Solar Street Light Controller Guide: PWM & MPPT Technology, Features, Installation & Troubleshooting | Queneng
With the advancement of clean energy technologies, solar street lights are widely used in roadways, public areas, and campuses. This guide explores the development of solar street light controllers—from basic to PWM and MPPT technologies—covering working principles, main features, installation steps, and common troubleshooting methods.
1. Evolution of Solar Controller Technologies (Focus on Street Lighting)
| Controller Type | Generation | Control Method | Efficiency | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Controller | 1st Gen | Direct Battery Connection | 70–76% | Obsolete, low energy utilization |
| PWM Controller | 2nd Gen | Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) | 75–80% | Widely used, improves charging performance |
| MPPT Controller | 3rd Gen | Maximum Power Point Tracking | 99% tracking, 97% system | High-end, real-time optimization |
2. Key Features of Modern Solar Street Light Controllers
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Overcharge protection
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Over-discharge protection
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Overcurrent and short-circuit protection
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Overvoltage protection
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Anti-backflow protection (Schottky diode)
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Lightning surge protection (MOV)
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Solar panel reverse polarity protection
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Battery reverse polarity and open-circuit protection
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Temperature compensation
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Self-check functionality
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Recovery interval mechanism
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Light-sensing auto control (light on at night, off during the day)
3. Installation and Configuration Guide
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Install in a well-ventilated area, avoid moisture and direct sunlight.
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Connection order: Battery → Solar Panel → Load.
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Avoid oversizing solar panels or load devices.
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Always check polarity before connection.
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Do not use non-solar sources to simulate charging.
4. Common Faults & Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause & Solution |
|---|---|
| Light not working | May be daytime (light control active), low battery, or incorrect wiring. Try reinstallation. |
| Works at first, fails after days | Loose or incorrect solar panel connection. |
| Light control doesn’t respond | Light control feature not enabled or wired wrong. |
| Controller LED blinks rapidly | Load short circuit or overload. |
5. Charging Protection Modes (12V System Reference)
| Mode | Voltage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk Charge | 14.6–14.8V | High current, fast charging |
| Equalization | 14.4V | Rebalances cell voltages, improves battery health |
| Float Charge | 13.5–13.7V | Trickle charging to maintain charge |
| Low Voltage Cutoff | 11.1V | Prevents deep discharge, extends battery life |
✅ Conclusion
Modern solar controllers with MPPT tracking, intelligent charging, environmental compensation, and robust protections significantly boost system performance and durability. They are becoming essential for advanced solar street lighting systems.
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FAQ
Solar Street Light Lufei
What type of solar panel is used in the solar street light?
Queneng’s solar street lights use high-efficiency monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels, which provide better performance and greater energy conversion efficiency than standard panels.
Battery fundamentals and basic terms
What is battery internal resistance?
Battery and Analysis
What are the possible reasons why batteries and battery packs cannot be discharged?
2) Insufficient charging or no charging;
3) The ambient temperature is too low;
4) The discharge efficiency is low. For example, when a large current is discharged, an ordinary battery cannot discharge electricity because the internal material diffusion speed cannot keep up with the reaction speed, causing the voltage to drop sharply.
What are the advantages of lithium polymer batteries? What are the advantages?
2) Can be made into a thin battery: with a capacity of 3.6V and 400mAh, its thickness can be as thin as 0.5mm;
3) Batteries can be designed in various shapes;
4) The battery can be bent and deformed: the polymer battery can be bent up to about 900 degrees;
5) Can be made into a single high-voltage battery: a battery with liquid electrolyte can only produce a high-voltage polymer battery by connecting several batteries in series;
6) Since it is liquid-free, it can be combined into multiple layers within a single chip to achieve high voltage;
7) The capacity will be twice that of a lithium-ion battery of the same size.
Municipal and Public Infrastructure
Can solar streetlights be integrated with smart city solutions?
Yes, our solar streetlights can be integrated with IoT systems for smart monitoring, remote control, and data analytics, making them ideal for modern smart cities.
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What is a paper battery? What is a smart secondary battery?
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