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More and more households want to gain more control over their own energy consumption. Solar panels often generate a lot of electricity in the middle of the day, while energy consumption is higher in the morning and evening. The ZinVolt Core stores available energy for when your home needs it.
The ZinVolt Core is a compact all-in-one home battery with a built-in inverter, battery storage, and smart energy management. The system starts with 4 kWh storage capacity and can be expanded to 8, 12, or 16 kWh.
In this article, you will read how the ZinVolt Core works, how the professional installation proceeds, and which capacity might suit your home.
What is the ZinVolt Core?
The ZinVolt Core is a fixed home battery system for residential use. The main module combines various components that are sometimes installed separately in other systems.
The ZinVolt Core integrates, among other things:
- 4 kWh integrated battery storage
- A built-in inverter
- Smart energy management
- A maximum charge and discharge capacity of 3,680 W
- Insights and settings via the ZinVolt app
- Measurement data via the included P1 dongle
Because these components are combined in one system, the installation remains clear. The Core forms the direct basis of the home battery. Additional ZinVolt Link modules are placed under the main module when more storage is needed.
How does smart energy storage work?
Solar panels often generate the most electricity around noon. At that moment, energy consumption in many homes is relatively low. Without a home battery, a portion of the surplus is fed back into the grid.
The ZinVolt Core can store available solar power for a later time. When household consumption increases and solar panels generate less, the stored energy can be used again.
A typical day might look like this:
- In the morning: your home uses electricity while solar generation is still limited.
- Around noon: solar panels generate more energy than your home immediately needs.
- The battery charges: a portion of the available surplus is stored in the ZinVolt Core.
- In the evening: the stored energy is used when solar generation decreases.
This reduces the difference between the moments of generation and consumption. You use more energy within your own home and draw less electricity from the grid at suitable times.
Why is a home battery becoming increasingly interesting?
The way households are compensated for fed-back solar power is changing. From January 1, 2027, the net metering scheme will end. From that moment on, fed-back electricity can no longer be offset against electricity consumed at a different time.
This makes it more important to monitor when you generate solar power and when you use it yourself. A home battery can store a surplus for the morning, evening, or any other time your home needs energy.
A battery does not make your home completely independent of the electricity grid. However, the system helps to distribute available energy more smartly throughout the day.
How is the ZinVolt Core installed?
For maximum power, we recommend professional installation by a ZinVolt installer. The battery is connected via a service switch and tailored to the electrical installation of the home.
A standard installation proceeds in four steps.
1. Technical inspection
Beforehand, the connection, meter cupboard, and desired location are checked. The installer assesses whether the situation is suitable for a safe installation.
2. Battery placement
The ZinVolt Core is placed in a stable, accessible, and well-ventilated location. Suitable places include a garage, utility room, storage room, or spacious attic.
3. Connection via a service switch
The battery is professionally connected to the electrical installation. The service switch allows the system to be safely and locally switched off during maintenance or inspection.
4. Setup and handover
The installer connects the ZinVolt Core, the P1 dongle, and the ZinVolt app. Afterwards, the operation is tested, and you receive an explanation of the system.
Ultimately, you will receive a fully functional home battery that is configured for your home and electrical connection.
Why do we recommend professional installation?
The ZinVolt Core has an inverter with a maximum charging and discharging capacity of 3,680 W. To use this power safely and efficiently, the electrical connection must be designed accordingly.
The installer checks, among other things:
- The available space in the meter cupboard
- The selected power circuit and phase
- The cables and electrical protection
- The distance between the meter cupboard and the battery
- Ventilation and accessibility around the system
- Communication with the P1 dongle and the ZinVolt app
Professional installation ensures that the Core is connected correctly and that the available power can be utilized effectively. You do not have to make any adjustments to the meter cupboard yourself.
Can the ZinVolt Core also be connected plug & play?
Yes, the ZinVolt Core can also be connected to a suitable grounded wall socket. With this connection method, the available discharge power is set to a maximum of 800 W by default.
This connection may be suitable if you mainly want to use the battery for the basic consumption of the home. Think of a refrigerator, router, lighting, and smaller appliances.
