Process overview

Solar Life is a bidirectional AC charging station (V2G), which charges the vehicle and can also return energy to the grid. V2G works only in regions with grid compliance for V2G.

Solar Life can communicate with a third-party management platform over 4G LTE narrowband or Ethernet; service configuration and firmware settings are accessed locally via the internal Ethernet port and web interface. User preferences are set with a third-party app. A smart meter can be connected via a P1 dongle.

To start a charging session, connect the vehicle and authorise via the built-in RFID reader (for example, with a charge card or app). Vehicles with Plug & Charge (Renault) are recognised and authorised automatically.

The third-party app / management platform controls the energy flows and allows the user to set constraints (for example, the charging rate). End-user maintenance is limited to visual checks and cleaning. Yearly service is done by a technician to test the internal RCD (if present), check/replace seals if required, and use the local web interface and platform logs for diagnostics and fault investigation.