Quick Answer: Before buying, verify your panels, charge controller, batteries, and inverter all work together. This tool runs 13 compatibility checks — including Canadian cold-weather battery warnings.
Select your components step-by-step below and get instant pass/warning/fail results for free.
Choose your system voltage. This determines how all components connect together. Higher voltage = more efficient for larger systems.
The compatibility checker runs 13 rules against your selected components. Each returns a Pass ✅, Warning ⚠️, or Fail ❌:
| # | Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panel Voltage vs Controller | Cold-weather Voc can exceed controller limits and destroy it |
| 2 | Panel Power vs Controller | Too many watts causes overheating and power clipping |
| 3 | Battery Voltage vs System | Battery bank voltage must match your system voltage |
| 4 | Battery Voltage vs Inverter | Wrong voltage prevents startup or causes damage |
| 5 | Charge Current vs Battery | Too much charge current can damage battery cells |
| 6 | Inverter Draw vs Battery Discharge | Inverter shuts down if battery can't supply enough current |
| 7 | 🇨🇦 Cold Weather Charging | LiFePO4 cannot charge below 0°C — critical for Canadian winters |
| 8 | Series/Parallel Limits | Exceeding manufacturer's max config voids warranty and risks damage |
| 9 | Panel String Configuration | More than 3 parallel strings requires a combiner box |
| 10 | Inverter Sizing | Inverter must handle both continuous and surge loads |
| 11 | Component Quality Match | Mixing budget and premium tiers creates system bottlenecks |
| 12 | MPPT vs PWM Controller | PWM with series panels wastes 20–30% of available power |
| 13 | Wire Sizing Estimate | Minimum copper wire gauge for your array current |
No — the tool only checks components you've selected. If you skip a step, related rules are skipped. For the most complete results, enter all four components.
LiFePO4 lithium batteries cannot be charged below 0°C without internal heating. Charging at freezing temperatures causes lithium plating, which permanently damages the cells and can create a safety hazard. On the Canadian Prairies and in Northern Canada, winter lows routinely hit −30°C to −50°C. This tool flags the issue automatically based on your province selection.
Voc (open-circuit voltage) rises as temperature drops. A panel rated at 45V Voc at 25°C might produce 54V or more on a −30°C Alberta morning. If your charge controller is rated for 150V and you have 4 panels in series, cold-weather voltage can exceed the limit and instantly destroy the controller. This tool calculates cold-weather Voc automatically using each panel's temperature coefficient.
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controllers step down high panel voltage to battery voltage, converting the difference into additional charging current — recovering 20–30% more energy. PWM controllers simply connect panels directly to batteries, so any panel voltage above the battery voltage is wasted as heat. For any system with panels in series, or panels with Vmp significantly higher than battery voltage, MPPT is required.
The detailed report includes full technical calculations for every check, wire sizing and fuse recommendations, a complete shopping list with estimated Canadian prices, installation tips for cold climates, seasonal energy production estimates, and battery runtime calculations.
The database includes 80 popular components available in Canada. If your specific model isn't listed, choose the closest equivalent by specs (wattage, voltage, capacity). You can also contact us to request it be added.
Use these calculators alongside the compatibility checker to fully plan and size your off-grid system: