Plug in when needed
Grid charging
The car draws electricity through the home charger. Charging speed depends on the car, charger, supply and settings.
Solar panels are not required.
Charging at home
Grid, solar or a bit of both.
A home charger can use grid electricity whether or not you have solar panels. How much solar reaches the car depends on the available surplus, your equipment and when you plug in.
Three different ways to manage charging.
Choose the hours
Timed charging
The car or charger schedules charging for a chosen period. The cost depends on your tariff and how much electricity is used.
Scheduled charging can still be grid charging.
Use available generation
Solar surplus charging
Compatible controls can use solar left over after other demand. The car must be plugged in while enough surplus is available.
The setting is not available on every smart charger.
Your normal week
When is the car at home?
Start with your routine rather than a promised percentage of solar driving.
At home during the day
There may be a chance to use solar directly, if the car is connected and generation exceeds other demand. Weather, season and system size change how much is available. Keep a way to reach the charge level you need when solar is limited.
Mainly home in the evening
Solar panels do not generate at night. Timed grid charging may fit your routine better. Compare the whole electricity tariff, not just one discounted charging window.
Different days, different needs
Ask whether the charger can switch between surplus use and scheduled charging, and how to request a charge when you need it sooner. Have those controls explained at handover.
Solar and storage
Do you need a home battery?
No. A home charger can work without one. A battery may store solar for later, but it adds cost and charging losses. Its capacity also has to serve the rest of the home.
Ask which takes priority when the car, home battery and other loads all need energy. Load management controls electrical demand; it does not create extra solar power.
SEAI guidance checked . This explains the choices, not a savings forecast or a configuration for your vehicle.
A charger for your home
Tell us what you have in mind.
Have your car model, parking details and any solar plans ready. A charger enquiry is separate from a solar roof survey.
Looking at solar too?
Plan both together.
Request a free, no obligation roof survey for the solar project. Mention charging so the team can discuss the separate electrical assessment.