Solar Juice and Wallbox Provide Efficient EV Charging

Solar Juice is an Australian company that provides complete solar systems, including solar panels, inverters, battery storage, and EV chargers. Recently, they onboarded Wallbox, a company that offers a range of energy management solutions, to provide their customers with a comprehensive suite of technologies and services. 

Challenge

Achilles, an end-customer, had ordered a BYD Atto3 electric SUV and reached out to Solar Juice to find the most efficient way to recharge his new EV. Tim, a licensed electrician from Sunchase Solar (Sydney), was assigned to install the charging infrastructure at Achilles’ place. The challenge was to design an efficient EV charging solution that leveraged the solar power generated by the home’s PV panels and minimized the use of grid energy.

Solution

To provide an efficient EV charging solution for Achilles, Solar Juice and Wallbox recommended the following setup:

• Solar Panels: 52 x Risen 390W
• Sungrow hybrid inverter 10kW 1P 
• Sungrow 2 x SH5.0RS
• Sungrow battery 40kWh
• Wallbox Pulsar Plus 7.4 kW
• myWallbox app
• 1x Single Phase Clamp Power Meter

The Sungrow hybrid inverter and battery were installed to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it for EV charging at night. Meanwhile, the Wallbox Pulsar Plus 7.4 kW was chosen because of its advanced smart features, controlled by myWallbox app, such as Eco-Smart (solar panel compatibility), Power-Boost (Load balancing), that enable efficient and sustainable EV charging.

With the myWallbox app, Achilles is able to monitor his EV charging status, set charging schedules, and select charging modes. The Eco-Smart feature allows EV charging with green energy generated from the solar panels at no additional cost while the Full-Green mode ensures that every charge is 100% green by detecting when there is enough surplus green energy available to power the car. Finally, the Eco mode mixes surplus green energy with grid energy to ensure a fast and efficient charge while minimizing the use of grid energy.

Results

The Solar Juice and Wallbox EV charging solution provided Achilles with an efficient and sustainable way to charge his new EV. By utilizing the solar power generated by the home’s PV panels and minimizing the use of grid energy, Achilles was able to make some seriously impressive savings. 

The system was designed to calculate the electricity consumption of the BYD EV car and the electricity price during specific hours. The outcome revealed that the average electricity consumption of the BYD EV car was 13.3 kWh per 100 km, and the electricity price during 18:00 and 7:00 was 30 cents per kWh. With this knowledge, Solar Juice calculated the savings that Achilles could drive a total distance per year was 20,310 km per year with an electricity cost of just $810.

In comparison to his original petrol car, a Nissan Pathfinder 2015, it was found Achilles will save an incredible $4,884 per year thanks to the entire solar system and EV charger. And Achilles couldn’t be happier —  especially as he was able to take advantage of the current NSW Government initiative that covered more than the cost of the charger and the installation. 

Currently the NSW Government is offering owners of the first 25,000 first EV and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles the chance to apply for a $3000 rebate. This incentive, along with the abolition of stamp duty, will save eligible EV purchasers up to $5,540. To qualify, the cars must be below the luxury threshold of AUD$68,750.  

“I was very impressed to see the outcome, Full green mode actually works and the Wallbox is adjusting the EV charging current so that the house doesn’t withdraw any excessive power from the grid.”

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call them on 02 9725 1111