Battery Control Strategies
Quick Reference
| Strategy | Use Case | Setup Required |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Consumption | Maximize solar usage, minimize grid power | Setup guide ⚙️ |
| Dynamic | Optimize for hourly energy prices | Setup guide ⚙️ |
| Timed | Fixed schedule charging/discharging | Dashboard config only |
| Charge | Force charge from grid | Dashboard config only |
| Charge PV | Charge only from solar surplus | No setup needed |
| Full Stop | Disable all battery operations | No setup needed |
Switch strategies anytime via the Home Assistant dashboard.
Strategy Details
Self-Consumption (mandatory)
Uses a PID controller to maintain ~0W grid power by continuously adjusting battery charge/discharge. When solar production exceeds consumption, the battery charges. When consumption exceeds production, the battery discharges to cover the difference.
Note: This core strategy is used internally by other strategies but can also be selected directly. It is thus mandatory to configure.
⚙️ Setup required: PID tuning for optimal performance. See Self-consumption Setup Guide.
Flow: 02 strategy-self-consumption.json
Dynamic (Price-based)
Automatically charges during the cheapest hours, uses self-consumption during the most expensive hours (if price delta justifies battery use), and uses Charge PV during other periods.
Ideal for: Dynamic/hourly energy contracts to maximize financial savings.
⚙️ Setup required: Cheapest Hours integration and energy supplier configuration. See Dynamic Strategy Setup Guide.
Active strategy by period:
| Period | Active Strategy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest hours | Charge | Charge from grid during low-price windows to store energy |
| Most expensive hours | Self-Consumption | Discharge to minimize grid import and save costs |
| Other periods | Charge PV | Only charge from solar surplus, avoid grid charging |
Flow: 02 strategy-dynamic.json
Timed Charging/Discharging
Charge or discharge based on a fixed schedule. Configure time windows through the dashboard (e.g., charge during cheap night rates, discharge during expensive evening rates).
Ideal for: Time-of-use tariffs and predictable daily routines.
Flow: 02 strategy-timed.json
Charge (from grid)
Forces charging from grid until batteries reach the capacity indicated by the user.
Ideal for: Preparing for power outages or charging before expensive rate periods.
🔧 Settings: video explainer charge settings (on YouTube)
Flow: 02 strategy-charge.json
Charge PV (Solar-Only)
Charges batteries only from solar surplus. Never draws from grid for charging. PV stands for Photo Voltaic aka ‘solar panels’
Ideal for: Maximizing free solar energy without grid charging costs.
Flow: 02 strategy-charge-pv.json
Full Stop
Completely stops all battery operations.
Ideal for: Maintenance, testing, or emergency situations.
Flow: 02 strategy-full-stop.json