Solar Integration

With shrinking feed-in tariffs, charging from surplus solar is the biggest running-cost saving available.

What this topic covers

• How surplus diversion works

  A CT clamp measures export, and the charger modulates current to match it.

• Minimum charging current

  Solar-only mode needs roughly 1.4kW of surplus; hybrid modes top up from the grid.

• Battery and inverter pairing

  Priorities need setting so the car doesn't drain a home battery overnight.

• When solar charging does not suit

  If the car is away all day, off-peak scheduling usually beats solar diversion.

Key facts

• Feed-in tariffs are a fraction of the retail rate, so self-consumption is worth more.
• Solar diversion needs a CT clamp at the main switchboard.
• A 6.6kW system can cover most of a daily commute on a sunny day.