Charger types Facts checked

Solar EV chargers, compared

25 of the 26 home EV chargers we cover can charge your car from spare solar power. For 16 the sensor it needs is in the box, five need an accessory sold separately, and for four the maker does not say. They are listed A to Z, not ranked: tick what your home needs and the list narrows.

chargers we cover can use your panels
25 of 26
come with the solar sensor in the box
16
of spare solar before Indra, Pod Point and Simpson & Partners chargers start
1.4 kW
Ask AI which one suits your home

A to Z, not ranked

All 25 solar EV chargers we cover

Chargers with a mode that charges the car from surplus solar generation, measured by a current sensor on your supply. Our rule: the manufacturer publishes a solar charging mode for UK installations. Where it needs an extra sensor or meter that is sold separately, the listing says so, and where the maker does not say what it needs, the listing says that too.

  • Andersen

    Andersen A3

    • In the boxSolar Basic uses the Adaptive Fuse grid CT clamp supplied as standard; Solar Advanced adds a solar CT
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Adaptive Fuse CT Clamp included as standard”

    “Position the CT clamp around a live conductor to monitor reading for whole property and any generation.”

    “Control your Andersen A3 directly from the Andersen App and manage all of your smart features, such as remote charge point locking and solar compatibility.”

  • Andersen

    Andersen Quartz

    • In the boxBasic solar (and the Adaptive Fuse) runs on the grid CT clamps in the box: one on 7 kW units, three on 22 kW units. The separate solar CT for Advanced Solar is bought separately and does not apply to the 22 kW unit.
    • Tariff lists
    • 22 kW
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    In the maker’s words

    “Solar compatible Make use of surplus solar energy”

    “Solar Basic / Adaptive Fuse Position the CT clamp around a live conductor to monitor loads for the entire property and any generated export”

    “3-phase load limiting and basic solar”

  • Cord

    Cord Zero

    • What it needs: not statedSolar compatible through the Cord app; the documents do not say whether extra hardware is needed
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Warranty Period 3 Years Solar Compatible Yes”

  • Easee

    Easee One

    • Needs an accessorySolar charging needs the Easee Equalizer
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Automatic charging with solar generation.1”

    “1. Easee Equalizer required.”

  • EO Charging

    EO Mini Pro 3

    • Needs an accessorySolar matching needs an additional CT clamp
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Solar charging: Charge your car with our solar matching or net-zero technologies (optional extra, using an additional CT clamp)”

  • GivEnergy

    GivEnergy EV Charger

    • Needs an accessorySolar diversion needs a compatible CT meter wired to the charger, or a compatible GivEnergy PV inverter on the same GivEnergy account; standalone, the charger has no solar integration
    • Fixed cable
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Solar Diversion Charge your vehicle from excess solar generation”

    “Charger is connected to a compatible CT meter via a wired comms cable.”

    “Enables dynamic load balancing, solar export detection, and other smart charging features.”

  • Hive

    Hive EV Charger (Sync Energy Wall Charger 2)

    • In the boxSync's Auto Solar Charging, with the load management kit supplied
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Auto Solar Charging allowing you to utilise excess solar power to charge your EV”

    “LOAD BALANCING Supplied with Load Management Kit”

  • Humax

    Humax MX7

    • In the boxAuto Solar mode, using the CT clamp supplied in the box
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Compatible with your solar setup and smart home system, Auto Solar lets you charge your EV using clean, free solar energy.”

    “EV charger, wall bracket, CT clamp & connector, ferrule terminals, screws, extension connector, 2 x RFID cards, and a quick guide.”

