Srne ML2420 - Introduction to Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology

Fig. 1-1 Product appearance and interfaces
No.
Item
No.
Item
○
1
Charging indicator
○
10
Battery "+" interface
○
2
Battery indicator
○
11
Battery "-" interface
○
3
Load indicator
○
12
Load "+" interface
○
4
Abnormality indicator
○
13
Load "-" interface
○
5
LCD screen
○
14
External temperature
sampling interface
○
6
Operating keys
○
15
RS232 communication
interface
○
7
Installation hole
○
8
Solar panel "+"
interface
○
9
Solar panel "-"
interface
1.4 Introduction to Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is an advanced charging technology that
enables the solar panel to output more power by adjusting the electric module's
operating status. Due to the nonlinearity of solar arrays, there exists a maximum
energy output point (maximum power point) on their curves. Unable to
continuously lock onto this point to charge the battery, conventional controllers
(employing switching and PWM charging technologies) can't get the most of the
power from the solar panel. But a solar charge controller featuring MPPT
technology can continuously track arrays' maximum power point so as to get the
maximum amount of power to charge the battery.
Take a 12V system as an example. As the solar panel's peak voltage (Vpp) is
approximately 17V while the battery's voltage is around 12V, when charging with a