Best Solar Chargers
Best home chargers for solar & other renewable energy supplies
- October 27, 2023
Looking for an eco-friendly way to charge your electric vehicle in the UK? Solar Compatible EV chargers are a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint while still enjoying the convenience of charging their car at home. In this guide, we will explore the best solar EV chargers available in the UK, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed purchase decision. From charging capacity to compatibility with different EV models, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive into the world of solar EV chargers and discover the best options for your sustainable driving needs.
Best Solar Charger
The Zappi Charger is our top pick for solar and other renewable energy suppliers
Best Budget Solar Charger
The Hypervolt Charger offers a great solar charging experience and can be installed for under £1000
Best All rounder
The Indra Smart Pro Charger has tariff integration and solar matching capabilities.
Best Solar Home EV Charger
Zappi 2.1 Charger
The Zappi Charger has been designed with Solar charging in mind. With optional charging modes that allow it to use 100% green energy generated from your own home solar PV system or wind generation it is an ideal choice for solar panel users.
It can monitor your solar generation and the energy coming from the grid and will start charging your EV at the point it detects there is surplus solar. This means that you can charge your car using free energy from the sun, which increases the return on investment (ROI) for your solar panels and electric car. The charge mode can be changed before or during a charge, and it has three types of charging modes: Fast, ECO, and ECO+.
Zappi Quick Specs
- 7kW Power Output (22kW Three-phase also available)
- Tethered (Type 2) & Untethered Available
- Black & White Models
- UK Manufacturer
Zappi Solar Features
- Use 100% Green Energy when available & automatically switch when you a solar surplus detected
- Monitor solar generation via the app
- Three easy to use modes Fast, ECO & ECO+ for easy solar management
- Wind Turbine integration for extra green energy
- EV Tariff integration
Why We like it for solar charging
The Zappi charger has long been the go to home charger for solar panel owners. The charging modes allow for better control of the power sources and are simple to use. No one wants to have to spend too much time monitoring their charger usage, but we also want to save money, the Zappi allows for this and given myenergie prioritising this we think its a great long term choice for EV charging with solar panels.
Best Budget EV Charger for Solar
Hypervolt Charger
The Hypervolt Home charger is an electric vehicle charging station that allows you to charge your car at home. Now available as the Hypervolt Home 3.0. The charger is designed with a sleek and modern look and is equipped with advanced features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, smart home integration, and cloud and app control.
The solar charging mode offers two options for charging your car:
‘Super Eco Mode’ which solely uses solar energy to charge your car, requiring a minimum of 1.4 kW/6 amps power/current.
‘Eco Mode’ which prioritizes solar energy but switches to a stable 1.4 kW trickle charge from the grid and solar or just the grid if the sun goes in or energy produced drops too low.
Hypervolt Quick Specs
- 7kW Power Output
- Tethered Unit - Type 1 or 2 - 5m/ 7.5m/ 10m
- Solar & Tariff Integration
- 3 Year Warranty
Hypervolt 3.0 Solar Features
- EV Tariff integration - Automatic integration to the cheapest off peak rates
- Super Eco & Eco Modes
- Use only solar or gird & solar automatically
Why We like it for solar charging
The Hypervolt comes in cheaper than the Zappi at around £200-300 after installation. This keeps the total charger cost under the £1000 mark which we class as one of the cheaper options on the market. Despite the price tag the eco modes still allow for great control of solar features.
The tariff integration is ‘out of the box’ and makes a great alternative to the Zappi with very comparable features and specs.
Best All Rounder Solar Charger
Indra Smart Pro
The Indra Smart PRO is a reliable charger that can charge at speeds of up to 7.4 kW. With several advanced features, including scheduled charging, tariff mode, and solar integration, which allows users to charge their car directly from the sun.
If you have solar panels installed at home, you can use them to power your EV charger. The charger will utilize any excess solar power that is not being used by your home to charge your EV, provided it is plugged in. It is important to note that you may only have excess solar power during the sunnier months of the year, and the surplus power must be greater than 6 Amps or 1.4kW for your vehicle to use it.
To activate this you can click ‘Use solar’ in the easy to use app. This will override any previous schedules you have in place.
Indra Smart Pro Quick Specs
- 7.4kW Power Output
- Tethered (Type 2) & Untethered Available
- Wi-Fi, 4G or Ethernet connection
- UK Manufacturer
Indra Smart Pro Solar Features
- Solar Matching
- Easy On Solar Setting in App
- EV Tariff integration
Why We like it for solar charging
The Indra Smart Pro is a very popular British EV charger. It feels like one of the smartest charger on the market and the app is consistently reported to be one of the easiest to use.
