How to configure and use solar power with Eco mode

Configuration · Local interface

This professional procedure describes a specific original configuration or local SmartSystem interface. Verify applicable steps and parameters against the control unit and supplied equipment's documentation. It is not universal for every TouchPoint variant.

SmartSystem for your chargers lets you configure Eco modes for the Energy Management System (EMS). With these Eco mode settings, you can charge at scheduled times using only surplus energy generated by solar PV or another local electricity source, or charge only during selected off-peak hours.

Eco mode configuration and control options:

  • in EMS → View you can see an overview of the EMS and its current mode, shown in the image as COMFORT, this mode can change between COMFORT, ECO and SUSPENDED, according to the settings for the current hour
  • in EMS → Edit configure the Advanced functionalities section. CAUTION, ECO mode is available only for an EMS with a limit configured in kW. If you also need to set a limit in amperes, create two EMS groups.
  • In Advanced functionalities, select Eco Solar settings, where three options are available:
    • Charging only from Surplus - min 6A - this enables surplus charging, but charging continues at the minimum current of 6 A even when no surplus is available 
    • Charging only from Surplus+ - this is an alternative to the first setting and cannot be enabled together with option 1. Charging uses only surplus energy and pauses completely when no surplus is available.

    • Charging only from Surplus - without surpluses - this is an additional option for both 1 and 2. It must be combined with one of them and has no effect on its own. It allows options 1 and 2 to work even when the PV system is configured not to export a surplus. When the building's power draw is below 0.5 kW, the system tries to start charging. If the PV system then brings the draw back below 0.5 kW, charging continues; otherwise charging switches off for a period of time.

  • In Advanced functionalities, also configure Schedule charging. Enable it first, then use the arrow to open its settings. You can create a weekly schedule and select one of three modes for each hour of each day:
    • Comfort - the system charges up to the full circuit breaker or supply connection limit
    • Eco Solar - the system tries to keep supply connection power at 0 kW, using only surplus energy
    • Suspended - charging is completely blocked during this hour. This is particularly useful for connections with two electricity tariffs, allowing charging to pause during peak hours.
  • After this configuration, all charging stations under this EMS follow the Advanced functionalities settings. When a station charges in Eco mode, its LED strip changes from blue to pale blue to indicate Eco charging. 

  • During charging, you can switch an individual connector to Comfort mode, changing the mode from Eco to Comfort for the current charging transaction. The setting Force Comfort mode for this transaction can be enabled under EVSE → View → Actual current limit → Force Comfort mode for this transaction, or, if the transaction was started with an RFID card, the mode can be changed by presenting the RFID card to the station's reader again. To use this, enable the charging station setting RejectStopTransaWithRFID in the section OCPP → Edit → OCPP keys, with this key, presenting the card while charging switches between Eco and Comfort instead of stopping charging. The switch is immediately visible in the LED strip's blue or pale blue colour.

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