Hello,

 

I am about to pick up a newish Enyaq 80 Sportline. I currently have a 4kW solar panel system that on a cloudy day will generate about 1.0 - 1.2kWhr back to the grid. I understand there is a minimum power requirement to charge an EV battery of 1.4kW. If this is correct, I will not be able to charge my car until my 'available' generation exceeds 1.4kW (solar panel output minus household usage).

 

Is my understanding correct? Is this a Skoda imposed power limitation or the EV charger manufacturer limitation? Can either minimal power limit be reduced to allow me to charge the car battery when I am generating enough to export to the grid?

 

I was thinking of going for a Mappi 2 charger, do other EV chargers have a lower minimum power requirement?

 

Many thanks in anticipation. 

AFAIK EV chargers do not take their power exclusively from your own solar cells.

 

If the power generated by your solar cells is less than all loads (including changing your Enyaq) are demanding then the difference is taken from the incoming supply from the National Grid.

1 hour ago, Badger49 said:

Is my understanding correct? Is this a Skoda imposed power limitation or the EV charger manufacturer limitation? Can either minimal power limit be reduced to allow me to charge the car battery when I am generating enough to export to the grid?

Your understanding is partially correct. Although you will be able to charge your car with a small amount of import from the grid.

This limitation is due to some vehicle's onboard charger behave funny when dropped below certain speed, it is enforced by Zappi to ensure good compatibility.

Zappi may be able to reduce this on a per-car basis but I don't think they are going to open that can of worms.

 

Most EV chargers will not able to adopt charging speed based on solar production. On a cloudy day you have 1 kW excess, on a sunny day you should have more excess, and Zappi is said to be able to adjust to that.

 

Be aware, kW (power) is different to kWh (energy). If are saying 1.2 kWh back to the grid is over a whole cloudy day, that means you are only really generating ~200 W excess power.

I think you need 1.4kW to use the Zappi eco+ mode.

The Eco mode I think it uses the solar and tops the grid up to meet mimum

Then fast is just use it from wherever as long as it's fast

Many thanks to all your helpful responses.

 

Does the Hypervolt EC Charger have a minimum charge level of 1.4kW, similar to the Zappi. Are there any chargers that integrate with solar panel output that charge at less than this amount?