Solar charging means charging an EV with the energy from connected solar panels, also known as PV panels. In this guide, explain how to prepare and set up SolarCharge, based on your charge point brand and installation.
Monta offers two types of solar charging. In the following table, we have stated the requirements for each type.
| Virtual SolarCharge | Integrated SolarCharge | |
| What is it? | Charging following the energy produced by your solar panels. | Charging with the energy your solar panels would otherwise send back to the electricity grid. |
| Requirements | 1. Your charge point is on this list of compatible charge points. 2. You have previously installed solar panels at your home. 3. Your charge point is connected to Monta | 1. Your charge point is on this list of compatible charge points. 2. You have previously installed solar panels at your home. 3. Your charge point has a CT clamp installed to your home fuse box. 4. Your charge point is connected to Monta |
| Current supported charge point models | All SolarCharge compatible charge points. | SyncEV Wall Charger 2 7.4 kW |
Currently, you can only set up one type of solar charging, depending on your charge point brand and installation. Based on your charge point, you will automatically get the correct setup flow in Monta Charge. It is currently only possible to set up solar charging on a single charge point per user.
After you have added and connected a compatible charge point in Monta Charge you can start the setup. You can see SolarCharge in the Me section of Monta Charge. If the SolarCharge option is not visible this means there are no compatible charge points which you are the owner of.
When you are setting up Virtual SolarCharge you need to share information about the positioning of your solar panels, so Monta can estimate your solar production and calculate the resulting charging speed.
Combined peak output – the maximum power output that your solar panels are rated to produce. This can be found on the box or be provided by your installer. You need to sum the output of all connected solar panels and enter the result in kW.
Declination – the tilt angle of the solar plan installation, relative to the ground. You can measure it yourself, or consult your solar installer.
Azimuth – the compass angle orientation of the solar panels,relative to due South. You can measure that with a compass or ask your solar installer. Due East is -90 degrees, and due West is +90 degrees, while due South is 0 degrees.
When you input the above information, you will see Monta’s calculation of the output.
Now is the optional step to calibrate Monta’s estimated production. If you have access to your real solar production from your PV inverter or other real time source, enter that now and Monta’s prediction algorithm will use these values to try and more accurately predict your solar production forecast.
Now, you are ready to start a charge!
After you have added and connected your charge point in Monta Charge you can start the SolarCharge setup. You can see the option to SolarCharge in the Me section of Monta Charge.
With Integrated SolarCharge, you just need to select the charge point, which you want to use with your solar panels.
Once SolarCharge is activated you are able to start a charge!
If there is an error in the setup process, here are a few troubleshooting options:
Firmware update – Make sure that your charge point is running on the latest firmware version. You can check for available updates in the charge point settings.
CT clamp installation – When you are setting up Integrated SolarCharge, make sure that you have a CT clamp installed and that it is placed correctly on your main home load. We recommend consulting an installer if there are any doubts.
After you have enabled SolarCharge for your charge point, you are ready to start charging.
Currently, you can only perform a Charge now session with SolarCharge.
Just open your charge point, select Charge now, toggle on SolarCharge.
You will see straight away if there is enough sub power to start SolarCharging.
If there is not enough energy available to actively charge your car, you will see that on the screen. You can still start the SolarCharge and it will begin charging your car when there is enough sun power. When the sun goes down, the charge will pause, and resume when there is enough sun. The charge session will end when your car’s battery is full.
The Virtual SolarCharge solar power forecasting algorithm can only follow a single panel orientation. However, if you have multiple panels oriented in different ways, we have a workaround. When you are setting up the SolarCharge feature in Monta Charge, put the Declination and Azimuth of the largest group of panels of your roof. Use the combined Peak Output of all of your panels. When the Current Solar Output is calculated in Monta Charge, you need to re-calibrate it to match what your PV inverter displays.
Virtual SolarCharge is meant to be compatible with all types of hardwares and electrical wiring. This means that the flow of electricity may be dependent on the wiring you have in your home. However, if you have a battery at home then the energy charged up from the solar panels will be used when the car charges, unless the energy has already been diverted to the home or elsewhere due to your home battery settings.
Today, SolarCharge is only available with Charge Now. Users will have to choose whether they are charging from their own, current solar energy or with energy from the electricity grid.
Your charge point will not be visible if it is not compatible with SolarCharging, or if you are not the owner or administrator of the charge point. Go into the charge point settings to modify these access settings if needed. If you own multiple charge points, you must set up Virtual SolarCharge on each charge point, individually.
No, solar charging is only meant to provide free, fully renewable energy to the owner of a charge point and solar panels, and other admins of the charge point.
