To ensure the automated Energy Management features work correctly, keep the EV Charger in a "Paused" state within the app whenever it is not being used on-demand. Detailed instructions on how to toggle the EV Charger between "Paused" and "Ready" states can be found here.
Time of Use and Scheduling
The EV Charger can manage schedules independently, without the need for a monitor or additional devices. Schedules can be set based on your connected rate plan or through custom scheduled events. When creating custom schedules, specify both "start charging" and "stop charging" events to complete the schedule cycle. Ensure the EV Charger has the correct time zone setting to follow the schedule accurately.
The behavior of the EV Charger with schedules is binary—either on or off. The charge rates remain unaffected; only the availability of the charger is controlled during specified times. Detailed instructions on setting up Time of Use/Schedules can be found here.
Peak Demand Management
To utilize Peak Demand management, an energy monitor (either the Vue: Gen 3, Gen 2 or Utility Connect) is required to measure your real-time system usage and control the Peak Demand behavior of the EV Charger.
How It Works
The "Peak Demand" feature aims to keep your real-time system usage below a specified limit. When the energy monitor detects that usage is approaching this limit, it reduces the EV Charger’s charge rate and can turn off the charger entirely to stay within the usage goal. Once the system usage is below the set goal, the EV Charger will resume charging, gradually increasing the charge rate while remaining under the limit.
How to Enable/Set Up
Assuming a Vue: Gen 3 device named "Home Monitor" is set up and functioning correctly to track system usage, and the EV Charger named "Example EVSE" is connected:
Open the app and tap the Management button at the bottom of the screen.
Tap on Peak Demand Management.
On the "Manage Device for Peak Demand" page, select your monitor (in the below example, "Home Monitor").
On the "Peak Demand Management" page, specify the Peak Demand threshold and enable the EV Charger as a "Connected Smart Device".
Once set up, the EV Charger will attempt to charge as high as possible while your system usage remains below the specified Peak Demand goal. If usage approaches the limit, the charger will reduce its rate or turn off to maintain the goal.
Excess Solar Optimization
Excess Solar optimization also requires an energy monitor (either the Vue: Gen 3, Gen 2 or Utility Connect) to measure your real-time system usage and control the EV Charger’s behavior.
How It Works
The energy monitor tracks your system’s Net Usage status, either consumption or production, through the main electrical lines in your system. Once this is accurately captured, the EV Charger’s charging behavior can be managed based on the amount of excess solar power generated. The charger’s rate can dynamically adjust to consume excess solar power instead of sending it back to the grid.
How to Enable/Set Up
Assuming a Vue: Gen 3 device named "Home Monitor" is set up and functioning correctly to track system usage, and the EV Charger named "Example EVSE" is connected:
Open the app and tap the Management button at the bottom of the screen.
Tap on Excess Solar Management.
On the "Manage Devices for Excess Solar" page, select your monitor ("Home Monitor").
On the "Excess Solar Management" page, enable the EV Charger as a "Connected Smart Device".
Once set up correctly, the EV Charger will increase its charge rate to consume excess solar power when the monitor detects a "Net Production" state. If a "Net Consumption" state is detected, the charge rate will decrease or turn off to maintain net production as much as possible.
Feedback and Suggestions
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