Why settle for a standard EV charger when you could tap into power from your own roof?
Most electric car chargers draw energy from the grid without a second thought. But if you’ve invested in solar panels or a home battery, wouldn’t it be smarter to use that clean, often free energy first?
That’s exactly where the myenergi zappi GLO stands apart. This blog explores how charging from solar works, and why this charger is gaining attention from eco- and cost-conscious homeowners across the UK.
How your myenergi zappi GLO syncs with sun and storage
Every time the sun comes out, your solar panels generate clean energy. You either use it immediately, store it in a specialist battery or send it back to the grid. If you have an ongoing legacy feed-in tariff (FIT) from before 2019 (no longer available), you might be well compensated here. If not, you could still earn by selling your excess electricity back to the grid under the less-generous Smart Export Guarantee scheme.
Most electric car chargers are connected to the national grid. That’s because they’re built to deliver power on demand, without thinking about where that power comes from or what it costs. On the face of it, that makes sense. You always want to come back to an EV with a full charge. But this means most of your excess solar power is going to waste.
That’s where the zappi GLO charger comes in. It’s specifically designed to work with solar power and solar battery systems. It’ll use your surplus solar power first, then battery storage if available, and draw from the grid only when necessary. It also works with off-peak tariffs like Octopus Intelligent Go to charge when electricity is cheapest. Everything is controlled through an app, and the RFID feature (tap-to-charge) adds simple and secure access.
The charger monitors the amount of extra solar power your home generates. It then adjusts the charging speed of your car using different modes: ECO uses only surplus solar energy, ECO+ adds some grid power if needed, and FAST charges quickly using more grid power. In other words, it balances saving energy with charging speed, so you won’t be left entirely in the lurch.
Benefits of the myenergi zappi GLO
The GLO has no screen. It relies entirely on the myenergi app and RFID (tag) access. It might sound very new-age, and it is. This approach means minimal hardware so there’s less to go wrong, and seamless updates so it’s easier for myenergi to update and improve everything remotely.
On the app, users manage schedules, tariffs and solar overrides from any location. But you don’t need the app to use the charger. Keep a tap‑to‑charge RFID card in your wallet or handbag to speed up the process after a long day at work, or hand them out to friends, family or guests – anyone you don’t mind letting use your charger. It supports up to 126 RFID users, which is plenty.
This design is leaps and bounds ahead of old EV chargers with fixed menus and PINs. Then there’s the tariff optimisation to talk about. This is a surefire way to further increase savings. The GLO charger is compatible with all major UK smart tariffs, including popular energy savers such as Octopus Intelligent Go. Set your car to charge with only off-peak grid power (if any) or in renewable supply windows. Costs vary by tariff, but pairing this with your home solar system could lead to significant savings over time.
The Installer Assistant app makes setting up the zappi GLO simple for installers. It guides them through each step, including checking grid limits, placing clamps, setting tariffs and completing the setup. This means the entire job takes minutes, not hours, and every installation is consistent. Unlike other chargers that need fiddly manual configuration or extra in-person visits, the GLO keeps things easy and quick.
Additional features you should know about
The zappi GLO works best with an in-home solar battery. This means it can draw from the battery, still technically using solar power, even at night. If you’re busy at your place of work during the day – as most of us are – the battery helps you utilise all your benefits at home.
The zappi GLO is built to last. It has an IP65 rating, so it’s protected from dust and rain, and an IK10 rating, which means it can handle knocks and bumps. It works well in temperatures from -25 °C to 40 °C, so weather won’t stop it from charging. And we can’t remember any days in the UK in recent history when it’s even been quite that hot or quite that cold.
Of course, safety is covered, too. It’s an officially licensed charger that features 6mA DC protection to detect any electrical faults. And there are also alerts for tamper detection, in case someone attempts to interfere with it.
Finally, the Zapp GLO is made in the UK. That means it comes with local support and a warranty. If there’s ever an issue, help and replacements are readily available. Plus, you’re supporting our country’s economy in times of dire need.
Real-world savings and payback
A typical UK home with solar has 4kWh solar panels. Let’s say this theoretical house also has a Tesla Model 3. In summer, you could set your car to charge during the day. The zappi GLO utilises excess solar power from your panels to charge your vehicle, requiring minimal – if any – grid electricity. Over the course of a year, this could realistically save you at least £100.
In winter, when there’s less sun, the zappi GLO switches to using cheaper electricity overnight as the most sensible option. That could save you at least another £50 each year. That’s £150 per year, or £750 across five years. Although that might not sound like much, that means your charger should pay for itself within five to eight years (as an approximation). And remember, these are additional savings, on top of the tax incentives, grants and reduced energy consumption you already get from investing in clean energy.
Electrical Innovations can install the myenergi zappi GLO charger for you
It’s a cost-saving story. Solar delivers power to your home (and battery, if applicable). The charger captures any excess and uses it to charge your EV. The tariffs minimise your costs even further. Installers can set it up in minutes. App and RFID control keeps it flexible and secure.
It’s a win/win.
Ready to bring that story home? Reach out to Electrical Innovations. We install solar panels, battery systems and zappi GLO chargers throughout the UK. Contact us today for a personalised quote and start saving on your EV charging.
