Solar charging functionality

Solar charging lets your Volvo wallbox use surplus electricity from your home’s solar panels to charge your car. You can choose how the wallbox balances solar power and grid power, depending on what matters most to you.

Important

You will need a compatible real-time energy meter sold by Volvo to enable solar charging.

Solar charging modes

Important

The wallbox uses the most recently selected setting, whether you change it in the app or through the local hotspot.

You can choose from three modes, depending on whether you want to prioritise solar-only charging, steady charging, or maximum charging power.

Note

While solar charging is on, you can’t use a charging schedule.

Solar only

Use this mode if you want the lowest-cost, lowest-emission charging and you’re not in a rush.

How it works

• The wallbox charges only when it can use surplus solar power.
• Charging starts when surplus solar power goes above the minimum threshold.
• If surplus solar power drops below the threshold, the wallbox pauses charging.

Hybrid

Use this mode if you want reliable charging while still using as much solar power as possible.

How it works

• The wallbox uses surplus solar power first.
• If surplus solar power isn’t enough to start or maintain charging, the wallbox adds grid power.
• Charging continues without stopping, even when sunlight changes.

Off

Use this mode if you need the car ready quickly and want full charging power.

How it works

• The wallbox ignores solar production.
• The wallbox charges at full power from the grid.

Threshold power

Threshold power is the minimum surplus solar power the wallbox needs to start charging.

• Single-phase systems: 1.5 kW
• Three-phase systems: 4.5 kW

These thresholds are the minimum power required to start charging your car depending on what phase you use. It also helps to avoid start-stop charging.

Turn solar charging on or off in the Volvo Cars app

1. Open the Volvo Cars app > Wallbox > Settings > Solar charging.
2. Select Solar only, Hybrid or Off.
3. Save.

> The wallbox uses the selected mode and keeps it on until you change it.

What to expect in different solar situations

Your selected mode decides how the wallbox behaves when solar conditions change.

Solar only mode

• If there is no solar or no surplus, charging pauses.
• If surplus solar is below the threshold, charging pauses.
• If surplus solar is above the threshold, charging runs on surplus solar only.

Hybrid mode

• If surplus solar is above the threshold, the wallbox uses solar for charging.
• If surplus solar is below the threshold, the wallbox keeps charging by drawing the remaining power from the grid.

Off mode

• The wallbox always charges at maximum power, whether solar is available or not.

Charging speed in solar only mode

Charging speed depends on:

• how much solar power your home produces,
• the weather,
• your car’s battery level and charging capability.

In many cases, surplus solar energy during the day can cover typical daily driving needs.