Charging with the sun: Why combining solar panels, EVs, and smart charging technology is worth It

1. Solar surplus charging: Making the most of solar power 

Solar surplus charging uses the excess electricity generated by your solar power system to charge your EV. Excess power is any electricity that is not immediately consumed in your household or stored in a battery storage system and would otherwise be fed back into the public grid. 

With a smart charger, such as the Elli Charger 2, this excess solar energy is directly transferred to your EV’s battery. This way, your car becomes an integral part of your home energy management system, increasing the use of your solar energy and significantly improving the economic efficiency of your solar system. 

What does this mean in real terms? 

If you charge your car using self-produced solar power, your cost per 100 km is only €1.30, compared to approximately €11 per 100 km for a conventional gasoline-powered car¹. 

Benefits: 

• Lower energy costs by reducing grid electricity consumption 

• More efficient use of self-generated solar energy 

• Contribution to reducing the strain on the power grid 

2. Solar forecast charging: Charging based on the weather 

Another innovative way to optimize EV charging is solar forecast charging. This feature uses real-time weather data to manage charging sessions intelligently. The charging technology analyzes solar radiation forecasts and schedules the charging process accordingly. 

Example: 

If strong sunlight is forecasted for the afternoon, the charger plans charging sessions to maximize the use of solar power. This ensures that your vehicle is charged in the most eco-friendly and cost-effective way. Additionally, ISO 15118 allows the Elli Charger 2 to charge seamlessly at power levels below 1.4 kW, unlike many other models. This means you can utilize up to 20 percent more solar charging time². 

Benefits: 

• Maximized use of solar energy under optimal conditions 

• Automated charging scheduling based on weather forecasts 

• No Modbus meter required – purely digital operation 

3. Price-optimized charging: Taking advantage of dynamic electricity tariffs 

For times when solar power is not sufficient, such as at night or on cloudy days, price-optimized charging can be a smart alternative. Smart chargers leverage dynamic electricity tariffs, shifting charging times to periods when electricity prices are at their lowest. 

Since dynamic tariffs fluctuate hourly, charging is automatically scheduled for the cheapest time slots. This means you charge your EV at the lowest possible cost while also helping to balance the electricity grid. 

Benefits: 

• Lower electricity costs by adjusting to off-peak tariffs 

• Flexible use of grid electricity at minimal cost 

• Combination with solar power for optimal savings 

Conclusion: Smart technologies for a sustainable future 

The combination of solar power, EVs, and smart charging technologies such as solar surplus charging, solar forecast charging, and price-optimized charging makes EV charging more eco-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective. 

Savings potential example: