Smart EV Charging with Solar | Save Energy, Save Money | Jousto

DRIVE ON SUNSHINE – SMART EV CHARGING POWERED BY YOUR SOLAR

Automatically charge your EV from solar and cheap off-peak power with the Jousto Energy Hub. Slash your charging costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

GoodWe Authorised Partner CEC Accredited Installers Australia-Wide Service

WASTING SOLAR POWER? PAYING TOO MUCH FOR EV CHARGING?

Without a smart system, your EV might be charging from expensive grid power even when your solar panels are producing excess energy.

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HIGH CHARGING COSTS

Charging an EV on standard grid electricity can add over $1,000/year to your bills – negating the savings of going electric.

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SOLAR OVERFLOW

When you charge without a smart system, excess solar often goes to the grid for mere cents, while your EV might draw power from the grid.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Time-of-use discounts, free solar hours, and your home battery's output – a regular charger can't take advantage of these, leaving savings on the table.

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JUGGLING APPS & TIMERS

Manually switching plugs or using multiple apps (solar app, EV app, etc.) is a hassle. It shouldn't require constant attention to charge efficiently.

MEET JOUSTO – YOUR HOME ENERGY BRAIN

Jousto brings together a smart EV charger and a powerful home energy hub. It's not just an EV charger – it's an energy automation system that knows when to draw from your solar, when to tap off-peak grid, and even how to share energy with your battery.

Jousto Energy Hub

THE JOUSTO ADVANTAGE

Our intelligent system connects to your solar, battery, EV charger, and appliances to automatically optimise when they run – turning a standard setup into a money-saving smart energy system.

  • Solar-Optimised Charging: Charges your EV using 100% solar power whenever available
  • Tariff Intelligence: Schedules charging to exploit cheaper night or midday rates, avoiding expensive peak times
  • Works with Any EV Setup: Use our recommended GoodWe Smart Charger or make your existing plug-in charger smart
  • Unified Control: One app to monitor your solar, battery, and EV in one place
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HOW DOES JOUSTO SMART CHARGING WORK?

Our system is designed to be simple to use while delivering powerful results. Here's how we make your EV charging smarter:

1

ENERGY HUB INSTALLATION

We install the Jousto Energy Hub device at your switchboard – it talks to your solar inverter, battery, and EV charger.

2

SMART EV CHARGER

We set up a GoodWe EV charger OR integrate your existing charger via a smart plug. The Hub communicates with the charger to control charging in real-time.

3

MONITORING & CONTROL

CT sensors monitor solar production and household usage. Jousto's intelligent software decides when to turn the EV charging on, off, or modulate it.

4

USER SETTINGS

Through the Jousto app, you set your preferences – e.g. "solar only mode", or "charge by 7am to 80%" – and Jousto automates the rest.

No solar? No problem – Jousto will simply use off-peak schedule to ensure you still save money. You can always upgrade with solar later.

Get Started Today

WHY CHOOSE JOUSTO?

Our smart EV charging solution offers benefits that standard chargers simply can't match.

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SLASH CHARGING COSTS

By prioritising free solar energy and cheap rates, you could charge at effective rates of just a few cents per kWh (some users pay $0 when solar covers it!).

FAST OR FLEXIBLE – YOU DECIDE

Need a quick charge? Override to boost at full power from grid + solar. Otherwise, let Jousto trickle-charge on sunshine. You get the best of both worlds.

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MAXIMISE YOUR SOLAR INVESTMENT

Every kWh sent to the grid earns maybe 5-10c; using that in your EV saves you ~30c/kWh. Jousto ensures your solar goes into your battery or car first.

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EXTEND BATTERY LIFESPAN

By managing the load, Jousto avoids overloading your home or grid connection. It can prevent your home battery from cycling unnecessarily.

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FUTURE-PROOF AND SCALABLE

Planning to get a battery or a second EV later? Jousto is ready – it can coordinate multiple devices and receives updates to support new tariff structures.

