A solar charge controller is a regulator for your solar batterythat prevents it from overcharging. Batteries are rated for voltage capacity,and exceeding that voltage can lead to permanent battery damage and loss of functionalityover time. Solar charge controllers act as a gate to your battery storagesystem, making sure damage doesn’t occur from overloading it.

       Chargecontrollers are only necessary in a few specific cases. Most commonly, you willwant to look into charge controllers if you are trying to install an off-grid solar system, fromrooftop systems to smaller setups on boats or RVs. If you are a homeownerlooking to install a solar array with a battery that is connected to theelectric grid, there is no need for a charge controller – once your battery isfull, excess energy will be directed to the grid automatically instead, helpingyou avoid overloading your battery.