For solar charging we like the simplicity of turning on solar charging via the app. Not quite as many money saving modes as the Zappi, but it integrates with EV Tariffs well and comes at a slightly lower price point.
There are a lot more installers on the market for this charger giving it more options to get an installation in your area vs the Hypervolt.
Solar EV Charging - How to pick the right one
Main Solar Features
When choosing an EV charger that works with solar panels, there are several key features to consider.
- Compatibility with Solar Panels
- App monitoring
- Tariff Integration
- Eco Charing modes
Comaptibility with Solar Panels
While you can use all EV chargers with solar panels, some chargers are designed to be integrated automatically with your solar output. Given the cost of charging your EV and the investment required for solar panels we recommend using a charger which integrates well, in order to make the most of your solar output and reduce charging costs.
App Monitoring Features
Energy Consumption Tracking
Energy consumption tracking is an essential feature for users who want to monitor their solar panel-generated energy usage effectively. This feature allows the users to view the charging history, current energy consumption, and cost savings generated from solar energy. Some EV chargers, such as the Indra Smart PRO and Zappi v2, provide comprehensive energy consumption tracking and reporting through their dedicated app. This will enable users to make informed decisions based on their energy usage patterns.
Charging Schedule Management
Charging schedule management is a crucial feature for users who want to maximise their solar energy usage and minimise costs associated with charging their electric vehicles. With charging schedule management features, users can set up customised charging schedules that prioritise solar energy in peak generation periods. For example, the Hypervolt Home 2.0 and Wallbox Pulsar Plus offer smart scheduling options that allow users to automate their charging, ensuring the highest possible use of solar energy.
Remote Access and Control
The ability to remotely access and control the EV charger is a significant advantage for users, as it provides increased flexibility and convenience. With remote access, users can monitor their charger’s status, start or stop charging sessions, and adjust settings without being physically present at the charger. For instance, the Wallbox Eco-Smart Solar EV Charging system offers a user-friendly app with remote access and control features, making it easier for users to manage their solar-integrated EV charger in real-time.
Considering these app monitoring features can greatly enhance the user experience and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient charging system for electric vehicle owners with solar panels.
Eco Modes and Energy Saving Options
When selecting an EV charger for solar panels, it is essential to consider eco modes and energy-saving options. These features enable you to maximise the use of solar energy and reduce your reliance on grid power while charging your electric vehicle. In this section, we will discuss key features and options that contribute to a more sustainable and efficient EV charging experience.
Some EV chargers offer energy management systems that allow you to charge your vehicle using only the green energy generated by your solar panels, or a mix of green and grid energy. For example, Wallbox provides Eco-Smart solar EV charging as a feature in their Pulsar Max and Copper SB models. This capability lets you choose between fully green or mixed charging modes, depending on your energy production and consumption at home.
App monitoring is another crucial aspect of energy-saving options. Many modern EV chargers are equipped with integrated mobile apps that help you track your energy usage, solar production, and charging progress. This real-time data allows you to make informed decisions about when and how to charge your vehicle, taking advantage of solar energy when it’s most abundant. Some apps also offer remote control and scheduling functionalities, enabling you to charge during off-peak hours and minimise your costs further.
In addition to eco modes and app monitoring, some chargers are more energy-efficient than others.
Aside from these features, it’s important to look for chargers that are compatible with all common EV types and offer flexible cable length options. This will ensure that your EV charger can accommodate your current vehicle and any future models you may own.
In summary, when searching for an EV charger to pair with your solar panels, considering eco modes, energy-saving options, app monitoring, and compatibility is key to making an informed decision. These features not only contribute to a cost-effective and sustainable charging experience but also help you harness the full potential of your solar energy system.
EV Tariff Integration
ntegrating electric vehicle (EV) chargers with solar panels within home settings is an excellent way to promote green energy usage, and it is even more advantageous when the chargers can be synchronised with specialised energy tariffs. This section will discuss the importance of energy tariff integration for solar-compatible EV chargers and will provide an example of a smart charging solution.
Ensuring EV chargers work well with energy tariffs optimises the charging performance and efficiency of the system. It allows users to schedule their charging sessions during periods with lower tariffs, thereby reducing overall energy costs. Several chargers can automatically integrate with tariffs through smart scheduling, which enhances the user experience and maximises the benefits of solar energy.
One service offering tariff integration is Intelligent Octopus, which delivers green electric vehicle charging through its next-generation platform. By providing six hours of cheap, green energy during off-peak hours (11.30 pm to 5.30 am) at a rate of 10p per kWh, users can charge their EVs more sustainably and affordably. The Intelligent Octopus app lets users set their charging preferences, so they are always in control of their energy usage.
You can check the latest EV Tariff Offers here
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