Bako Simon Technologies Solutions

08/07/2026

Doing that which we know how to do best.

08/07/2026

Engineer, HOW CAN I TAKE CARE OF MY BATTERY SO IT LAST LONGER?

One afternoon, Mama Amanda asked me:

“Engineer… batteries are expensive. What can I do to make mine last for many years?”

I smiled and told her:

“Mama Amanda batteries don't suddenly become bad.”

Most batteries age because of how they are used every day.

Because in solar…

A battery's lifespan is determined more by good habits than by good luck.

Tip #1: Avoid Deep Discharging

One of the fastest ways to shorten a battery's life is to drain it completely every day.

Instead:

Recharge before it becomes critically low.

For lead-acid batteries:

Avoid taking them to very low charge regularly.

For lithium batteries:

Although they tolerate deeper discharge, avoiding complete discharge still helps extend their lifespan.

Tip #2: Charge It Fully Whenever Possible

A battery performs best when it is properly recharged.

If your battery is always left partially charged:

Capacity may reduce over time.

Make sure:

Your solar panels are correctly sized.

Your charge controller settings are correct.

Tip #3: Use the Correct Charging Settings

Mama Amanda asked:

“But Engineer… isn't charging just charging?”

I replied:

“No.”

Different batteries require different charging voltages.

For example:

Lithium

Tubular

AGM

Gel

Each has recommended charging parameters.

Wrong settings can shorten battery life.

Tip #4: Don't Overload the Battery

A small battery powering heavy loads every day experiences more stress.

Choose a battery that matches:

Your appliances

Your backup time

Your daily energy consumption

Tip #5: Keep Battery Terminals Clean

Dirty or loose terminals can cause:
Voltage drop

Heat

Poor charging

Inspect terminals regularly and tighten them when necessary.

Tip #6: Protect It From Excessive Heat

Heat is one of a battery's biggest enemies.

Install batteries in a place that is:

Dry

Well ventilated

Away from direct sunlight

High temperatures accelerate battery aging.

Tip #7: Use the Right Charge Controller

A quality charge controller helps prevent:

Overcharging

Over-discharging

Incorrect charging

This is one of the most important investments in a solar system.

Tip #8: Perform Regular System Checks

Don't wait until something goes wrong.

Check regularly:

Battery voltage

Charging performance

Cable connections

Error messages

Small problems are cheaper to fix than major failures.

The Hidden Truth

I told Mama Amanda:

Many people replace batteries every few years...

Not because the batteries were poor quality -

but because they were poorly treated.

Simple Example

Two homeowners buy the same battery.

Home A:

Proper charging

Correct settings

Balanced loads

Battery lasts for years.

Home B:

Daily overloading

Deep discharge

Poor maintenance

Battery fails much sooner.

The difference wasn't the battery.

It was the care.

Final Answer

To help your battery last longer:

Avoid deep discharge

Recharge properly

Use the correct charging settings

Don't overload it

Keep terminals clean

Protect it from excessive heat

Use a quality charge controller

Inspect your system regularly

Final Advice

I told Mama Amanda:

“Don't wait until your battery starts complaining before you take care of it.”

Because in solar engineering:

A well-maintained battery can serve you faithfully for years, while a neglected one can become an expensive replacement much sooner.

I am Bako Simon Sajo
On a mission to Transform Power Challenges into Reliable Light in Africa.

Follow me If you want to avoid expensive mistakes and learn how solar really works, real-life tips, explanations, and insights on solar and renewable energy.

No noise just real knowledge.

If you find my teaching helpful comment "I'm Learning" and press the share button to benefits others. Let's Learn and grow together.

God bless you.

BAKO SIMON TECHNOLOGIES SOLUTION

23/06/2026

We are just a call/DM away.

23/06/2026

Difference Between MPPT and PWM Charge Controller - This One Confuses Many People.

One afternoon, Mama Amanda called me and said:

“Engineer… everybody keeps saying buy MPPT, avoid PWM. What is the actual difference?”

I smiled and told her:

“Mama Amanda both can charge batteries.”

But…

they do not collect and deliver solar energy the same way.

And understanding this can save money and prevent wrong expectations.

First: What Does a Charge Controller Do?

I told Mama Debo:

A charge controller sits between:

Solar panel

↓

Charge controller

↓

Battery

Its main job is to:

Control charging

Protect battery

Prevent overcharge

What Is PWM?

