Is it proper to network multiple solar charge controllers to a single battery bank?

Phocos has been designing and manufacturing solar charge controllers for over 20 years, so we have a lot of experience to help customers with these types of Off-Grid solar questions.  Of course photovoltaic system designs, applications, customer demands, and installation site conditions are diverse, so there are often different considerations to factor in when making product decisions.  The following video helps to explain these considerations with wiring diagram examples to illustrate these concepts, or here is a brief, written summary for reference. 

The use of multiple solar charge controllers to charge a single battery bank may be preferred or even required in some systems for several reasons. The optimal charging current of battery banks with large capacity can exceed one single charge controller’s current capability. System specifications may change through time and the addition of loads can lead to adding more battery capacity. Separating PV strings with panel shading into multiple MPPT solar charge controllers can be more optimal and cost can also play a role in choosing multiple regulators instead of one with higher ratings.

Phocos solar charge controllers are designed to be paralleled on a single battery bank. For instance, up to three CX-N-UP solar charge controllers can be used to charge a single bank without the need of charge synchronization cables. Several conditions must be met though to ensure proper charging in a multiple controllers network. Watch the video below for more info!