  • Hypervolt

    Hypervolt Home 3 Pro

    • In the boxEco (solar and grid) and Super Eco (solar only) modes, using the CT clamp supplied
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Charging modes: Boost, Eco (Solar & Grid), Super Eco (Solar Only)”

    “Connect the CT clamp supplied to the green CT plug”

  • Indra

    Indra Smart LUX

    • In the boxTakes surplus solar above 1.4 kW not used by the home, read by the CT that comes with every Indra charger
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “The charger will take any surplus solar power that's above 1.4kW not being used by your home”

    “Load curtailment • Solar mode”

    “use surplus energy from your solar panels to charge your car or van for free”

  • Indra

    Indra Smart PRO

    • In the boxTakes surplus solar above 1.4 kW not used by the home; no add-on kit needed
    • Tariff lists
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “free power from your rooftop solar without buying an add-on kit”

    “The charger will take any surplus solar power that's above 1.4kW not being used by your home”

    “Load curtailment • Solar mode”

  • Masterplug

    Masterplug Smart EV Charger

    • In the boxIntegrated SolarCharge using the CT clamp supplied in the box
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Supporting auto solar charging and Tariff Sense intelligent rate-based scheduling”

    “One CT Clamp is supplied in the box with this charger.”

    “If load balancing and/or Integrated SolarCharge feature is required, a single CT clamp should be used”

  • myenergi

    myenergi zappi

    • In the boxECO and ECO+ modes charge from surplus solar or wind; grid sensor (CT) clamps supplied: one on single phase, three on three phase
    • Tariff lists
    • 22 kW
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    In the maker’s words

    “7kW Single-Phase 22kW 3-Phase EV charging from surplus solar or wind generation”

    “Supplied with Clip-on Grid Sensor(s)”

    “either find a single CT clamp with 5m cable (1pc model) or three CT clamps with 5m cables”

  • myenergi

    myenergi zappi GLO

    • In the boxUses surplus solar measured by the grid CT supplied with the charger
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “zappi GLO continuously adjusts power based on grid import and export, protecting your electrics while maximising surplus solar energy.”

    “Ensure the supplied grid CT has been fitted”

  • Ohme

    Ohme ePod

    • In the boxSolar charging using the CT clamp supplied in the box
    • Tariff lists
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Dynamic load balancing and solar charging enabled with a working CT clamp”

    “Ohme ePod 1x CT clamp 2x Wago clips and connector block”

  • Ohme

    Ohme Home Pro

    • In the boxSolar Boost in the app, using the CT clamp supplied in the box
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Dynamic load balancing and solar charging enabled with a working CT clamp”

    “Ohme Home Pro and backplate 1x CT clamp 2x Wago clips”

    “Activate our Solar Boost feature in the app and use solar energy excess to charge your car with green energy.”

  • Pod Point

    Pod Point Solo 3S

    • In the boxSolar and Solar & Grid modes in the app, using the power balancing sensor (CT clamp) supplied in the box
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “This mode allows you to charge your car purely on excess solar energy alone if you have at least 1.4kW available.”

    “1 x Power Balancing Sensor (CT Clamp) + Cable tie”

    “It also means that customers can use features like solar charging.”

  • Rolec

    Rolec EVO

    • 7 kW: what it needs: not statedECO+ (surplus solar only) and ECO (solar by day, scheduled grid at night) modes. A second CT on the solar side is fitted if required, from the EVO Single Phase Solar CT Clamp Kit (ACSR5011); Rolec does not say when it is needed
    • 22 kW: needs an accessoryECO+ and ECO modes; the 22 kW model needs the EVO Three Phase Solar CT Clamp Kit (ACSR5014)
    • 22 kW
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Surplus solar charging compatible”

    “ECO+ uses only surplus solar energy to charge”

    “If 2x CTs are required, an additional kit is available.”

  • Rolec

    Rolec WallPod

    • What it needs: not statedSolar PV, battery or wind turbine integration, which Rolec marks as app dependent; no solar accessory or charging mode is named
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Solar PV, battery storage or wind turbine integration”

    “for a zero-cost, zero-carbon charge.* *App dependent feature”

    “Solar PV, battery storage or wind turbine integration*”

  • Rolec

    Rolec Zura

    • What it needs: not statedSolar PV, battery or wind turbine integration; the manual describes adding a solar monitoring CT on the CT connector. Rolec names no solar mode or solar kit for the Zura
    • 22 kW
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Solar PV, battery storage or wind turbine integration”

    “Sync your solar PV, battery storage or wind turbine setup”

    “The lower two terminals on the CT connector can be used to attach a CT for a solar system.”

