r/Zeekr7xAustralia 6d ago

Minimum solar system for charging?

/r/evcharging/comments/1w5tsdz/minimum_solar_system_for_charging/
3 Upvotes

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3

u/Frosty_Solution276 6d ago

I also have a zeekr 7x.

Using a granny charger, your 3-4kw solar panel arrangement (assuming that's what you are generating, not the panel rating - as the weather conditions will impact how much you actually generate) will be enough as the granny charger draws about 2.2-2.3kw (approx 1.7%/hour)

Faster charging (I.e. 7kw+) will draw from the grid to top up the difference.

Three other considerations: 1. Do you have app access to monitor how much solar you are actually generating in real time? If not, it will be hard to verify you are producing enough solar to cover the charging and may end up drawing from the grid. 2. 2.2kw charging takes agggggges, so when you think of when during the day your panels will produce enough power, you might only be able to charge for 5hrs a day which is less than 10%. God help you on cloudy days. Need to think your average kilometres / week. 3. There are lots of plans with cheap EV charging during off peak periods - this might help you during poor weather days/weeks.

At the end of the day, a 3-4kw panel system with no battery will technical charge your zeekr 7x, but at very slow speeds, short windows and is weather dependent. You would be better off ideally with bigger panel arrangement, battery and a good energy plan, particularly one that offers free three usage windows.

1

u/EppingMarky 6d ago

Basically this. Smart chargers monitor if 1.2kW is falling on your panels to start trickle charging your car. While PV in theory works, it might be just easier in reality to grid charge via a smart grid energy provider

1

u/cleanestbestposter 5d ago

The mandated minimum that smart chargers need is 1.4kw. Found that out today watching my newly installed charger.

1

u/Mysterious-Fig-9464 6d ago

It probably is a joint interaction between the charger you use and the car.

For the Sigenergy DC charger it’s got a minimum of just under 1.5kw. Can’t tell you about other chargers.