If I purchase one of the OutBack Radians or SMA Sunny Island Inverter/Chargers, do I still need a charge controller?
Posted by Frank Molina, Stellavolta on May 19th 2020
Yes, you will still need a charge controller to regulate voltage going to the batteries.
Let's say for example, you have an OutBack Power Radian GS8048A-01 that is grid-tied. An inverter takes DC power from the batteries or from the solar modules and converts that power to AC for your load. An Inverter/Charger, however, can also do the reverse. It can pull AC and charge your batteries with DC. A separate charge controller with then regulate the battery voltage.