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Enphase Energy, Inc., a leading global energy technology company, has unveiled its new IQ® Bidirectional EV Charger architecture. This innovative system is designed to provide vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, allowing electric vehicle (EV) owners to power their homes during outages, charge their vehicles, and share energy with the electrical grid. The entire system can be managed through the Enphase® App for seamless control.
Key Highlights
- V2H and V2G Capability: The charger allows an EV to power a home during an outage and share energy back to the grid.
- Simple Installation: The system requires only the charger and an IQ® Meter Collar for a basic, cost-effective setup that is compatible with most home electrical systems.
- Powerful Performance: It is designed to deliver up to 11.5 kW of bidirectional power and support both 400 V and 800 V EVs.
- Black Start Resilience: A key feature allows the charger to power up a de-energized home simply by plugging in an EV, providing critical backup power.
- AI-Powered Management: The system uses artificial intelligence to optimize charging and discharging based on electricity rates, solar forecasts, and grid conditions to maximize savings.
Innovative Bidirectional Charging Technology
Enphase Energy’s new IQ Bidirectional EV Charger represents a significant step forward in home energy management. By connecting directly to the EV’s direct current (DC) port, the charger facilitates a faster and more intelligent transfer of power. This DC-coupled design, which incorporates the inverter directly into the charger rather than relying on the vehicle’s onboard system, is a key element of its advanced functionality. The architecture leverages GaN-based grid-forming microinverters to achieve its high power output.
This technology transforms a family car into an integral part of the home’s energy ecosystem. According to Jayant Somani, senior vice president of the digital business unit at Enphase Energy, the charger is engineered to be simple to install, easy to control, and capable of delivering backup power while enabling homeowners to share energy with the grid.
System Flexibility and Future Compatibility
A major advantage of the Enphase system is its modular and expandable design. Homeowners can begin with a foundational setup consisting of just the IQ Bidirectional EV Charger and the IQ® Meter Collar. This configuration provides immediate V2H and V2G benefits. Over time, users can easily expand their system by adding Enphase solar and batteries to create a comprehensive home energy solution tailored to their specific needs.
Enphase is designing the charger to meet rigorous global standards, including UL 9741, UL 3141, UL 1741 SB, ISO 15118-20, OCPP 2.1, and IEEE 1547. This commitment to compliance ensures broad compatibility with a wide range of current and future electric vehicles and utility programs worldwide. While the company plans to offer both AC and DC charging solutions, this initial announcement focuses on the advanced DC model.
The IQ Bidirectional EV Charger is being developed for global markets and is expected to become available in the second half of 2026.
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