Solar PV, Immersun and plug-in hybrid..

Heedtheadvice

Your help and advice requested please to optimise the configuration for best use of available power.

I have had the former two for several years using any xs power to heat a greenhouse and an immersion heater. Select immersun priority depending upon time of year and need but, as I have gas central heating with a HWC for storage, spring and autumn sees the greenhouse (only consuming about 750 watts) taking priority (by choice). Not as bad as it might be as financially that equates to about 2kW gas power purchased. Immersion would normally use most of the xs - for a time when it can for the rest of the year. This however still leave approx 50% exported in decent generation periods (4hWp, south facing).

Have now purchased a plug-in hybrid car (Hyundai Ioniq) that will use 3kW power when charging from the ICCB (domestic 13A ) charger cable. No wall box at present. So far (early days) just charge manually if needed and/or when we have xs generation.

That is hardly ideal as an auto system to give charge when we have xs plus manually when we need to charge too (if a low battery level) and that would be much better.

Now not too familiar with the car yet and it's auto charging (probably wallbox?) capabilities or external equipment that could be used! Immersun functionality is great (could use the 'relay' output to provide a control signal for switching) but standard outputs use voltage variation that normally can only feed a resistive load. Those might not be suitable for the car!! (The ICCB just says 240v)

Anyone know a good eco and financially attractive and good solution or has any advice. I feel sure some posters have already been down this road. Not sure if we can get Octopus in our area or being a 8kWh car battery if that would even be worth it.

T.I.A.

[Deleted User]

If you have electricity, then you can sign up to Octopus in any area: prices vary by DNO region. Your EV battery size mitigates against getting a 7.2kWh charging point. FWIW, I have a 7kWp array with battery and an i3. My excess solar goes to the battery; to the immersion heater,  and finally to my i3 (the latter via a Zappi 2 EVSE that will charge at any output >1.3kWs).

Heedtheadvice

Thanks Dolor that's useful info. I'll look into the zappi