PWM means:

Pulse Width Modulation

Think of it as:

A smart switch.

PWM mainly pulls panel voltage close to battery voltage.

Example:

Panel = 36V

Battery = 24V

PWM may charge near battery voltage level.

Simple.

Reliable.

Lower cost.

What Is MPPT?

MPPT means:

Maximum Power Point Tracking

I told Mama Amanda;

MPPT works more like:

A smart energy converter.

It continuously looks for the panel’s operating point that can produce the most usable power.

Then converts it to suit battery charging.

Simple Example

Imagine:

Panel available power = 300W

With proper conditions:

MPPT may harvest more usable energy than PWM from the same panel.

That does NOT mean creating extra power.

It means using available power more effectively.

Main Difference

PWM

Simpler
Lower cost
Works well in smaller/basic systems
Panel voltage stays closer to battey

MPPT

More flexible with panel arrangement
Better utilization of panel output
Often preferred for larger systems
Handles higher panel voltage better

Does MPPT Mean Unlimited Charging?

No.

I told Mama Amanda;

Even MPPT cannot create energy.

If sunlight reduces…

available energy reduces too.

When Can PWM Still Make Sense?

PWM may still be practical where:

System is small

Panel and battery are well matched

Budget is tight

The Hidden Truth

Many people buy MPPT…

but never calculate:

Panel size

Battery size

Actual load

Controller alone does not fix design.

The Example I Gave Mama Amanda

I said:

“Mama Amanda imagine carrying water.”

PWM behaves more like:

Direct flow.

MPPT behaves more like:

Adjusting pressure to make better use of the water available.

Final Advice

MPPT and PWM both charge batteries.

But:

PWM is simpler

MPPT manages available solar energy more efficiently in many situations

Because in solar engineering:

The best charge controller is not the most expensive one - it is the one that matches your panel, battery, and system goal.

I am bako Simon sajo
On a mission to Transform Power Challenges into Reliable Light in Africa.

Follow me If you want to avoid expensive mistakes and learn how solar really works, real-life tips, explanations, and insights on solar and renewable energy.

No noise just real knowledge.

If you find my teaching helpful comment "I'm Learning" and press the share button to benefits others. Let's Learn and grow together.

God bless you.
Bako Simon technologies solution

23/06/2026

3rd phase almost done

Call in for urs

22/06/2026

First phase of the project successfully delivered.

Slide in for urs

22/06/2026

19/06/2026

Engineer, How Do I Know How Many Solar Panels I Need for a 16kW Deye Inverter With a 51.2V 10.2kWh 200Ah Battery?

One afternoon, Mama Amanda asked me:

“Engineer, I have a 16kW Deye inverter and a 51.2V 200Ah (10.2kWh) battery… how many solar panels do I need?”

I smiled and told her:

“Mama Amanda… this is one of the biggest misunderstandings in solar.”

Because in solar…

The inverter size does not directly determine panel quantity.

And…

Battery size also does not directly determine panel quantity.

Solar panel sizing starts from energy requirement and charging target.

First: Let’s Understand Your Battery

Battery specification:

51.2V × 200Ah

Stored energy: ≈ 10.2kWh

That means:

If fully charged:

You have approximately:

10.2 units of energy available

(Actual usable energy depends on battery settings.)

Now Here Is the Question Most People Forget

I asked Mama Amanda:

Do you want panels to:

Option 1:

Recharge battery only?

OR

Option 2:

Power daytime load AND recharge battery?

Because these give completely different answers.

Rule 1: Start With Battery Charging Power

A practical starting point for a battery of this size is often to provide enough solar to comfortably recharge it during available sun hours.

For a 10.2kWh battery:

A solar array around:

4kW–6kW

may already charge it reasonably under many conditions.

Example:

Using:

620W panels

You may be looking around:

7–10 panels

as a rough charging-oriented starting point.

But Wait… You Have a 16kW Inverter

This is where people get confused.

A 16kW inverter does NOT mean:

You must install 16kW of panels immediately.

That inverter is simply the maximum conversion capability.

Your actual panel count depends on:

Daily energy consumption

Battery charging target

Available roof space

MPPT limits

Very Important: Check These 4 Specifications

Before deciding panel quantity, check the inverter manual for:

Maximum PV input power

MPPT voltage range

Maximum PV current

Battery charging current

Because these determine what the inverter can safely accept.

Example Scenario

Suppose you install:

12 panels × 620W

Total: ≈ 7.44kW solar

That may already be enough for many residential systems.

