Yash
A solar PCU is designed to maximize solar energy utilization and minimize your electricity bills.
A solar PCU (Power Conditioning Unit) is best suited for an off-grid solar power system.
Hence, they are also named Off-grid solar inverters.
What is an Off-Grid solar power system?
The off-grid solar power system works independently from the grid.
During the day, the solar panels take energy from the sun and run our electrical appliances.
In addition, the extra current produced is used to charge the batteries.
The batteries charged during the day store this energy in chemical form.
At night when the sunlight is not available, the batteries provide power to the house.
In any off-grid solar power system, battery charging is very important.
Otherwise, you cannot run the electrical appliances smoothly at the night.
Therefore, we need a device that makes the battery charging a priority.
Here comes the role of a Solar PCU.
Difference between a solar PCU and a solar inverter
The basic function of a solar PCU is similar to that of a solar inverter.
It converts direct current into alternating current and runs our electrical appliances.
But there is a slight difference in their working style.
The solar PCU is an upgraded version of a normal solar inverter and it is loaded with more features.
As it is designed for off-grid solar power systems.
Therefore, timely battery charging through maximum solar power utilization is its first priority during the day.
So that you get power from the batteries at night when the sun is not available.
It works in a manner that optimizes battery charging.
But the solar energy varies throughout the day due to many factors such as the rotation of the earth, latitude, climate, humidity, and more.
When the solar panels are not producing enough current, the solar PCU gives the task to the batteries to run the electrical appliances.
And when the stored energy in the batteries is depleted to the pre-determined level, the current is taken from the grid.
(In case, the system is connected to the grid)
The grid supply is used the last when no other alternatives work.
In this way, the grid power is used the least.
Hence, it tries its best in every situation so that you get a minimum electricity bill.
In short, the solar PCU works to get the maximum solar gain and reduces your electricity bill.
For that, it has in-built maximum power capturing mechanism.
The MPPT solar charge controller fitted in it extracts the maximum power from the solar panels.
Thus, making the most use of solar energy at any time.
And the extra power produced after feeding to the load goes inside the batteries for charging.
Features of a Solar PCU
Almost all branded solar PCUs come with the following common in-built features:
- Maximum power tracking through in-built MPPT solar charge controller
- Pure sine wave output that makes the appliance run smoothly with no noise.
- User-friendly LCD display showing different modes of operation such as solar, battery, or grid.
- Bi-directional PCU gives users the facility to set priority based on their energy requirements.
- It has the ability to handle power effectively during peak hours.
- In-built safety protections such as low battery indication, output overload, output short-circuit with solar, and more.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate link. This means that I receive commissions on every qualifying buying by the visitors. However, I fully recommend these poducts when it comes to maximum solar power utilization and reducing electricity bills.
Best Solar PCU in India
I feel that the basic working, functioning, and features of a solar PCU are clear in you remind.
Let us see some of the best Solar PCUs in the Indian market.
- Luminous Solar PCU – NXT + 3.75 kVA
- Microtek Solar PCU 3 k W/ 48 V
- Smarten Superb 2.5 kVA/24 V
- UTL Gamma Plus rMPPT solar PCU
Luminous Solar PCU – NXT + 3.75 kVA
Luminous always works passionately to come up with the most innovative solutions that make life easier.
It offers the widest range of efficient solar inverters in the market.
And one of its products is Solar PCU- NXT+ 3.75 kVA.
Unique feature: It has an intelligent 32 bits controller processor that provides you smooth electricity despite different situations by handling multiple algorithms effectively.
In addition, it has dual MCB protection against short circuit current.
It is certified to national and international standards for safety, efficiency, and reliability.
This pure sine wave product weighs 50 kg and comes with 24 month warranty.
Microtek
Microtek is a household name in India. It provides a wide range of power products.
Under solar solutions it has:
- Solar PV modules
- Solar PCU
- Solar Management units
- Grid-tied solar solutions
It makes highly efficient solar PCU that have 2 modes of operation:
One is a normal mode to maximize the power available to the user
And another is a solar mode which helps the user to minimize the electricity bill.
Its MPPT-based solar PCU 3 kW/48 V is unique in itself in that is designed to get the maximum benefit from solar energy and minimize your electricity bill.
It has options for selecting your priority for solar, battery, or grid.
Smarten Superb 2.5 kVA/24 V
Smarten is a Gurugram-based start-up that is founded in 2014 that offers power backup products.
Its Smarten superb 2.5 kVA/24 V is capable of a 1 HP (less than 7-ampere rating) submersible pump.
That means it is an ideal solution for farmers looking for watering their fields through solar power.
It has a maximum running load capacity of 1800 watts.
This 21.5 kgs solar PCU comes with 24 months warranty for any manufacturing defect.
UTL Gamma Plus rMPPT solar PCU
It has a rapid MPPT charge controller in-built that extracts the maximum power from the solar panels.
This makes this product 30% more energy efficient that other conventional solar inverters available on the market.
This pure sine wave PCU has a wide operating temperature range of 0 to 50ᵒC.
Solar PCU FAQ
Q1. Difference between VA and Watts in inverter
Both are units of electrical power.
Watts represents the real power while VA shows the apparent power.
For resistive loads, watts are equal to the VA.
In the case of inductive loads, the real power is less than the apparent power.
The formula can be shown as:
Watts = power factor x VA
The power factor is less than 1
For example, a solar PCU with an apparent power of 2000 VA with a power factor of 0.9 will give
Watts = 0.9 x 2000 VA
= 1800 watts
When you are running any inductive load such as a motor or pump then you need to look at the power factor of the PCU.
Q2. What size of solar PCU is best for me?
As a general thumb rule, the size of your solar inverter should be equal to or a small percentage higher than the power rating of your solar panels.
For example, 3 kW solar panels should connect to 3 VA or slightly higher to run the load effectively.
Q3. What is the role of an MPPT charge controller in a PCU?
The MPPT charge controller tracks and captures the maximum power from the solar panels and feeds it into the batteries.
In this way, they charge in less time and we get power back for the night.
PWM or MPPT: Which is the best solar charge controller?
Q4. Who should buy a solar PCU?
Solar PCU is ideal for off-grid solar solutions.
However, they work equally efficiently in situations where grid supply is irregular.
Also, this is a good buy for people living in regions where grid prices are high.
A PCU maximizes solar power utilization and tries its best to use grid power the least.
Hence, saves money.
I like the concept of PCU explained in your post. Its utility in using solar in off-grid mode has been very well captured. FAQs shared are also relevant for the topic.