Electric Vehicles

Top 5 EV Chargers for Solar-Powered Homes

Discover the top 5 EV chargers for solar-powered homes, featuring compatibility, charging speed, and smart features for optimal energy use.

Last updated
November 13, 2024
Author: Matt from Currents
Learn about energy for your home or business.

Looking to charge your EV with solar power? Here's what you need to know:

  • Solar EV charging can save you over $1,000 annually compared to gas
  • 80% of EV owners charge at home
  • Key factors: compatibility, charging speed, smart features, installation

Top 5 EV chargers for solar homes:

  1. Zappi v2.1
  2. Hypervolt Home 3 Pro
  3. Indra Smart Pro
  4. Wallbox Pulsar Max
  5. Rolec WallPod SolarCharge

Quick Comparison:

Charger Max Power Solar Integration Price (approx.)
Zappi v2.1 7.4kW Advanced £800
Hypervolt Home 3 Pro 11.5kW Basic £750
Indra Smart Pro 7.4kW Advanced £950
Wallbox Pulsar Max 11.5kW Eco-Smart £700
Rolec WallPod SolarCharge 7.2kW Solar Only mode £899

These chargers help you:

  • Use excess solar energy
  • Schedule charging during peak sun hours
  • Balance home energy use with EV charging

Choose based on your EV's needs, solar system size, and desired smart features.

Zappi v2.1

Zappi v2.1

The Zappi v2.1 is the go-to solar-compatible EV charger. It's perfect for homeowners with solar panels or wind turbines who want to supercharge their green energy use.

What makes the Zappi v2.1 special?

  • It's flexible: Uses grid power, solar, or both
  • It's smart: Choose ECO, ECO+, or FAST charging modes
  • It's connected: Control everything through the myenergi app

Got a Type 2 electric vehicle? The Zappi v2.1 has you covered. It works with popular EVs like:

Car Brand EV Model Compatible
AUDI E-tron 50 YES
TESLA Model S YES
NISSAN Leaf E+ YES
KIA EV6 YES
BMW i3 (2014+) YES

Here's the tech stuff:

Specification Details
Rated Power 7kW (1-ph) or 22kW (3-ph)
Rated Current 32A max
Standby Power 3W

The Zappi v2.1 is built to last. It's weatherproof, comes with a 3-year warranty, and works indoors or outdoors.

One happy user said:

"Very happy using our Zappi v2 using our solar to charge our ZS. Getting lots of charging done with the car in the carport during lockdown in Melbourne."

Don't have solar yet? No problem. The Zappi v2.1 works as a standard charger now and is ready for when you go solar later.

2. Hypervolt Home 3 Pro

Hypervolt Home 3 Pro

The Hypervolt Home 3 Pro is a 7kW Type 2 EV charger that plays nice with solar-powered homes. Here's why it's worth a look:

  • It's solar-friendly with three charging modes
  • You can control it with an app
  • It's built tough (IP66 rated)
Feature Details
Power Output 7kW AC
Cable Options 5m, 7.5m, 10m
Smart Modes Boost, Eco, Super Eco
App Control Yes
Solar Compatible Yes
Warranty 3 years (5 years optional)

The solar modes are:

  1. Boost: Full power + extra solar
  2. Eco: 1.4kW minimum, solar first
  3. Super Eco: Solar only (1.4kW minimum)

It costs about £1,050 with standard setup, or from £15.98 per month.

The app tracks energy use and source, helping you keep tabs on power consumption and solar production. The charger also adjusts to your home's power use to avoid overloads.

Want a sleek look? You can dim or turn off the LED lights using the app.

3. Indra Smart Pro

Indra Smart Pro

The Indra Smart Pro is a 7kW fast charger that's perfect for solar-powered homes. Here's why it's cool:

It works with your solar panels, schedules charging when electricity is cheap, and has special safety tech.

Feature Details
Power Output 7.4kW AC
Cable Type Tethered
Dimensions 200 x 420 x 130mm
Weight 3.5kg (no cable)
Protection Rating IP64, IK10
Warranty 3 years (can extend)

The Smart Pro has three charging modes:

  1. Solar matching (uses extra solar energy)
  2. Off-peak charging (charges when electricity is cheaper)
  3. Load curtailment (stops your home's electricity from overloading)

With the Indra app, you can check charging status, see energy usage, change settings, and find cheaper charging times.

It costs £1099 (with VAT). That's a bit pricey, but it can help cut your energy bills.

A user in northern Scotland said:

The charger worked great after installation, even in our remote area. The attached cable is super convenient.

The Smart Pro connects via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or 4G, and gets remote updates to stay current.

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4. Wallbox Pulsar Max

Wallbox Pulsar Max

The Wallbox Pulsar Max is a compact EV charger that packs a punch. It's perfect for solar-powered homes and comes with some nifty features.

Here's the lowdown:

  • It charges at up to 22 kW
  • It plays nice with solar setups
  • It's got smart charging with dynamic power management
  • You can control it with an app
  • It even works with Alexa and Google Assistant

This little powerhouse weighs just 1.3kg and comes in six matte colors. It's tough enough for indoor or outdoor use.

For solar homes, the Pulsar Max really shines. Its Eco-Smart mode lets you charge using:

  1. 100% solar energy
  2. A mix of solar and grid power

It's smart enough to spot extra solar energy, so you can make the most of your green setup.

The Pulsar Max is no dummy when it comes to smart charging. It can:

  • Adjust charging speed to avoid overloading your home's electrics
  • Balance power between your home and EV
  • Schedule charging for off-peak times

You can control everything through the myWallbox app. Even without internet, you can manage your charging thanks to Bluetooth.

