Victron Energy solar charge controllers

Victron Energy manufactures reliable and efficient charge controllers for photovoltaic systems with batteries. We will help you choose and buy a suitable controller model for self-installation or we will design and build a power station on a turn-key basis.

Content

Controllers features
Controllers BlueSolar PWM
Controllers BlueSolar MPPT
Controllers SmartSolar MPPT
Controllers SmartSolar MPPT RS
Installation examples
Video about the controllers

Controllers features

Victron Energy controllers are charging batteries for autonomous or hybrid solar power stations directly from photovoltaic modules, without conversion to alternating current. User electrical appliances can also receive solar energy through the controller, but the presence of a batteries in such a system is necessary, since they acts as a buffer.

Attention! Always connect the batteries to the controller first, and only then— the solar modules. Disconnection should occur in the reverse order. If the sequence is violated, the controller may be damaged. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to minimize the risk of injury or fire.

In its simplest form, when all consumers are working on direct current (DC), stand-alone solar power system consists of three key components: solar modules, a controller and batteries:

If there are consumers working on alternating current (AC), then an inverter must be added to the system, which converts the direct voltage (DC) from the batteries and the controller into alternating voltage 230 volts (AC):

If you have an external public grid, you must also add a battery charger, or better — hybrid inverter-charger, which not only converts direct current into alternating current, but also allows you to charge batteries from the grid. In this case, we get hybrid solar power system:

In on-grid solar power systems charge controllers are not required since batteries are not used.

The company Victron Energy manufactures two types of solar controllers — PWM and MPPT. You can read about the fundamental difference between these two technologies in this document:

Which solar charge controller: PWM or MPPT?

Victron Energy controllers work with three types of lead-acid batteries: Gel, AGM or Flooded, and some models — with LiFePO₄ lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. To extend the life of the batteries, the controllers use a three-step charging algorithm «bulk ➝ absorption ➝ float».

Controllers BlueSolar PWM

PWM controllers Victron Energy — These are simple and inexpensive devices for charging batteries from photovoltaic modules. They are protected against overheating, overload, short circuit and reverse polarity.

Controller Victron Energy PWM BlueSolar Light

PWM controllers do not convert the input voltage and operate on the principle of pulse-width modulation . They connect the solar modules and batteries directly, adjusting the current by high-frequency interruptions:

Therefore, it is very important that the voltage of the solar modules is suitable for rechargeable batteries. For example, to charge a 12-volt battery it is necessary to use an 18-volt solar module (36 cells), and for a 24-volt battery, — 36-volt solar module (72 cells) or two series-connected modules of 18 volts.

Controller Victron Energy PWM BlueSolar Pro

Victron Energy BlueSolar PWM controllers are available in several models with different functionality and power. For example, the marking «12 / 24V-10A» means that the controller can charge batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 or 24 volts (automatically configured when connected), and the nominal charge/discharge current is 10 amperes. Consequently, the nominal output power of the controller in a 12-volt system will be about 120 watts, in a 24-volt — about 240 watts. This should be considered when choosing solar modules and when connecting the load.

Price in Bulgarian lev incl. VAT 20%

Specification PWM Light 12/24V

Specification PWM Light 48V

Specification PWM LCD & USB

Specification PWM Pro

Specification PWM DUO

Manual PWM Light 12/24V

Manual PWM Light 48V

Manual PWM LCD & USB 12/24V 5÷20A

Manual PWM LCD & USB 12/24V 30A & 48V 10÷30A

Manual PWM Pro

Manual Remote Panel for PWM Pro

Manual Software for PWM Pro

Manual PWM DUO

Manual Remote Panel for PWM DUO

Controllers BlueSolar MPPT

Victron Energy MPPT controllers constantly adjust the voltage of the solar modules, finding the maximum power point (Maximum Power Point Tracking) for specific weather conditions. Victron algorithms do this very quickly, which is especially noticeable in cloudy weather, when the illumination of the modules often changes.