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PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT & INSTALLATION

Our team handles everything – from system design to installation by accredited electricians, and after-sales support.

OUR EV CHARGING SOLUTIONS

Choose from our range of smart EV chargers or integrate your existing charger with the Jousto Energy Hub.

GoodWe EV Charger 7kW POPULAR

GoodWe EV Charger 7kW

Single-phase AC charger with IP66 weatherproofing, perfect for most Australian homes. When paired with the Jousto Energy Hub, it becomes a solar-aware smart charger.

From $1,189
Get a Quote
GoodWe EV Charger 22kW

GoodWe EV Charger 22kW

Three-phase AC charger for faster charging speeds. Ideal for homes with three-phase power and EVs that support higher charging rates. Smart features when connected to the Jousto Energy Hub.

From $1,483
Get a Quote
Jousto Energy Hub

Jousto Energy Hub

Make any EV charger smart! Our Energy Hub can control your existing charger via a smart plug, allowing you to charge from solar and off-peak power without replacing your current hardware.

From $449
Get a Quote

HOW JOUSTO COMPARES

See how our smart charging solution stacks up against traditional EV charging options.

Feature Regular Charger Jousto Smart Charging
Uses excess solar Draws grid even if solar available Charges only on solar surplus by default
Time-of-Use aware Manual (user must set car timer) Automatic – follows tariff schedule you set
Upfront hardware cost $$ (if buying a solar smart charger like Zappi) $ Works with existing charger or affordable GoodWe unit
Integrated control Charger alone Coordinates with solar & battery (via Hub)
Monitoring Charger app (separate) One app for all energy (solar, battery, EV)

REAL RESULTS

"We installed Jousto with a 6kW solar system, and now my commute is essentially free. I love checking the app and seeing my car charged 100% from solar! During recent storms, we even used the car battery to power essential appliances when the grid went down."

Michael T.

Michael T.

Brighton, Melbourne

Solar Utilisation: 90% | Annual Savings: $1,240

"As a shift worker, I'm rarely home during daylight hours to charge my EV on solar. Jousto solved this by charging my car overnight on super off-peak rates, then using my daytime solar for the home battery. The system is completely automated – I just plug in and forget about it."

Sarah L.

Sarah L.

Norwood, Adelaide

Off-Peak Charging: 95% | Annual Savings: $980

EV CHARGING FAQs

Will this work with my car model?

Yes – Jousto works with all EVs and PHEVs. We either interface through the charger or directly with certain car APIs. From Teslas to Nissan Leafs, we've got you covered. Our system is compatible with all J1772 standard plugs, which is the Australian standard for EV charging.

Do I need a specific solar inverter or battery?

No specific brand needed. Jousto is compatible with most common solar inverters (Fronius, SolarEdge, GoodWe, Sungrow, etc.) and batteries. We'll check compatibility or use sensors to gather data if direct integration isn't available. Our system works with both new and existing solar setups.

What if I don't have a home battery?

No problem – Jousto will focus on your solar and grid. You can add a battery later and Jousto will integrate it then. Many of our customers start with solar + EV charging, then add battery storage as a future upgrade when they're ready.

Can I still charge my car quickly if needed?

Absolutely. You can always override to charge at full power (e.g., if you need to top-up in a hurry). Jousto's app allows you to switch to Fast Charge mode, after which it can revert to smart mode automatically. This gives you the flexibility to charge quickly when needed while still optimising for solar and off-peak rates most of the time.

Is the GoodWe charger any good?

Yes – GoodWe's 7kW (single-phase) and 22kW (3-phase) chargers are robust and affordable. They come with IP66 weatherproofing and a 2-year warranty (extendable). We pair it with Jousto to add smart features beyond its standard capabilities, giving you a great balance of cost and performance.

How much does this setup cost?

It depends on your configuration. Our GoodWe chargers start around $899, and the Jousto Energy Hub (with installation and setup) starts from $699. We'll provide a tailored quote – and remember, it's an investment that can pay itself off through energy savings in a few years. Also, financing options and any applicable rebates can make upfront costs easier.

