What do the different solar charging modes do?

The ev.energy app has three solar charging modes that operate in different ways, offering you the choice of how best to power your vehicle with sunshine. 

Solar and Grid

Solar and Grid takes into account your excess solar production while smart charging, ensuring no interruptions even during low solar production. It charges your EV from your solar panels as much as possible, as long as it's not more expensive than regular smart charging. The charge rate remains constant throughout the process, providing a stable and predictable charging experience. ‍It’s designed for drivers who do not have a connected EV or integrated charger which is compatible with the Solar Only or Solar Smart modes. 

Key features‍

• Charging speed: It maintains a steady charge rate by supplementing solar power with grid power as needed. 
• Power source: Primarily uses solar power, but relies on grid power when solar is insufficient, ensuring continuous charging. ‍
• Cost efficiency: Costs can vary depending on grid power usage. ‍
• Carbon footprint: The environmental impact depends on the mix of energy resources in the local grid, but, by using as much solar as we can, we help reduce your carbon footprint.

Solar Only  

Solar Only is the purest form of eco-friendly electric vehicle charging, using only excess solar energy from your home’s solar panels. This mode is entirely dependent on solar availability and does not align charging with your “ready-by” schedule. It ensures no grid energy is used, maintaining a zero-cost, zero-carbon footprint. ‍It’s designed for drivers who want to prioritise solar use over everything else and have a connected Tesla or integrated charger (Rolec, waEV-charge, Indra, Wallbox, Maxeon).

Key features

• Charging speed: It fluctuates with solar availability. 
• Power source: Exclusively uses surplus solar power; grid power is never used. 
• Cost efficiency: Free when sunlight is abundant. ‍
• Carbon footprint: This mode has the lowest environmental impact as it relies solely on renewable solar power.

Solar Smart  

Solar Smart will use Solar Only when the sun is shining, then top up with grid energy at low-cost, low-carbon times to get to your desired charge level. You get the cheapest, greenest charge every time, guaranteed. It’s designed for drivers who seek the optimal balance between eco-friendliness, cost efficiency, and convenience, and have a connected Tesla or integrated charger (Rolec, waEV-charge, Indra, Wallbox, Maxeon). 

Key features

• Charging speed: The speed is adapted based on solar and grid conditions, optimising for efficiency.  
• Power source: Both solar and grid power. 
• Cost efficiency: It uses grid power only when it’s the lowest-cost option, ensuring the most cost-efficient way to charge. ‍
• Carbon footprint: It reduces the environmental impact by maximising the use of excess solar energy and then drawing the greenest available power from the grid.