In this section, you can set up the EV charging scenario. Different functions are available for modelling that have been described below.
Function
SolarPlus helps calculate how much solar energy is available for EV charging with a smart charger that uses excess solar, and optionally tops up the car from the grid. models how much the EV will be charged from excess solar, and how much from t
Set target kWh/day.
In each time period, SolarPlus calculates how much excess solar there is available (that would normally be exported to the grid), and allocates it to EV charging instead.
EV charge starts when the amount of solar production is 1.4kW higher than loads consumption and battery charge. For example if between 10am and 11am, 5kWh of solar is produced, and only 1kWh is needed for other loads, then there is 4kWh will be sent to the EV.
If there is only 500W excess solar available, then the EV charger will not start.
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EV charge stops when the target kWh/day charge requirement is reached, or if available excess solar drops below 1.4kW.
When grid boost is selected, if the target kWh/day is not reached by solar by the time that the grid boost is available, (ie if it is cloudy, or the other loads are too high), then the remainder of the target kWh/day is drawn from the grid at the time you specify. therefore, it is recommended to specify grid boost starts in late afternoon or evening depending on charge time requirements and off peak tariffs.
Eg if they really need at least 40% charge by 3pm to go and pick up the kids, then set 2 grid boost time ranges, 1 at 2pm for an hour, and the other later in the evening during off-peak tariff period.
Savings
EV smart charger
EV Specs
Firstly, you need to know how much energy the EV requires per day. Most customers don’t know the kWh figure, so to calculate it,
Select the EV model from the drop-down. Most of the EVs available on the market are present in that list. If you do not find the model you are looking for, email us at support@solarplus.co with the EV details (mainly the kWh capacity and the driving range on full charge). You can override the default battery capacity and range for the vehicle.
Enter how far they drive on average per day.
From this, SolarPlus calculates the total daily EV energy needs. You can also override this figure (eg increase it if you think they have a lead foot.)
Saving and Loading profiles:
Give the profile a meaningful name (eg ABC Smart Charger with grid boost for Tesla 3, 50km/day)
The saved profile contains all of the information entered on the page.
You can also choose to save the profile to your library for future use on other quotes. Once saved, please refresh your browser in order for the profile to appear in your list of profiles.
Once saved you can check the performance with and without the EV charger by unloading the profile. When it is loaded, the Green tick appears. To re-load,
Current EV scenario
Next, enter how the EV is currently being charged from the grid. The time ranges can be entered at an hourly level on the 24-hour clock. To specify multiple ranges for the same weekday, click on “+Weekly Range”.
Click on the “Copy weekday to weekend” button to copy the same ranges from the weekday to the weekend.
Set the charge rate - maximum power rating in kW.
Click on the “In addition to load profile” checkbox if the EV details mentioned are not a part of the consumption profile loaded on the Energy page.
Smart charge scenario
In this section, you need to mention the details of when the EV will be plugged in for charging. The time ranges can be entered at an hourly level on the 24-hour clock. To specify multiple ranges for the same weekday, click on “+Weekly Range”.
Click on the “Copy weekday to weekend” button to copy the same ranges from the weekday to the weekend.
Set the charge rate from solar - maximum power rating in kW.
Based on the time range, solar will be used for EV charging when excess solar is available.
Boost from grid
This option can be used to trigger EV charging from the grid when solar is not available.
The time range needs to be entered to specify which times of the day grid charging can be activated.
You will also need to mention the maximum allowed power drawn from the grid in kW.
EV export to grid
This feature is still in the development and testing stage.
Allow EV charge from home battery
This function is still in the testing and development stage.