  • Simpson & Partners

    Simpson & Partners Home Plus

    • In the boxEco and Eco+ modes in the app; charging starts when more than 1.4 kW of surplus is sustained; uses the energy manager's grid data, and a wired energy manager comes with every Home Series charger
    • Tariff lists
    • 22 kW
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    In the maker’s words

    “How to setup solar charging on our Home Plus EV chargers”

    “If more than 1.4kW of surplus is detected, Eco Mode will initiate charging.”

    “Simpson & Partners chargers can charge from solar using grid/property data from wired or wireless energy manager.”

  • Sync Energy

    Sync Energy EV Charger

    • In the boxAuto Solar Charging on the 7.4 kW models and Integrated Solar Charging on the 22 kW model; each comes with one EVA120CT1 clamp in the box, which serves load balancing and solar on a single CT
    • Tariff lists
    • 22 kW
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    In the maker’s words

    “Auto Solar Charging allowing you to utilise excess solar power to charge your EV”

    “LOAD BALANCING Supplied with Load Management Kit”

    “One Sync Energy CT Clamps, EVA120CT1, is supplied in the box with this charger.”

  • VCHRGD

    VCHRGD Seven Pro

    • In the boxMonitors solar export using the CT clamp supplied (a second CT can be ordered)
    • Tariff lists
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    • PEN protection
    In the maker’s words

    “Our chargers monitor your solar export, allowing you to charge for free with 1 or 2 CT Inputs”

  • Wallbox

    Wallbox Pulsar Max

    • Needs an accessorySolar charging needs one of Wallbox's power meters (Energy Meter Pulsar)
    • Tariff lists
    • 22 kW
    • Fixed cable
    • Socket
    In the maker’s words

    “To enable solar charging, you must combine it with one of our power meters.”

    “When used with the optional Energy Meter Pulsar, the Pulsar Max offers various energy management solutions. The Solar charging mode makes efficient use of a PV system”

  • Wallbox

    Wallbox Quasar 2

    • Needs an accessorySolar charging needs a Wallbox power meter; not with multiple chargers or OCPP
    • Fixed cable
    In the maker’s words

    “To enable solar charging, you must combine it with one of our power meters.”

    “Solar charging is not compatible with multiple-charger installations and OCPP.”

Not on this list: 1 of the 26 chargers we cover
  • Zaptec GoZaptec's solar charging (with Zaptec Sense) is offered only in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg, not the UK

How it works

How solar charging works

Every solar charger here does the same three things: it measures what your home is sending back to the grid, sends that spare power to the car instead, and slows or pauses when it drops.

  1. 1

    Measure

    A sensor on your supply (usually a CT clamp around the meter cable) sees spare solar. For 16 chargers it is in the box; Easee One, EO Mini Pro 3, GivEnergy EV Charger, Wallbox Pulsar Max and Wallbox Quasar 2 need an accessory sold separately.

  2. 2

    Start

    Most cars will not charge below about 1.4 kW (6 A at 230 V). Indra, Pod Point and Simpson & Partners say their chargers wait for that much spare solar.

  3. 3

    Choose a mode

    Solar only charges just from spare solar and pauses when it drops. Solar and grid keeps going, topping up from the grid at your day rate. Makers name them differently: Super Eco and Eco on Hypervolt, Solar and Solar & Grid on Pod Point.

kWh Panels Sensor at the meter Charger Car Grid Pauses under 1.4 kW Grid tops up the gap
Solar only: spare power from the panels passes the sensor at the meter and goes to the car. When a cloud cuts it below 1.4 kW, charging pauses.Solar and grid: the car keeps charging when a cloud passes, and the grid tops up the gap at your day rate.

