1. Solar panels
Solar panels are the core components of DC solar power generation system. It undertakes the primary task of converting light energy into electrical energy. It is mainly composed of semiconductor materials, which are made into pieces of cells, and multiple cells are combined into solar panels in series and parallel. For example, a battery may only generate a voltage of 0.5V, and when 36 batteries are connected in series, they can generate a voltage of about 17V, which meets general use needs. It has certain anti-corrosion, windproof, hailproof and rainproof capabilities, and can be widely used in different outdoor environments to ensure that solar energy is converted into DC power as stably as possible under different climatic conditions. At the same time, according to the needs of users or the scale of power generation, several solar panels will be connected in a specific way to form a solar cell array to achieve higher voltage and power output to meet the different needs of actual application scenarios.
2. Charge controller
The charge controller is an indispensable part of the DC solar power generation system. In terms of composition, it is mainly composed of a dedicated processor CPU, electronic components, display, switch power tube, etc. Its basic function is to provide the best charging current and voltage for the battery. For example, it can charge the battery quickly, smoothly and efficiently according to the battery's power state, and try to reduce additional losses during the charging process to extend the battery's service life. Another important function is to protect the battery, prevent the battery from overcharging and over-discharging, and ensure the safety and stability of the battery. At the same time, the charging controller can also record and display various key data in the system, such as charging current, voltage value, etc., so that users can understand the relevant parameters of the system's charging status at any time, so as to promptly detect whether the system has abnormal charging conditions.
3. Battery
The battery mainly plays the role of energy storage in the DC solar power generation system. Generally, the battery in the photovoltaic power generation system is a lead-acid battery, but in some small and micro systems, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries or lithium batteries can also be used. When there is sufficient sunlight during the day, the solar panel generates direct current, and the battery will store excess electricity at this time. At night or on cloudy days when the light is insufficient and the load needs electricity, the battery will release the stored electricity to provide power support for the load and maintain the system's continuous and stable power supply. The battery is in a floating charge and discharge state in the whole system. During the day, it may also supply power to the load while charging; at night, it mainly supplies power to the load. Another thing to note is that different types of batteries have different performances. For example, lead-acid batteries are relatively cheap, but lithium batteries have advantages such as higher energy density, lighter weight, and longer cycle life. When choosing a battery, you need to consider multiple factors such as cost, life, and charging efficiency.