Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to page footer
Logo Solar Electric

Battery function and
Battery control with MDC

Two roles – two different tasks

Although the two terms sound similar, they play completely different roles within the system. It is important to distinguish clearly between them when planning, designing and expanding your solar panel system.

Battery mode – The inverter becomes a hybrid unit

The battery function activates an additional input on the inverter for connecting a battery storage system.

What exactly happens?

  • The 3rd MPP tracker is used as a battery input
  • The inverter can store and release energy
  • The system becomes a classic hybrid system (PV + storage)

Important to understand:

  • This is a local function of a single inverter
  • Exactly one storage system is connected per inverter
  • The storage system may consist internally of several batteries connected in parallel

In short: The battery function is what makes the use of storage possible in the first place.

Battery management with MDC – Multiple devices: one intelligent integrated system

Battery management using MDC (Multi Device Control) takes things a step further: here, several inverters are connected to form a single system and are controlled centrally.

What exactly happens?

  • One inverter takes on the role of the MDC controller (host)
  • Up to two further inverters are integrated as devices
  • The batteries of all devices are operated jointly and in coordination

The key strength:

  • Intelligent charging and discharging strategy across all storage systems
  • Consistent state of charge
  • Optimised utilisation of the total storage capacity in the system

Important to understand:

  • MDC is a system function – not a function of individual devices
  • The battery function remains the basis (each inverter has ‘its own’ system)
  • MDC coordinates these systems into a single storage network
  • The function is only available with PLENTICORE G3

In short: MDC ensures that multiple storage systems work together as a single large storage system.

The difference at a glance

Function Task Level Inverter
Battery function Connection and operation of a storage unit Single unit PLENTICORE plus G1/G2, PLENTICORE G3
Battery control with MDC Control of multiple storage units Overall system PLENTICORE G3

Typical application

  • Battery function: Detached
    house with one inverter and one storage unit
  • Battery control with MDC:
    More complex systems with multiple inverters
    (e.g. large roofs, different orientations or increasing storage requirements)

Conclusion: The battery function forms the basis for storage operation. Battery control with MDC is the intelligence that transforms multiple systems into an optimised overall system.