Two real days near Birmingham, hour by hour

26 June 2023A typical day that month near Birmingham, with 4 kWp of panels and 0.3 kW of home use: 16 kWh spare, 6 hours above 1.4 kW.
01231.4 kW06:0009:0012:0015:0018:0021:00kW
10 December 2023A typical day that month near Birmingham, with 4 kWp of panels and 0.3 kW of home use: 1 kWh spare, never above 1.4 kW.
01231.4 kW06:0009:0012:0015:0018:0021:00kW
Enough to charge (1.4 kW or more)Too little to startGrid top-up in solar and grid mode

Solar calculator

How much of your driving could solar cover?

Real hourly solar data for your nearest city, worked out for your panels, your driving and the charging mode. It applies to any charger with that mode.

These figures are for the settings shown. Changing them needs JavaScript; the worked examples below cover common cases.

4 kWp

About 10 panels of 400 W, facing south

Days the car is at home in daylight
8,000
Charging mode

Charges only when spare solar power reaches 1.4 kW, and pauses below it.

More settings
Home use in daylight

Fridge, router and standby

For its miles per kWh, from our electric car data.

Share of your driving from spare solar

70%

With 4 kWp of panels near Birmingham and the car at home every day, spare solar could cover about 70% of 8,000 miles a year in a solar-only mode: about 5,600 miles.

Miles from solar a year
5,600 miles
Spare solar still exported
1,590 kWh
Days spare solar reaches 1.4 kW
222 of 365
Spare solar each month: into the car, and exported anyway
0100200300400JanJFebFMarMAprAMayMJunJJulJAugASepSOctONovNDecDkWh
Into the carExported anywayFrom the grid (solar and grid)Your driving
See the figures by month
Average of 2021, 2022 and 2023, in kWh, rounded.
MonthSpare solarInto the carExportedFrom the gridYour drivingDays 1.4 kW reached
January1064759015113 of 31
February1618874013716 of 28
March230114116015118 of 31
April359148211014624 of 30
May353141212015124 of 31
June381140241014623 of 30
July335134201015123 of 31
August318134183015122 of 31
September244115129014620 of 30
October1769581015118 of 31
November1045946014613 of 30
December63283501517 of 31
How we worked it out

Solar output: PVGIS 5.3 hourly data for a 1 kWp system near your city, facing south at 35 degrees, with PVGIS's standard 14% system losses, for 2021, 2022 and 2023, scaled to your panels and averaged.

Spare solar each hour is that output minus your home's use in daylight, held steady at the figure you pick.

Solar only: the car charges when spare solar reaches 1.4 kW (6 A at 230 V), at up to 7.4 kW. Solar and grid: it starts the same way, then keeps going while there is any spare solar, at 1.4 kW or the spare power if higher, and the grid makes up the difference. Makers differ in exactly when their modes start and stop.

Your car only takes what you drive: your miles a year divided by its miles per kWh, carried from day to day, and at most 20 kWh on one day at home (about 90 miles in the MG4 EV SE Long Range).

Limits: hourly averages smooth out passing clouds, so a solar-only mode pauses more often than this shows. Shade, panels facing east or west, and how your home really uses power all change the result.

Worked examples: 0.3 kW home use, 8,000 miles a year, MG4 EV SE Long Range

From the same PVGIS model as the calculator. Rounded; real homes vary.
Panels and cityCar at homeModeShare of drivingMiles from solar a yearFrom the grid in daylight
4 kWp, BirminghamEvery daySolar only70%5,600 milesNone
4 kWp, BirminghamEvery daySolar and grid70%5,700 miles230 kWh
4 kWp, BirminghamWeekends onlySolar only25%2,050 milesNone
6 kWp, BirminghamEvery daySolar only90%7,250 milesNone
4 kWp, LondonEvery daySolar only75%6,000 milesNone
4 kWp, GlasgowEvery daySolar only60%4,700 milesNone

Solar data: PVGIS 5.3 (SARAH3 satellite irradiance, ERA5 weather), European Commission Joint Research Centre. PVGIS © European Union, 2001-2026. Illustrative: your roof, your home's use and your car decide the real figure.