But if daytime load is large…

You may increase further.

The Hidden Truth

I told Mama Amanda:

Many people buy:

Huge inverter

Huge battery

Too few panels

Then complain:

Slow charging

Poor rainy-season recovery

Panels are the income.

Battery is the savings account.

Inverter is the spending machine.

The Example I Gave Mama Amanda

I said:

“Amanda, owning a 100-liter fuel tank does not mean you must fill it with one fuel nozzle.”

What matters is:

How much fuel you consume and how fast you refill.

Same with solar.

Final Advice

For your:

16kW inverter
51.2V 200Ah (10.2kWh) battery

Do not size panels from inverter rating alone.

Check:

Daily load (kWh)

Inverter PV limits

Battery charging goals

Expansion plans

But as a rough charging-oriented starting point:

Around 4–6kW of panels may already make sense in many setups.

Because in solar engineering:

Panel quantity should be determined by energy demand and charging strategy - not by inverter size alone.

I am BAKO SIMON SAJO
On a mission to Transform Power Challenges into Reliable Light in Africa.

Follow me If you want to avoid expensive mistakes and learn how solar really works, real-life tips, explanations, and insights on solar and renewable energy.

No noise just real knowledge.

If you find my teaching helpful comment "I'm Learning" and press the share button to benefits others. Let's Learn and grow together.

God bless you.

Bako Simon technologies solution

18/06/2026

BEFORE YOU SPEND MILLIONS IN SOLAR ENERGY, READ THIS FIRST.

One afternoon, Mama Amanda called me in a serious tone.

She said:

“Engineer… I’m ready to install a very big solar system.

I don’t want to hear generator sound again in my life.”

I smiled and asked her one important question:

“Mama Amanda. have you first calculated what you truly need?”

She became quiet.

That’s when I told her:

“Many people spend millions on solar… but still end up disappointed.”

The Biggest Mistake in Solar

Most people think solar is about:

Big inverter
Plenty batteries
Plenty panels

But solar is not about buying the biggest system…

It is about buying the right system.

Bigger Does Not Always Mean Better

I explained to Mama Amanda:

A badly designed:

10kVA system

Can perform worse than a properly designed:

3kVA or 5kVA system

Why?

Because solar depends on:

Proper calculation
Proper load management
Proper battery sizing
Proper charging design

Not just equipment size.

Know Your Load First

Before spending money, ask yourself:

What appliances do I really want to power?
Which ones are essential?
Which ones consume the most energy?
How many hours do I need backup for?

Because:

A pumping machine behaves differently from: TV,Fan,Freezer and Air conditioner

Battery Storage Is Where Many People Fail

This surprised her.

Some people buy:

Big inverter
Plenty panels

But use:

Small battery bank

So during the night:

Battery drains quickly
Backup becomes poor
Frustration starts

Solar Panels Must Match Consumption

I told Mama Amanda:

“If your energy usage is bigger than your charging capacity…”

Then every day:

Battery loses strength gradually

And people start saying:

“Solar battery no dey last.”

Meanwhile, the real problem is poor system balance.
Don’t Ignore Future Expansion

This is important.

Some people install systems with: No upgrade plan. Then later:

Inverter becomes too small
Charge controller becomes limited
Batteries become mismatched, a good solar design should allow growth.

The Example I Gave Mama Amanda

I told her:

“Solar is like building a kitchen.”

You don’t just buy plenty pots…

You first ask:

What exactly do you want to cook?

What You Should Do Before Spending Big Money

Carry out proper load assessment
Understand your daily energy usage
Separate essential and non-essential loads
Plan for future upgrades
Use quality components
Work with experienced installers

Final Advice

Don’t spend millions based on hype
Don’t copy another person’s system blindly
The best solar setup is the one designed around your actual needs
Good design saves more money than oversized equipment

After everything, Mama Amanda smiled and said:

“So solar success is not about spending the most money…”

I told her:

“Exactly.

In solar, proper planning is more valuable than expensive equipment.

I am Bako Simon technologies solution
On a mission to Transform Power Challenges into Reliable Light in Africa.

Follow me If you want to avoid expensive mistakes and learn how solar really works, real-life tips, explanations, and insights on solar and renewable energy.

No noise just real knowledge.

If you find my teaching helpful comment "I'm Learning" and press the share button to benefits others. Let's Learn and grow together.

God bless you.