Smart energy company SolarEdge has unveiled a new bi-directional DC EV charger at Intersolar Europe 2023 which enables both vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid functionality.
The Israeli-headquartered SolarEdge, a global leader in smart energy technologies including solar and batteries, unveiled its new DC-coupled EV charger at Intersolar Europe 2023, the world’s leading solar industry exhibition.
The new solar-powered EV charger boasts fast-charging up to 24kW by simultaneously drawing electricity from the PV array, home battery, and the grid, bypassing the home’s AC infrastructure and the limitations of the car’s onboard EV charger.
Connected to single- or three-phase inverters through a DC bus circuit which can be oversized by up to 200%, the new charger enables charging the EV with excess solar and has a charge-discharge rate of 12/24kW and a peak efficiency of DC to DC of 99%.
Additionally, SolarEdge’s ONE energy optimisation system provides enhanced savings by applying smart algorithms to calculate dynamic utility prices and autonomously charging or discharging the EV battery.
Utilising the charger’s vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, this means that homeowners will be eligible to receive payments from their electricity supplier during demand response events by discharging stored electricity in their EV battery power back to the grid.
Similarly, the charger’s vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology allows it to serve as a large home battery of up to 50kWh both on and off grid.
The charger is compatible with both 400V and 800V EV powertrains via a standard CSS connector, and is expected to be commercially available in the second half of 2024.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.