Side by side

Compare all 25

Scroll the table sideways on a phone. Every value comes from the maker’s own documents; open a charger for the detail by model.

All 25 side by side, A to Z, checked against the makers' documents in October 2026. Each value covers every model the maker sells; the charger's own page splits them by model.
ChargerSolarCableTariff lists22 kW4GPEN protection
Andersen A3In the box5.5 m cableOctopus, OVONoNoBuilt in
Andersen QuartzIn the box5.5 m, 6.5 m or 8.5 m cable or socketOctopus, OVOYesNoBuilt in
Cord ZeroYes, kit not stated5 m, 8 m or 12 m cable or socketOctopus, OVONoStandardBuilt in
Easee OneWith an accessorySocketNoneNoStandardBuilt in
EO Mini Pro 3With an accessory5 m cable or socketNoneNoOptionBuilt in
GivEnergy EV ChargerWith an accessory5 m cableNoneNoNoBuilt in
Hive EV Charger (Sync Energy Wall Charger 2)In the box7.5 m cable or socketOctopusNoStandardBuilt in
Humax MX7In the box5 m or 7.5 m cable or socketNoneNoOptionBuilt in
Hypervolt Home 3 ProIn the box5 m, 7.5 m or 10 m cableOctopus, E.ON, OVONoNot statedBuilt in
Indra Smart LUXIn the box6 m or 10 m cableOctopus, E.ON, OVONoOptionBuilt in
Indra Smart PROIn the boxSocketOctopus, E.ON, OVONoOptionBuilt in
Masterplug Smart EV ChargerIn the box5 m cable or socketNoneNoNoBuilt in
myenergi zappiIn the box6.5 m cable or socketOctopus, E.ON, OVOYesNoBuilt in
myenergi zappi GLOIn the box6.5 m cable or socketOctopus, E.ON, OVONoNoBuilt in
Ohme ePodIn the boxSocketOctopusNoSome modelsBuilt in
Ohme Home ProIn the box5 m or 8 m cableOctopusNoSome modelsBuilt in
Pod Point Solo 3SIn the box6.5 m cable or socketNoneNoSome modelsBuilt in
Rolec EVOYes, kit not statedSocketNoneYesSubscriptionBuilt in
Rolec WallPodYes, kit not stated5 m or 10 m cable or socketNoneNoSubscriptionBuilt in
Rolec ZuraYes, kit not stated5 m or 10 m cable or socketNoneYesSubscriptionBuilt in
Simpson & Partners Home PlusIn the box6.8 m or 9.6 m cable or socketOctopus, E.ONYesNoBuilt in
Sync Energy EV ChargerIn the box7.5 m cable or socketOctopusYesStandardBuilt in
VCHRGD Seven ProIn the box7.5 m cable or socketOctopusNoOptionBuilt in
Wallbox Pulsar MaxWith an accessory5 m cable or socketOctopusYesNoBuilt in
Wallbox Quasar 2With an accessory5 m CCS2NoneNoOptionNot stated

Compare any two chargers in detail

Installing

Getting one fitted

  • The sensor goes on your supply

    Your installer clips the sensor around a cable at your meter so the charger can see spare solar. Andersen’s manual: “Position the CT clamp around a live conductor to monitor reading for whole property and any generation.”

  • Ask about a second sensor

    Some chargers can take a second sensor on the solar side: Andersen’s advanced mode, the Rolec EVO and Zura, and VCHRGD.

If you rent, or own a flat with private off-street parking, the EV chargepoint grant can cover 75% of the cost of buying and installing a chargepoint, up to £500. The EV chargepoint grant on GOV.UK (checked October 2026).

Quick answers

Questions people ask

Which home EV chargers can charge from solar panels?

