This Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 review looks at the controller many builders move to when a 100V model is no longer enough. It accepts up to 150V of panel open-circuit voltage and delivers 35A of charge current. That means you can wire more panels in series, use thinner PV cable and harvest more in low light. It supports 12, 24 and 48V batteries, plus 36V through software.
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 Review: Specs
| Spec | SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 |
|---|---|
| Max PV open-circuit voltage | 150V absolute (coldest conditions), 145V start-up and operating |
| Rated charge current | 35A |
| Nominal PV power | 500W at 12V, 1,000W at 24V, 1,500W at 36V, 2,000W at 48V |
| Max PV short-circuit current | 40A |
| Max efficiency | 98% |
| Self-consumption | 20mA at 12V, 10mA at 48V |
| Default absorption / float (12V) | 14.4V / 13.8V, adjustable |
| Cable terminals | 16mm² (AWG6) |
| Operating temperature | -30 to +60°C, full output up to 40°C |
| Weight / size | 1.25kg, 130 x 186 x 70mm |
Source: Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 datasheet.
Source: Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 datasheet. Full output up to 40°C, no cooling fan.
What We Like
- Higher voltage headroom. 150V lets you run three or more typical residential panels in series. Higher string voltage means lower current, so cable losses drop.
- Partial shading tracking. Victron says the algorithm finds the true maximum power point when shade creates more than one peak on the curve.
- No fan. It is cooled passively and keeps full output up to 40°C.
- Eight preset charge algorithms on a rotary switch, plus full custom settings in VictronConnect.
- Bluetooth, VE.Direct and VE.Smart Networking. It can take battery voltage and temperature from a SmartShunt, BMV-712 or Smart Battery Sense.
What to Watch
- Cold-weather voltage. Panel voltage rises in the cold. Victron’s 150V figure is the absolute maximum in the coldest conditions, so size strings with margin.
- No load output. Unlike the small 75/15 and 100/20, the 150/35 has no load terminals. Run loads from the battery or a distribution panel.
- Only 500W at 12V. On a 12V battery, extra panel watts are clipped. If you have more than about 500W, a 24V or 48V battery or the 150/45 makes more sense.
Who It’s For
The 150/35 fits a 12V van or RV with around 500W of series-wired panels, or a 24V or 48V cabin with up to 1,000W or 2,000W. If you only have one or two small 12V panels, a 100/20 or 100/30 is cheaper.
Settings That Matter
- Battery voltage. Set it manually. A wrong voltage setting is the first cause Victron lists for PV-input shutdown errors.
- Lithium. The MPPT manual’s LiFePO4 defaults are 14.2V absorption for 2 hours and 13.2V float on 12V (28.4V and 26.4V on 24V). Expert mode adds low-temperature cut-off, re-bulk offset and tail current.
- Max charge current. Lower it if your battery or cabling needs less than 35A.
Setup and Troubleshooting Tips
- Voc too high in winter. Panel voltage rises in the cold. Stay under 150V absolute and 145V for start-up. Overvoltage shows as Error 33.
- “Why only 500W on 12V?” Output is capped at 35A. More panels on a 12V bank only help in poor light. On 48V, the same controller handles 2,000W.
- Error 38/39 or 80–88. Update the firmware, check the battery voltage setting and look for another charger set to a higher voltage. For Error 38, disconnect PV, then the battery, wait 3 minutes, and reconnect the battery first.
- Not starting in the morning. PV must be 5V above the battery to start.
- Low-temperature stop on lithium. The manual explains that charging may pause in the cold to protect lithium cells. That’s not a fault.
Worked Example: String Sizing at 150V
The 150/35 starts and operates up to 145V, with 150V as the absolute limit on the coldest morning.
| Panel Voc (label) | Panels in series | Nominal Voc | Cold estimate (+15%) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37V | 3 | 111V | about 128V | Fits |
| 37V | 4 | 148V | about 170V | Too high |
| 22V | 5 | 110V | about 127V | Fits |
| 22V | 6 | 132V | about 152V | Too high |
On the current side, 35A at about 14.4V is roughly 500W into a 12V battery, rising to about 2,000W at 48V. That’s why the same controller suits a small 12V van array and a much larger 48V cabin array.
Worked examples are arithmetic estimates from the published ratings above, not test results. Real numbers depend on temperature, cable runs, battery state and load.
Want the source figures? The SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 page on Victron’s site has the datasheet.
FAQ
Can I put 600W on a 150/35 with a 12V battery?
Yes, the controller limits its output to 35A, so you lose the extra watts at peak sun. Never exceed the voltage or 40A short-circuit limit.
Will it charge a battery that’s at zero volts?
Yes. Victron says it starts charging even from 0V and reconnects to a lithium battery after a BMS disconnect.
150/35 or 150/45?
Same case and voltage. The 150/45 gives 45A, which is 650W nominal at 12V.
Does the 150/35 have a cooling fan?
No. The datasheet lists no cooling fan and full rated output up to 40°C. Above that, the controller derates, so mount it with airflow around it.
Can I put three 400W panels in series on a 150/35?
Only if the combined cold-weather open-circuit voltage stays under 150V. Check the panel datasheet’s Voc and temperature coefficient.
150/35 or 100/50?
Choose the 150/35 for higher-voltage strings or 48V. On a 12V bank, the 100/50 gives more current.
Does the 150/35 work with 24V and 48V batteries?
Yes. It works with 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V batteries, with nominal PV ratings from 500W at 12V up to 2,000W at 48V.
Sources: Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 datasheet and product page (victronenergy.com); Blue Marine Power, “Victron SmartSolar MPPT Guide: Everything You Need to Know”.
Sources: Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 datasheet and MPPT solar charger manual (victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026).
Related: SunSwift 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller Review, BougeRV Arch Pro 200W Flexible Solar Panel Review, EcoFlow Delta 3 Max RV Boondocking, plus the Victron Energy Guide