Why charging off solar changes the numbers
Charging from the grid on a flat tariff is cheaper than petrol, but not dramatically. Charging from your own solar is close to free, and it also solves the export problem — an EV is the largest flexible load most households have, and it can absorb surplus generation that would otherwise be exported for a few cents.
Chargers with solar-tracking modes modulate charge rate to match surplus, so the car takes what the house is not using rather than pulling from the grid.
Single-phase and three-phase charging
A single-phase charger delivers around 7 kW, which adds roughly 40 km of range an hour — more than enough overnight for almost any commute. Three-phase charging at up to 22 kW is faster but requires three-phase supply and a car that can accept it, which many cannot.
For most households a 7 kW single-phase charger is the right answer, and the extra cost of three-phase is not recovered in convenience.
Load management
A 7 kW charger is a significant addition to a domestic supply. On an older switchboard, or alongside electric hot water and ducted air conditioning, it may need load management so the total draw stays within your supply capacity. We check this rather than assume it.
Common questions
Can I just use the cable that came with the car?
The portable cable on a standard power point works but is slow — roughly 10–15 km of range per hour. It is fine as a backup, less so as your everyday solution.
Do I need a dedicated circuit?
Yes. A hardwired charger needs its own circuit and protection from the switchboard. It is not something to run off an existing power circuit.
Can the charger use only surplus solar?
Most modern chargers support a solar-only or solar-priority mode that only draws what you are exporting. It needs a compatible charger and a CT clamp at the switchboard, which we fit as part of the install.