PWM Solar Controller vs MPPT Solar Controller | What’s Best for Your RV?

PWM Solar Controller vs MPPT Solar Controller. Navigating the products needed to power your RV/Van/Skoolie/Airstream off grid can be confusing and unnerving. Understanding what works best for your needs is key. Therefore, determining whether a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) or Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller is right for you will go a long way in making your solar journey an informed one.

Why do you need a solar controller?

A solar controller is an essential component of your solar system. The controller maintains the life of your battery by protecting it from overcharging. When your battery has reached a 100% state of charge, it limits the current flowing into your batteries from your solar array.

So what is the difference?

A PWM Controller is, in essence, like an electric switch between the solar panels and the battery. They are effective in slowly lowering the amount of power going to your batteries as they get closer to fully charged, thus keeping them at a fully charged state while eliminating the stress on your batteries.

In addition to the above, an MPPT Controller is also capable of converting excess voltage to amperage. The benefit of this feature is it keeps an optimal charge voltage while requiring less time to fully charge your batteries. It also allows for reduced amounts of power loss as the conversion of excess voltage to amps allows for greater voltage to travel through the panel to the controller.