At 7.4kW, it'll add about 50km of range per hour. It works with all Type 2 EVs, so it's a safe bet for most EV owners.

Price-wise, you're looking at about $424.75. You can spread the cost with interest-free payments if you like. It comes with a 3-year warranty, which is always nice.

5. Rolec WallPod SolarCharge

Rolec WallPod SolarCharge

The Rolec WallPod SolarCharge is perfect for EV owners with solar panels. It's all about charging your car with the sun's power.

Here's the scoop:

  • Two charging modes: Solar + Grid and Solar Only
  • Charges up to 7.2kW (28 miles/hour)
  • Works with all EVs and plug-in hybrids
  • Tethered (5m cable) or untethered versions
  • Price: £899 with OZEV grant (£1,099 without)

Solar + Grid mode uses solar first, then grid power if needed. Solar Only? It's ALL sun power.

The 2.4" LCD screen shows you:

  • Total charging kilowatts
  • Solar vs. grid power
  • Percentage of solar charging
  • CO2 savings

Track your charging with the ev.energy app. You can monitor solar generation, use boost mode, and track costs.

No Wi-Fi here. It uses a built-in modem with a roaming SIM card.

Installation takes about 2 hours. Built-in fault detection means no earth rod needed.

Kieron Alsop, Rolec's MD, said:

"We are delighted to launch EV SolarCharge, which is the first of a number of exciting new smart enabled EV charging products due to be released over the next month or so."

Bottom line: If you've got solar panels and an EV, the Rolec WallPod SolarCharge is a solid pick. It's all about making the most of your home's solar setup.

Comparison Table

Here's a quick look at the top 5 EV chargers for solar-powered homes:

Feature Zappi v2.1 Hypervolt Home 3 Pro Indra Smart Pro Wallbox Pulsar Max Rolec WallPod SolarCharge
Max Charging Rate 7.4kW 11.5kW 7.4kW 11.5kW 7.2kW
Solar Integration Advanced Basic Advanced Eco-Smart Solar + Grid / Solar Only
App Monitoring Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (ev.energy app)
Cable Length 6.5m 5m 5m 5m 5m
Outdoor Rating IP65 IP65 IP65 NEMA 4 Not specified
Smart Scheduling Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Warranty 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years Not specified
Price (approx.) £800 £750 £950 £700 £899 (with OZEV grant)

What stands out:

  • Zappi v2.1 and Indra Smart Pro are solar integration champs.
  • Want speed? Hypervolt Home 3 Pro and Wallbox Pulsar Max charge at 11.5kW.
  • Rolec WallPod SolarCharge is the only one with a "Solar Only" mode.
  • All chargers have apps for tracking energy use and charging.
  • Zappi v2.1's cable is 1.5m longer than the rest.

Choosing your charger? Think about what matters most to you. Need top-notch solar integration? Go for Zappi v2.1 or Indra Smart Pro. Want faster charging? Check out Hypervolt Home 3 Pro or Wallbox Pulsar Max. After a simple solar-only option? Rolec WallPod SolarCharge might be your pick.

Conclusion

Solar-powered EV chargers are changing the game. They cut costs and shrink carbon footprints. Here's what you need to know:

1. Money Savings

Solar EV charging saves you cash. AAA found that EVs cost $2,100 less per year to power than gas cars. Add solar, and you save even more.

2. Energy Independence

Solar EV chargers mean:

  • Lower electric bills
  • More control over energy use
  • Charging during power outages

3. Environmental Impact

EVs are already greener than gas cars. Solar charging takes it up a notch.

4. Smart Charging

Top chargers like Zappi v2.1 and Indra Smart Pro use AI to:

  • Schedule charging when solar output peaks
  • Monitor home energy use
  • Auto-charge with extra solar power

5. Government Support

There's help to go solar:

  • 30% federal tax credit on solar systems
  • Up to $7,500 in tax credits for EV purchases
Charger Key Feature Price (After OZEV Grant)
Zappi v2.1 Advanced solar integration £949
Hypervolt Home 3 Pro Fast 11.5kW charging £775
Indra Smart Pro Smart solar optimization £649
Wallbox Pulsar Max High-speed charging £899
Rolec WallPod SolarCharge Solar-only mode option £899

As solar tech improves and more people buy EVs, expect to see more homes with solar panels and EV chargers.

When choosing a solar EV charger, consider:

  • Your car's compatibility
  • Your solar setup
  • Smart features for optimal charging

With the right setup, you can drive on sunshine, save money, and help the planet. The future of solar-powered EVs is bright!

FAQs

Do they make solar powered EV chargers?

Yes, solar-powered EV chargers exist. They use the sun's energy to juice up electric vehicles. Many work with home solar systems, even if they're not directly connected to solar panels.

Take the myenergi Zappi, for example. It's a hit with solar panel owners. Why? It can use extra solar energy to charge your EV. Talk about making the most of your setup!

What EV chargers play nice with solar panels?

A bunch of EV chargers work well with solar systems. Here are a few standouts:

Charger What's Cool About It
myenergi Zappi Can use 100% solar power, top-notch solar integration
EVIOS One Smart features, user-friendly, solar-compatible
Hypervolt EV Charger Sleek design, tech-savvy, works with solar

These chargers help you squeeze every drop of value from your solar panels by:

  • Using extra solar energy for your EV
  • Charging when the sun's shining brightest
  • Balancing your home's energy use with EV charging

When picking a solar-friendly EV charger, keep in mind:

  • What your EV needs for charging
  • How big your solar system is and how much it puts out
  • Smart features that help you use solar power efficiently

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