Electric cars are popular now. People need good home chargers. The Zappi charger is a smart choice. But is it the best for you?
At Penrith Solar Centre, we know the ins and outs of renewable energy technology. With the rise in popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), we supply customers with electric chargers as well as solar and battery solutions. We’re experts in all things Zappi car charger-related.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is the Zappi EV charger?
- The MyEnergi App
- Pros and Cons of the Zappi Car Charger
- Installation and Setup
- Cost and Value Analysis
By the end of this article, you’ll have a complete understanding of whether a MyEnergi Zappi wall charger is for you.
But before we get into the article, here’s a quick FAQ if you don’t have time for a full read just yet:
Does the Zappi charger work with all EVs?
Yes, it has a Type 2 connector.
How long does it take to charge an EV with the Zappi?
It depends on your car and the charging mode.
Is the Zappi charger worth the cost?
For many, yes, especially if you have solar panels.
Can I install the Zappi charger myself?
Nope. Hire an electrician for safety purposes.
How does it integrate with solar panels?
It can use your solar energy to charge your car, saving on electricity costs.
What is a Zappi charger?
The Zappi charger is a home charger for electric vehicles. It is smart and works well with solar panels. It’s made by a company called MyEnergi.
It’s available in a couple of different options. You can get a 7kW single-phase rated option or a 22kW three-phase rated option. You can also choose between a tethered version with a built-in charging cable or the untethered version where you can plug in your own Type 2 charging cable.
Key features and specifications:
- Rating: Single-phase 7kW, 22kW for three-phase sites.
- Wi-Fi connectivity for updates and monitoring.
- Can be installed indoors or outdoors depending on your needs.
- Compatibility with Other EVs: Type 2 plug that works with all EVs.
- Dimensions: 439 x 282 x 122 mm
- Warranty: 3 years with an option to extend.
- Cable: 6.5 metres long.
Harvi
Harvi, an optional extra, acts as a wireless transmitter for the CT clamps, eliminating the need for hard-wiring them to the Zappi. This setup allows the Zappi EV Charger to display real-time solar power generation on its LCD screen.
The CT clamps connect to the solar system wiring and then link to the Zappi using an ethernet cable. Harvi offers a wireless solution that simplifies installation and reduces wiring clutter. It costs $175, slightly more than the CT clamps, which are $49 per phase.
OCPP Compatibility
The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) enables your EV Charger to communicate with third-party software services. If you have an Enphase microinverter solar system with the Enphase Enlighten App, it can communicate with the Zappi charger.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about shopping for a solar system, you might want to check out the following article titled, 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Solar.
The MyEnergi App
The MyEnergi App allows you to control and monitor your Zappi charger from your phone. It gives you insights, like most monitoring apps, into your energy usage and savings.
It gives you control of your charging via PIN code access. You can choose which charging mode you want to utilise. It keeps track of who charged your EV, when it was done, and how much energy was used.
This is a great feature for logging business mileage. And of course, we mentioned, it’s an OCPP-compatible platform.
The app has three modes for charging:
FAST Mode: The vehicle is charged at maximum power (either from your solar or the grid).
ECO + Mode: Charging is continuously adjusted in response to how power is used in the home. Charging will pause if too much power is imported from the grid and continue once energy from your solar and battery is available.
ECO Mode: A mixture of energy imported from the grid and solar.
If you’re interested in learning about the rebate for solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, Understanding the Federal Government Solar Rebate in Australia: The STC Scheme in 2024
Pros and Cons of the Zappi Charger
These chargers are specifically designed to connect with a solar system, allowing EV drivers to charge their vehicles using the lowest-cost power source.
We love this next bit even though it doesn’t apply to us: the charger can work with any system that exports to the grid, including wind or micro-hydro. The icon on the Zappi screen can even be changed to display a windmill.
MyEnergi also offers the “Eddi,” a solar diverter that sends surplus solar energy to a resistive load, like an electric hot water system.
Pros:
Solar Integration: Uses solar energy to charge your car. We love this.
Versatile: Works with most EVs and solar setups.
Smart Features: Has multiple modes to optimise charging which we mentioned above.
Cons:
Cost: More expensive than some basic chargers.
Extras: A lot of the features require an internet connection through WiFi, and there are customers who don’t have this in their homes.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the process of choosing components for your solar system, you might want to check out the following article titled, How to Shop for a Solar System.
Installation and Setup
Choose a location: Place it near where you park. It needs to reach your car easily. Keep the charger high enough to be convenient but not too low.
An additional recommendation we have is to mount it near the outer garage door. A DIY project can take over your garage quickly and if you can’t park inside, your charger will need to reach where you park (like the driveway).
Installing the charger: Hire Penrith Solar Centre to handle the installation. We do that in addition to installing solar systems. We’ll connect the charger to your home Wi-Fi for updates.
We plan the shortest path for wiring and make sure everything is wired and connected properly.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of a good installer, you might want to check out the following article titled, In-house Installers vs. Subcontractors: Which is Better?
Integration with Solar Panels and Smart Home Systems
This is where Zappi really soars. It was designed in the UK to be the world’s first solar EV charger. While Tesla has a feature called Charge From Solar, it’s a game of catch-up with Zappi.
You do not need to have solar to use the Zappi charger.
For anyone who’s unfamiliar with energy monitoring apps, there’s a lot you can program for your system from one.
You can:
- Schedule when to charge your EV.
- Program where your power for charging your EV comes from.
- Access to your system settings from anywhere because it’s all on your smartphone.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of monitoring and programming your energy, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is Consumption Monitoring?
Click here for sunshine and savings.
Cost and Value Analysis
At Penrith Solar Centre, the Zappi charger costs: $2,500
This cost includes installation.
Using Zappi with solar power will lower your energy costs. If you’re thinking of an EV, you should also be thinking about installing solar. And if you’re thinking about solar, you should be thinking about an EV.
The smart features on the app will help you optimise energy use.
While it’s pricier than some chargers, its solar integration and smart features make it a good investment if you use them. The app is simple and easy to use, monitoring and adjusting your energy usage saves money over time. Sometimes quite a bit.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about value points in our pricing that include the solar rebate, you might want to check out the following article titled, Solar Panel Pricing and Value Points at Penrith Solar Centre.
Should I Buy a Zappi EV Charger?
This EV charger costs more than some others in its class, but it’s also loaded with more features than its competition.
We like the Zappi charger for how adaptable it is with other systems.
If you have solar and a battery that is NOT a Powerwall, this is a great option.
If you have a Tesla EV or a Powerwall or both, you might want to save yourself some money and get the Tesla Wall Connector. It works beautifully within that energy ecosystem, so Zappi might not be your best fit if you’ve got Tesla components in your solar system.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the Tesla Wall Connector, you might want to check out the following article titled, Tesla Car Charger Review: Is It Right for You?
Charge Right Into EVs With Zappi
The Zappi charger offers many benefits. It’s smart, versatile, and works great with solar panels. However, it’s more expensive and can be complex to set up. If you want a smart charger that uses solar power, the Zappi is a great choice. If you’re looking for a basic charger, there are cheaper options.
At Penrith Solar Centre, we’re here to guide you through every step while you set yourself up for an electric lifestyle. We like the Zappi charger because it’s so adaptable. But it’s expensive, so it might not be for you.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about public charging stations, you might want to check out the following article titled, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Guide 2024.