For difference PWM, when using MPPT controllers, the voltage of the modules can be significantly higher than the voltage of the batteries, which reduces the energy loss in the cables. The MPPT controller reduce the output voltage to the level required to charge the batteries, proportionally increasing the current and preserving almost all the power produced by the solar modules.

Example, marking «MPPT 150 | 100» means, that the maximum input voltage from PV modules can be no more than 150 volts, and the output current is limited to 100 amperes. That controller can charge batteries with a nominal voltage of 12, 24, 36 or 48 volts. In a 48-volt system, the rated power of this controller will be 100 × 48 = 4 800  watt. Actual maximum power may be higher, for example — 5  800  watts when the system voltage reaches 58 volts.

The installed capacity of solar modules can exceed this level if you need to get more energy in cloudy weather. To select the optimal configuration, a special Victron Energy MPPT calculator is used. With large arrays of solar modules, several controllers can work in parallel.

The letters «Tr» in the label of the controller means that screw terminals are used to connect cables from the solar modules, and the inscription «MC4» means that special connectors are provided for this. This does not affect the cost.

Special cables allow you to connect the BlueSolar MPPT series controllers to your phone or computer for configuration and monitoring at close range:

Cables «VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart Dongle» and «VE.Direct to USB»

The configuration on BlueSolar MPPT series controllers and observe the basic parameters of their operation using the optional «MPPT Control» display:

In addition, Victron Energy MPPT controllers can be connected using the «VE.Direct» to Victron Energy GX devices for remote monitoring and statistics collection through free VRM Portal:

Real-time monitoring example

Statistics example in VRM Portal

Price in Bulgarian lev incl. VAT 20%

Specification BlueSolar MPPT 75|10÷15 & 100|15

Specification BlueSolar MPPT 100|30÷50

Specification BlueSolar MPPT 150|35

Specification BlueSolar MPPT 150|45÷100

Manual BlueSolar MPPT 75|10÷15 & 100|15

Manual BlueSolar MPPT 100|30÷50

Manual BlueSolar MPPT 150|35

Manual BlueSolar MPPT 150|45÷100

Controllers SmartSolar MPPT

Victron Energy MPPT controllers with the marking «Smart» have all the advantages of the BlueSolar MPPT series of controllers, but are additionally equipped with an integrated Bluetooth module, which allows you to connect the controller to your smartphone without using the special «VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart Dongle» cable.

Some versions of SmartSolar are equipped with «VE.Can» to synchronize up to 25 controllers during parallel operation:

SmartSolar controllers can be equipped with screw clamps for connecting PV cables (marking «Tr»), or special connectors (marking «MC4»). This does not affect the cost:

As an option for the most powerful versions, the «SmartSolar Control» display is available, showing the main parameters of solar modules and batteries:

Price in Bulgarian lev incl. VAT 20%

Specification SmartSolar MPPT 75|10÷15 & 100|15÷20

Specification SmartSolar MPPT 100|30÷50

Specification SmartSolar MPPT 150|35

Specification SmartSolar MPPT 150|45÷100

Specification SmartSolar MPPT 150|70÷100 VE.Can

Specification SmartSolar MPPT 250|60÷100

Manual SmartSolar MPPT 75|10÷15 & 100|15÷20

Manual SmartSolar MPPT 100|30÷50

Manual SmartSolar MPPT 150|35

Manual SmartSolar MPPT 150|45÷100 & 250|60÷100

Manual SmartSolar MPPT 150|70÷100 & 250|70÷100 VE.Can

Controllers SmartSolar MPPT RS

Price in Bulgarian lev incl. VAT 20%

Specification SmartSolar MPPT 450|100

Manual SmartSolar MPPT 450|100

Installation examples

NENCOM is an official dealer of Victron Energy equipment. With us you can buy a controller for self installation or order a complex service for the design and construction of a solar power station.

Installation of Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 150/35 controller for a solar power station in the city of Omurtag

Installation of Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 250/70 controller for a solar power station in the village of Govedartsi

Installation of Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 250/85 controller for a solar power station in Varna

Victron Energy Controller Video

Hybrid Solar Power Station Video using Victron Energy controller: