Solar integration with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is an innovative and sustainable approach that combines solar power generation with the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Couple examples why this integration is important: <br>
*To ensure proper solar integration functionality, it is essential to begin with the correct physical installation. This involves having a smart energy meter installed in the electric circuit that possesses the necessary communication functionality and is included in our [[Smart energy meters|energy meter list]]. The meter plays a crucial role in detecting negative current flow, indicating when energy consumption is lower than solar generation, and feeding it back into the electrical grid. For effective communication, the charger must be interconnected with the meter.
*Solar-integrated TeltoCharge can be connected to the local electrical grid, allowing it to draw power from the grid when solar energy production is insufficient or when there is a high demand for charging. This ensures uninterrupted charging availability for EV owners. <br>
*Solar Power Offset: When solar panels produce excess electricity that is not immediately consumed by TeltoCharge, it can be fed back into the electrical grid. This process, known as net metering or feed-in tariff, allows the solar system owner to earn credits or receive compensation for the surplus energy supplied. <br>
*To ensure proper solar integration functionality, it is essential to begin with the correct physical installation. This involves having a smart energy meter installed in the electric circuit that possesses the necessary communication functionality and is included in the [[Smart energy meters|energy meter whitelist]]. The meter plays a crucial role in detecting negative current flow, indicating when energy consumption is lower than solar generation, and feeding it back into the electrical grid. For effective communication, the charger must be interconnected with the meter.
*When the meter detects surplus energy, it relays this information to the charger. Based on the charger's internal configurations, it will determine whether to initiate the charging process or not. It is important to note that this process depends on the specific configurations set within the charger.
*When the meter detects surplus energy, it relays this information to the charger. Based on the charger's internal configurations, it will determine whether to initiate the charging process or not. It is important to note that this process depends on the specific configurations set within the charger.
*More information about smart meter set-up can be found here
Once the charger is properly connected to the electrical grid and interconnected with the energy meter, the next step is to configure the settings using the Teltonika Energy app.
Below, you will find a comprehensive list of the settings that should be adjusted to achieve solar functionality.
Solar modes could be switched in the middle of the charging process.
[[File:Modes.png||frameless|thumb|none]]
#[[File:SolarOnly.png||frameless|thumb|none]]'''Solar only''' - This setting specifies charging process is initiated solely using green energy. (The minimum required value is 6 Amps)<br>
#[[File:ECO.png|frameless||thumb|none]]'''ECO charging minimum''' - This setting specifies the minimum value required to commence the charging process.
#[[File:ECO+.png||frameless|thumb|none]]'''ECO+ surplus minimum''' - This setting requires the minimum value of surplus solar energy to be reached in order to initiate a charging session. If the minimum value of surplus energy is not achieved, the charger will remain in "On hold" mode, awaiting additional surplus energy.
== Charging mode explanation ==
This section demonstrates the charger's behavior in various configurations and its response to fluctuations in available solar power. In these examples we'll be using 3 phases as input for the charger. For detailed information on diagnosing the power draw on each phase, please check [[In app diagnostics|this app guide]]. The TeltoCharge EV charger offers three solar charging modes, each providing unique benefits for different situations:<br>
*'''Solar only charging profile''' - In this profile, the charging process is initiated solely using green energy. The minimum of '''6A''' is required to charge the EV. If there is less surplus energy available than 6A, the charger will remain in "On hold" mode.
:'''3 phase charging examples:'''
:[[File:EVC2 solar only 3 phase v2.png|900x900px]]
:
:'''Single phase charging examples:'''
:[[File:EVC2 solar only 1 phase v2.png|900x900px]]
*'''ECO charging profile''' - In this mode, charging begins by combining available solar power with energy from the grid. Smart meter is required to measure the power available on each phase. In the following examples, the '''"from grid"''' value indicates the amount of available power used from the grid. A minimum of '''6A''' is required to charge the EV.
Once the charger is properly connected to the electrical grid and interconnected with energy meter, the next step is to configure the settings using the Teltonika Energy app. Below, you will find a comprehensive list of the settings that should be adjusted to achieve DLM functionality.
:The user sets ECO minimum value, which is the minimum charging current the solar power will be used for. The system prioritizes using all available solar power to meet this target, supplementing it with grid power only as needed. However, if no solar power is being generated, the charger will still use the grid to charge the vehicle, provided enough power is available.
If you want to enable solar functionality, it is important to correctly configure the general meter settings and dynamic load balancing settings
:
:'''Single phase charging examples:'''
:
:[[File:EVC2 eco 1 phase v2.png|800x800px]]
*'''ECO+ charging profile''' - In this profile, the charging process is initiated using a combination of solar energy and grid energy. The user sets the ECO+ surplus minimum value, which determines the minimum surplus energy required to start the charging process. If the set value is less than 6A, the difference in current will be supplemented with grid power.
# '''Energy meter type''': You need to select the type of smart meter (1-phase/3-phase). Please note that you can use a 1-phase charger even if the meter is 3-phase.
:'''3 phase charging examples:'''
# '''RS-485 baud rate''': This information can be found in the meter settings accessible through the meter display. If the client cannot locate it, it is recommended to refer to the smart meter manual.
:[[File:EVC2 ecoplus 3 phase v2.png|900x900px]]
# '''RS-485 parity/stop bit''': Similarly, this information can also be found in the meter settings. If the client is unable to find it, it is advisable to check the smart meter manual.
# '''Measuring device''': The meter should be selected. For UK chargers, it is possible to choose CT clamps.
== Additional information ==
# '''Energy meter address''': This information can be found in the meter settings accessed through the meter display. If the address cannot be located, it is recommended to consult the smart meter manual.
There is additional information that is important to know when using solar integration, specifically regarding timers that dictate the start and stop of the charging process.
# '''Current update interval''': By default, it is set to 3 seconds. However, there may be cases where the user needs to increase this value. For instance, if there are significant distances between the chargers and the smart meter or if there are numerous interconnected chargers.
ECO+ surplus minimum - This setting requires the minimum value of surplus solar energy to be reached in order to initiate a charging session. If the minimum value of surplus energy is not achieved, the charger will remain in "On hold" mode, awaiting additional surplus energy.
If the Solar or ECO+ mode is being utilized and there is a sudden shortage of solar power to charge the electric vehicle, the charger will compensate by drawing charging power from the grid for the following 30 seconds and limiting the maximum current to 6 A until enough solar power is available. If no sufficient solar power is available after 30 seconds, the charger will transition to the "On hold" state and await the availability of additional surplus energy. Once there is sufficient surplus energy, the charger initiates a 2-minute timer during which it verifies the sustained presence of enough solar energy. After the 2-minute interval elapses, the charger proceeds to the charging process.
ECO charging minimum - This setting specifies the minimum value required to commence the charging process.
This mechanism ensures that the charging process is flexible and responsive to variations in solar energy availability. By incorporating timers and checks, the charger optimizes the utilization of solar power while maintaining a reliable and efficient charging experience for electric vehicle owners.
To ensure proper solar integration functionality, it is essential to begin with the correct physical installation. This involves having a smart energy meter installed in the electric circuit that possesses the necessary communication functionality and is included in our energy meter list. The meter plays a crucial role in detecting negative current flow, indicating when energy consumption is lower than solar generation, and feeding it back into the electrical grid. For effective communication, the charger must be interconnected with the meter.
When the meter detects surplus energy, it relays this information to the charger. Based on the charger's internal configurations, it will determine whether to initiate the charging process or not. It is important to note that this process depends on the specific configurations set within the charger.
Solar settings
Once the charger is properly connected to the electrical grid and interconnected with the energy meter, the next step is to configure the settings using the Teltonika Energy app.
Below, you will find a comprehensive list of the settings that should be adjusted to achieve solar functionality.
Open "User Menu"
Open "Installer Menu"
Open "Dynamic Load Balancing" menu
Enable "Load Balancing"
Enable "Solar Charging"
If smart meter is connected with RS485 wires, press "Search For Device"
*ONLY If TeltoCharge is unable to identify energy meter - use "Manual Setup"
Charging modes
From Charging menu, user you will be able to select which Charging mode shall be used for the next session and adjust the solar mode’s charging output
Frameless
Solar modes could be switched in the middle of the charging process.
thumb
thumbSolar only - This setting specifies charging process is initiated solely using green energy. (The minimum required value is 6 Amps)
thumbECO charging minimum - This setting specifies the minimum value required to commence the charging process.
thumbECO+ surplus minimum - This setting requires the minimum value of surplus solar energy to be reached in order to initiate a charging session. If the minimum value of surplus energy is not achieved, the charger will remain in "On hold" mode, awaiting additional surplus energy.
Charging mode explanation
This section demonstrates the charger's behavior in various configurations and its response to fluctuations in available solar power. In these examples we'll be using 3 phases as input for the charger. For detailed information on diagnosing the power draw on each phase, please check this app guide. The TeltoCharge EV charger offers three solar charging modes, each providing unique benefits for different situations:
Solar only charging profile - In this profile, the charging process is initiated solely using green energy. The minimum of 6A is required to charge the EV. If there is less surplus energy available than 6A, the charger will remain in "On hold" mode.
3 phase charging examples:
Single phase charging examples:
ECO charging profile - In this mode, charging begins by combining available solar power with energy from the grid. Smart meter is required to measure the power available on each phase. In the following examples, the "from grid" value indicates the amount of available power used from the grid. A minimum of 6A is required to charge the EV.
The user sets ECO minimum value, which is the minimum charging current the solar power will be used for. The system prioritizes using all available solar power to meet this target, supplementing it with grid power only as needed. However, if no solar power is being generated, the charger will still use the grid to charge the vehicle, provided enough power is available.
3 phase charging examples:
Single phase charging examples:
ECO+ charging profile - In this profile, the charging process is initiated using a combination of solar energy and grid energy. The user sets the ECO+ surplus minimum value, which determines the minimum surplus energy required to start the charging process. If the set value is less than 6A, the difference in current will be supplemented with grid power.
3 phase charging examples:
Single phase charging examples:
Additional information
There is additional information that is important to know when using solar integration, specifically regarding timers that dictate the start and stop of the charging process.
If the Solar or ECO+ mode is being utilized and there is a sudden shortage of solar power to charge the electric vehicle, the charger will compensate by drawing charging power from the grid for the following 30 seconds and limiting the maximum current to 6 A until enough solar power is available. If no sufficient solar power is available after 30 seconds, the charger will transition to the "On hold" state and await the availability of additional surplus energy. Once there is sufficient surplus energy, the charger initiates a 2-minute timer during which it verifies the sustained presence of enough solar energy. After the 2-minute interval elapses, the charger proceeds to the charging process.
This mechanism ensures that the charging process is flexible and responsive to variations in solar energy availability. By incorporating timers and checks, the charger optimizes the utilization of solar power while maintaining a reliable and efficient charging experience for electric vehicle owners.