How many solar panels do I need to charge my EV?

As a rule of thumb, we recommend about 1.5 kW of solar per 10-15 km of daily driving. For example, if you drive 50 km per day, an additional 5-6 kW of solar would cover your EV charging needs. However, this varies based on your driving habits, EV model, and local conditions. Our team can provide a personalised assessment based on your specific situation.

READY TO DRIVE ON SUNSHINE?

Join the growing number of Australian homeowners who have transformed their EV charging experience. It's time to reduce your bills, make full use of your solar, and enjoy the convenience of automation.

No obligations – just honest advice. Find out how much you could save.

Currently serving Adelaide, Melbourne and expanding Australia-wide.

No Solar Still Saving

Why Batteries Make Sense For Business

May 06, 20252 min read

Why Batteries Make Sense for Your Business—Even Without Solar

Save Money, Control Your Energy Costs, and Automate the Whole Process


If you're running a business in Australia, energy bills aren't just an expense—they’re often a headache.

But what if your power bill could become a strategic advantage instead?

Thanks to smarter tech and new tariffs, you can now use a battery system—with or without solar—to cut costs, protect cash flow, and stay ahead of the energy curve.

Yes, even without solar.

Here’s how.


🔄 You Can Now Charge Batteries From the Grid—And Save

In South Australia (and increasingly VIC and NSW), energy retailers now offer super-cheap power during the solar sponge (midday hours).

If you're on a Time-of-Use (TOU) or wholesale energy plan, that means:

  • ⚡ Power during 10am–3pm can be as low as 2–5¢/kWh

  • 🚨 Peak rates between 6am–10am and 3pm–10pm can reach 40–50¢/kWh

By charging a battery during the sponge, and using that stored energy later during peak hours, your business can:

  • Cut your peak grid consumption

  • Avoid nasty demand charges

  • Save thousands annually—even without panels on the roof


📊 Example: Office or Retail Site with 25kWh/day Usage

  • Grid charge during sponge: $1.25/day

  • Avoided peak power costs: ~$8–10/day

  • Net daily saving: ~$6–8

  • Annual saving: $2,000–$3,000+

And that's without solar. With solar, the savings grow even further.


🧠 Automation = Smarter, Not Harder

Sure, you could try to manage all of this manually…
…but most business owners don’t have the time.

That’s where the Jousto Energy Hub comes in.

It works quietly in the background to:

  • Detect sponge windows

  • Charge your battery at the lowest-cost times

  • Discharge to offset your peak usage

  • Keep your team focused—while it handles the smarts


💼 Which Businesses Can Benefit?

You don’t need to be running a factory to see serious savings.

Batteries make sense for:

  • 🏥 Clinics, dental, physio, vet practices

  • 🍽️ Cafes, bakeries, and restaurants

  • 🏢 Small offices (legal, financial, marketing, etc.)

  • 📦 Warehouses with fridges, forklifts, lighting

  • 🧰 Tradie sheds or workshops

Whether you're using 15kWh or 150kWh/day, the opportunity is real.


⚙️ No Solar? No Problem

The idea that you need solar to benefit from a battery is outdated.

Today, thanks to smart plans from providers like:

  • Energy Locals (TOU + VPP-ready plans)

  • LocalVolts (wholesale + peer-to-peer energy)

You can run a battery entirely on grid-charged energy—and still come out ahead.

Want full automation?
Let the Jousto Energy Hub run the show.


💬 How to Get Started

We’ll do the heavy lifting. You’ll get:

  • A clear savings model based on your usage

  • A smart battery system with or without solar

  • Setup of Jousto Energy Hub + automation

  • Help picking the right plan (TOU or wholesale)

  • Ongoing support and visibility

👉 Want to see how it works for your site?
Get a commercial battery quote here →

Batteries for BusinessesGrid Chargingenergy arbitrage
blog author image

Denny Honen

Denny Honen is a 20yr Renewable Energy Veteran. Denny is an Accredited solar and battery design engineer, and home energy auditor.

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