25 of the 26 home chargers we cover publish a solar charging mode for UK homes. A to Z they are the Andersen A3, Andersen Quartz, Cord Zero, Easee One, EO Mini Pro 3, GivEnergy EV Charger, Hive EV Charger (Sync Energy Wall Charger 2), Humax MX7, Hypervolt Home 3 Pro, Indra Smart LUX, Indra Smart PRO, Masterplug Smart EV Charger, myenergi zappi, myenergi zappi GLO, Ohme ePod, Ohme Home Pro, Pod Point Solo 3S, Rolec EVO, Rolec WallPod, Rolec Zura, Simpson & Partners Home Plus, Sync Energy EV Charger, VCHRGD Seven Pro, Wallbox Pulsar Max and Wallbox Quasar 2.

Do I need extra equipment for solar EV charging?

Usually a sensor on your supply, so the charger can see spare solar. The maker says it comes in the box for 16 chargers. Five need an accessory sold separately: the Easee One, EO Mini Pro 3, GivEnergy EV Charger, Wallbox Pulsar Max and Wallbox Quasar 2; each card below names it. For the Cord Zero, Rolec EVO, Rolec WallPod and Rolec Zura, the maker does not say what is needed.

What is the difference between solar-only and solar and grid modes?

A solar-only mode charges just from spare solar and pauses when there is not enough. A solar and grid mode keeps the car charging, topping up from the grid when spare solar drops, so you pay your day rate for the top-up. Hypervolt calls them Super Eco (solar only) and Eco (solar and grid); Pod Point calls them Solar and Solar & Grid. The calculator on this page shows how much each would cover for your roof.

How much spare solar does a charger need to start?

About 1.4 kW, because most cars will not charge below 6 A at 230 V. Indra Smart PRO, Pod Point Solo 3S and Simpson & Partners Home Plus publish this figure: their solar modes wait for at least 1.4 kW of spare solar.

Can a 22 kW three-phase charger charge from solar?

Seven chargers here have a 22 kW three-phase version and a solar mode on at least one model: the Andersen Quartz, myenergi zappi, Rolec EVO, Rolec Zura, Simpson & Partners Home Plus, Sync Energy EV Charger and Wallbox Pulsar Max. On the 22 kW models, the solar sensor is in the box for the Andersen Quartz, myenergi zappi, Simpson & Partners Home Plus and Sync Energy EV Charger; the Rolec EVO and Wallbox Pulsar Max need an accessory sold separately; and for the Rolec Zura the maker does not say what is needed.

Which solar chargers work with smart EV tariffs?

15 of the 25 solar chargers were on at least one supplier's smart tariff list (Octopus, OVO or E.ON Next) when we checked in November 2026: the Andersen A3, Andersen Quartz, Cord Zero, Hive EV Charger (Sync Energy Wall Charger 2), Hypervolt Home 3 Pro, Indra Smart LUX, Indra Smart PRO, myenergi zappi, myenergi zappi GLO, Ohme ePod, Ohme Home Pro, Simpson & Partners Home Plus, Sync Energy EV Charger, VCHRGD Seven Pro and Wallbox Pulsar Max.

Terms on this page

CT clamp
A clip-on current sensor fitted around a cable at your meter. It tells the charger how much power your home is importing or exporting.
Spare solar
Solar power your home is not using at that moment, which would otherwise be exported to the grid.
Solar-only mode
Charges the car only from spare solar, and pauses when there is not enough.
Solar and grid mode
Starts on spare solar and keeps charging when it drops, topping up from the grid.
kWp
Kilowatt peak: the rated output of a set of solar panels in full sun.

Where these facts come from

  • The maker’s own documents

    Every fact on this page comes from our charger library: 51 documents cited here, from data sheets, manuals and product pages, checked October 2026. Supplier lists are each supplier’s own, checked November 2026.

  • A to Z, never ranked

    Nobody pays for a place in the list or the table. Paid positions are labelled and sit outside both, one at a time.

  • “Not stated” is not “no”

    Where a maker’s documents do not say, we say so. We can make mistakes, so always check with the manufacturer and your installer first.

Documents cited on this page (51)

Library updated November 2026. Also as Markdown and JSON.

Essential
Needed for the site to work. Always on.