With higher power consumption, 800 W cannot fully cover the household consumption. If your home uses 1,800 W at a certain moment, the battery can supply a maximum of 800 W. The remaining 1,000 W is then supplemented from the electricity grid.
For the maximum power of 3,680 W, we therefore recommend installation via a service switch. The installer will then ensure the correct connection, protection, and settings.
Which storage capacities are available?
The ZinVolt Core has a modular design. You can start with 4 kWh and later expand the system if your energy needs change.
| Storage capacity | System configuration | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kWh | 1 ZinVolt Core | Limited surplus and lower evening consumption |
| 8 kWh | 1 Core with 1 ZinVolt Link | Average household with solar panels |
| 12 kWh | 1 Core with 2 ZinVolt Links | Higher energy consumption or larger solar installation |
| 16 kWh | 1 Core with 3 ZinVolt Links | High feed-in and high energy demand |
The examples in the table provide a general guideline. The best capacity depends on your actual generation, feed-in, and energy consumption.
How do you choose the right capacity?
A larger battery is not automatically the best choice. The storage capacity must match the amount of energy you regularly have left over and can use later.
When determining a suitable capacity, we look at, among other things:
- Your annual electricity consumption
- The annual yield of your solar panels
- The amount of electricity you feed back
- Your electricity consumption in the morning and evening
- The presence of a heat pump
- Charging an electric car
- Expected changes in your household
A household that feeds back a lot of solar power annually can utilize more storage than a home that uses most of the generation directly during the day.
With the ZinVolt Net Metering Check, you get an initial indication of the capacity that may match your energy data.
What does the P1 dongle do?
The ZinVolt P1 dongle is connected to the P1 port of the smart meter. The dongle measures how much electricity the home is currently consuming or feeding back.
This information is transmitted to the ZinVolt Core. This tells the system when a surplus is available for storage and when the home needs extra energy.
The P1 dongle helps the battery react quickly to changes in energy consumption. For example, when you turn on an appliance, the system sees that consumption increases. The Core can then make stored energy available within the set power limit.
What do you see in the ZinVolt app?
Through the ZinVolt app, you gain insight into the current status of the system. You can view, among other things:
- How full the battery is
- How much power the battery is charging or discharging
- How much electricity the home is consuming
- How much energy is exchanged with the electricity grid
- How energy flows develop throughout the day
You can also use different energy modes. In the self-consumption mode, available solar power is first used within the home. Any surplus is then stored in the battery.
With a dynamic energy contract, the battery can also be configured around fluctuating energy prices and desired charging times.
Where can the ZinVolt Core be placed?
The battery requires a stable and easily accessible location. There must be sufficient space around the system for heat dissipation, installation, and future maintenance.
Suitable locations include:
- A garage
- A dry storage room
- A well-ventilated utility room
- A spacious and accessible attic
The final location will be assessed during the technical inspection. This will consider the subfloor, temperature, ventilation, and distance to the electrical connection.
Who is the ZinVolt Core suitable for?
The ZinVolt Core can be interesting for households that want to manage their energy consumption more smartly and use more available solar power themselves.
The system is particularly suitable for homes where:
- Solar power is regularly fed back
- Evening consumption is higher than during the day
- An expandable home battery is desired
- Professional installation is considered important
- Insight via a clear app is desired
- Energy consumption may increase in the future
Even without solar panels, the Core can be used. With a dynamic energy contract, for example, the battery can charge at pre-set advantageous times. The financial result depends on the contract, settings, and daily energy consumption.
Discover which ZinVolt Core suits your home
The ZinVolt Core combines energy storage, an inverter, and smart energy management in one compact system. You can start with 4 kWh and later expand to 8, 12, or 16 kWh.
With professional installation via a service switch, the battery is tailored to your home. The installer takes care of the connection, links the P1 dongle, and sets up the ZinVolt app for you.
View the versions and possibilities of the ZinVolt Core.
Do you first want to know which capacity suits your energy consumption? Then do the free Net Metering Check.
Do you have a question about the installation, placement, or technical possibilities? Then contact ZinVolt. Our team will personally assist you.
