Charge HQ has a setting (under Settings → Solar Tracking → Advanced) that enables compatibility with sites that don’t report the energy consumption from EV charging as part of the home’s energy consumption.

It is critically important that this setting is set correctly for Charge HQ to function properly. For most homes, the default setting of off is the correct one.

When is this setting required

The most common configuration for energy meters found on solar systems and home batteries is that they monitor both solar production and net energy flows in / out of the home’s grid connection. This includes any power used by the EV charger.

Sites configured in this way should leave the Consumption Excludes Charging setting in the default off position.

In some homes, the energy meter is set up so that the grid monitoring excludes (doesn’t count) any energy consumed by the EV charger. This is usually done to avoid home batteries discharging whilst EVs are charging.

When your energy meter is set up in the latter configuration, Charge HQ needs to know as it impacts how we calculate how much excess solar is available for EV charging.

Sites configured in this way should set the consumption excludes charging setting to on.

How will I know if I need to use this setting?

Unfortunately, Charge HQ can’t automatically detect this configuration currently.

If you do not have a home battery or energy meter installed, you will not need to enable this setting and it won’t be accessible.

If you notice when charging from solar, the EV charging speed is significantly different from the amount of excess solar reported you may need to enable this setting.

To confirm:

• Pick a time in the the evening when you have no solar production, and when there are no major changes in home energy consumption (e.g. home heating or cooking appliances stopping and starting).
• Observe your grid consumption and energy discharge from your home battery if you have one.
• Ensure your EV is plugged in, then select Charge Now mode with Charge Amps set to max.
• Wait a few minutes for all values to refresh
• If your grid consumption (and or home battery discharge) increases to match EV charging power you do not need to enable this setting. e.g. Grid consumption starts at 1 kW, you turn on EV charging at 7 kW, grid consumption increases to 8 kW.
• If the grid consumption (and or battery discharge) does not increase to match the EV charging power, you do need to turn on the Consumption Excludes Charging setting. e.g. Grid consumption starts at 1 kW, you turn on EV charging at 7 kW, grid consumption remains at 1 kW.

Enabling “Consumption Excludes Charging”

• Go to Settings → Solar Tracking → Advanced
• Toggle “Consumption Excludes Charging” to the on position

Don’t use this setting unless you need it

If you turn on this setting when it is not needed, it will prevent solar tracking from working correctly and will cause your charging stats to report incorrect values.

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