panel connection to run a fan

[unclejack3]

hi,
i have been given a 170w OC 44v solar panel but am not sure how to connect it to a fan or a battery...a fan is 12 v so hooking it directly would blow it up I assume and so is a battery,so how do i run these items at 12 v,,,if i dont use a battery the watts will fluctuate with the sun,,,do i need a controller of sorts?
thx.

[PNPmacnab]

First thing you need is a use. Batteries are not always required. Some type of controller is needed.

[SunEagle]

Unless the fan motor was designed to run directly from a solar panel you need to connect the motor to a battery and charge the battery with the panel.

What are the 170watt panel specs (Vmp, Imp, Voc) That will help identify both the charge controller and battery Ah size.