Best 60A+ MPPT Solar Charge Controllers

In this article, we review the most powerful MPPT solar charge controllers used for large off-grid solar power systems and advanced backup power systems. These high-performance controllers from the leading manufacturers have input voltages ranging from 150V to 300V and output currents from 60A to 100A.

For smaller-scale systems which require smaller capacity solar charge controllers see our Best MPPT solar charge controllers up to 40A review

Comparison Criteria

In this review, we rank the various charge controllers according to a number of important criteria including build quality, MPPT tracking speed, battery voltage options, operating temperature range (heat dissipation), monitoring, real-world testing and price. In our reviews, we generally rank performance and quality over affordability, so in this case, we rate the unit price lower than other criteria. This may come across as bias towards the more expensive models, but this is generally correct according to real-world results and longer term testing and performance monitoring.

• Build quality

• MPP Tracking speed/accuracy

• PV Voltage range

• Monitoring/communications

• Battery voltage options

• Configuration options

• Price

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Best Professional MPPT Solar Charge Controllers Full review

Here we compare the world’s most powerful MPPT solar charge controllers for professional off-grid solar and backup power systems. These higher voltage (Voc) controllers allow for larger solar arrays and longer strings using more powerful solar panels. As expected, the cost of these controllers is much higher than lower voltage entry-level models, with most units priced from $800 to $1500. Note prices can vary greatly depending on the country and local taxes.

See the full video review here…

	Model	Current A	Max Voc	Batt Voltages	Price $
	Victron SmartSolar	100 A	250V	12V 24V 48V	$$$$
	AERL SRX Coolmax	60 A	300V	24V 48V	$$$$
	Midnite Classic 150	96 A**	150V*	12V 24V 48V 60V	$$$$
	Outback Flexmax	80 A	150V	12V 24V 48V 60V	$$$
	Studer VT80	80 A	150V	12V 24V 48V	$$$$
	Schneider Conext MPPT 60 150	60 A	150V	12V 24V 48V 60V	$$$
	Morningstar Tristar MPPT	60 A	150V	12V 24V 48V	$$$$

* Hyper Voc = Extends Voc to 198V

** Limited to 86A when used with a 48V battery

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1. Victron Energy SmartSolar

SmartSolar 250V range

Pros:

• Fast MPP Tracking

• 250V max Voc

• Advanced monitoring app included

• Optional Battery sensor

• Wide operating temperature up to 60 degC

• Inbuilt temp sensor

• Programmable relay

• 5 year warranty

Cons:

• No display included

• Expensive $$$$

Download the full Victron Smartsolar datasheet

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2. AERL Coolmax

SRX Coolmax

Pros:

• Very fast MPP Tracking

• 300V max Voc (Now up to 600V)

• Monitoring via USB

• High-res colour touch-screen display

• Internal cable connections

• Wide operating temperature up to 60 degC

• Inbuilt temp sensor

• Over-sizing solar allowed up to 4.2kW

• CANbus & RS485 connections

Cons:

• Expensive $$$$

• No remote monitoring (yet)

Download the full AERL Coolmax specification datasheet

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3. MidNite Solar Classic

Classic 150

Pros:

• Extremely fast MPP Tracking

• Remote monitoring

• Large Clear LCD display

• Internal cable connections

• Wide operating temperature up to 60 degC

• Battery voltages from 12V up to 72V

• Ground Fault (GDF) and ARC fault detection - USA approved

• Two Auxiliary outputs

• HyperVoc extents Voc up to 198V

• 5-year warranty

Cons:

• Power de-rating starts at temperatures above 25degC

  

  Download the full Midnite Classic specification datasheet

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4. Outback Power Flexmax

Flexmax 60A or 80A

Pros:

• Fast MPP Tracking

• Advanced remote monitoring

• Large Clear LCD display

• Internal cable connections

• Wide operating temperature up to 60 degC

• Battery voltages from 12V up to 60V

• Low cost

• 5 year warranty

Cons:

• Limited to 150 Voc

• Limited to 3kW - Over-sizing PV not advised

Download the full Outback Flexmax specification datasheet

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5. Studer VT-80

VarioTrack VT-80 MPPT

Pros:

• Fast MPP Tracking

• Internal cable connections

• 12V, 24V or 48V batteries

• High weather rating to IP54

• 5 year warranty

• Various Comms options

• Parallel up to 15 units

Cons:

• No display included

• Expensive $$$$

• Limited to 150 Voc

See full Studer VT-80 specification data-sheet

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6. Schneider Conext

Conext MPPT 60 150

Pros:

• Fast MPP Tracking

• Internal cable connections

• Battery voltages from 12V up to 60V

• Backlit display

• 3 year warranty

Cons:

• Limited remote monitoring

• Operating temperature up to 45 degC

Download the full Schneider Conext specification datasheet

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7. Morningstar Tristar

Tristar MPPT 60

Pros:

• Very fast MPP Tracking

• Internal cable connections

• 12V, 24V or 48V batteries

• Epoxy encapsulation, marine rated terminals

• 5 year warranty

• Ethernet connection included

Cons:

• No display included

• Expensive $$$$

• Limited to 150 Voc

Download the full Tristar TS-MPPT specification datasheet



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