SolarMindThe short answer
Choose software that can coordinate your particular battery and EV setup, not just display all your energy data. A useful whole-home plan considers when the car must be ready, how much solar is expected, your battery reserve and the value of importing or exporting electricity.
Compare the type of system you are buying
| Approach | Examples to investigate | Why the distinction matters |
|---|---|---|
| A manufacturer’s own controls | GivEnergy documents Smart Tariff battery automation; Tesla combines Powerwall controls with Charge on Solar for eligible Tesla vehicles. [1] [2] | Check the capabilities you already have before adding another service. |
| A solar-aware charger and battery ecosystem | myenergi documents Agile scheduling for zappi and libbi. [3] [4] | Check the behaviour of the full installed combination, especially if a battery comes from another supplier. |
| Independent optimisation software | Decent Energy describes household-level optimisation; Loop Optimise documents automated battery scheduling. [5] [6] | Ask separately about battery commands, direct EV control and coordination with existing automation. |
| SolarMind household trial | Designed to coordinate compatible solar, batteries and EV charging across brands. | Device access, tariff support and available controls must be confirmed before onboarding. |
A home with an EV needs more than cheap charging
Imagine the car leaves at 7am, the battery must retain a reserve, and tomorrow afternoon is forecast to be sunny. A low overnight electricity price does not automatically mean every battery should be filled. Leaving capacity for solar, meeting the car’s energy requirement and covering household demand all belong in the decision.
This is an illustrative planning example, not a prediction of savings. Ask each provider to explain how your exact combination behaves, including whether EV charging could unintentionally draw energy from the home battery.
What to confirm before switching on
- Exact inverter, battery, charger and vehicle models, including any required firmware.
- Which device settings the service can read and which it can change.
- How the EV target, battery reserve and import or export limits are applied.
- Which service owns charging decisions if you already use a supplier-managed tariff.
- The trial terms, ongoing fees and a savings baseline you can understand.
SolarMind’s approach
SolarMind uses tariffs, solar forecasts and household needs to inform a half-hourly plan. It is designed around solar, battery and EV coordination; compatibility is not universal. Our current trial is for suitable UK solar-and-battery households, with EV functions checked against the charger or vehicle connection.