Growatt THOR 7kW EV Charger Review UK: Specs & Verdict

The Growatt THOR 07AS-SE is a 7kW single-phase smart EV charger from the same company that makes many of the UK's budget solar inverters. It is one of the cheapest 7kW smart chargers you can have installed, and it can charge from surplus solar. This review works through Growatt's UK datasheet and this site's product data to answer the practical question: when does the THOR make sense, and when should you pay more for a charger with a more established UK solar-divert track record, such as the myenergi Zappi?

Growatt THOR 07AS-SE specs

The THOR 07AS-SE delivers up to 7kW (32A) from a single-phase supply through a Type 2 connector, in an IP65 case rated for outdoor use. Figures below are from Growatt's UK-version datasheet for the THOR 07AS-SE/PE-V1.

• Output: 7kW maximum, 32A, 230V AC single phase, 50/60Hz
• Connector: IEC 62196-2 Type 2. Growatt's datasheet covers the socket (SE) and 5m-cable (PE) versions together, so confirm which one your installer quotes. Our product data lists the SE as untethered
• Protection: over/under voltage, overload, short circuit, earth leakage, over-temperature and lightning protection, plus 6mA DC fault current protection
• Environment: IP65, −25 to +50°C, up to 2,000m altitude, natural cooling, standby draw under 8W
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Ethernet as standard, 4G optional; OCPP 1.6 communication; optional MID meter
• Access control: app, plug-and-charge or RFID, with an emergency stop button and LED indicator (no LCD)
• Certification: UKCA and CE marked (LVD and EMC)
• Size and weight: 240 × 380 × 164mm; the datasheet lists roughly 3–5kg depending on version

Our product data lists the charger at £259 ex VAT and as OZEV-eligible, but prices move and grant rules have narrowed, so check the current EV charger grant rules before assuming any support applies to your home.

The four work modes

Growatt lists multiple work modes: Fast, PV Linkage, Off-peak and Load balancing. In practice these cover the four things most solar owners want from a charger.

• Fast: charge at full power as soon as you plug in.
• Off-peak: schedule charging into cheap overnight windows on a time-of-use tariff. See our EV charging tariff guide.
• PV Linkage: follow surplus solar so the car soaks up exported energy instead of the grid.
• Load balancing: trim charging so the house does not exceed its supply limit.

Solar charging: what to check before you buy

The headline claim is that the THOR can "charge EV with 100% renewable energy by surplus solar power", and the datasheet confirms an integration route with new and existing PV systems. The catch is in the wording: a charger can only follow your surplus if it can measure what the house is importing or exporting. That generally means a grid-side meter or sensor, and in Growatt's ecosystem that points towards a Growatt inverter and meter. Our listing notes that solar-aware charging works when paired with a Growatt inverter and smart meter, so do not assume it will divert from another brand's inverter. Ask the installer exactly which meter and firmware are needed, and get that written into the quote. If your array is not Growatt, a charger built around its own sensor, covered in our best EV charger for solar panels guide, is often the safer route.

Also be realistic about the physics. A typical UK domestic array exports a few kilowatts at best, and a 7kW charger usually needs a minimum charge current before it will start, so small amounts of surplus may go unused. Surplus-only charging therefore works best on sunny days with a decent array; our solar sizing for EV charging guide explains how many panels you need.

Smart charge point rules

Private home chargers sold in Great Britain after 30 June 2022 must have smart functionality under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, and must not lose it if you change electricity supplier. The THOR's app scheduling and OCPP connection are how it meets that expectation, but confirm with your installer that the specific model supplied is compliant. See EV charger speed and tethering explained for how socket and cable versions differ in practice.

Pros and cons

Strengths: low price for a 7kW smart charger; IP65 outdoor build; wide protection set including DC fault protection; OCPP 1.6; one app (ShinePhone) if you already monitor a Growatt inverter.

Weaknesses: solar diversion is tied to Growatt hardware; fewer UK installers know the charger than know Growatt inverters; the app is functional rather than polished; Chinese-brand warranty support can be variable, so read the terms (our listing records two years). Compare this with the Pod Point Solo 3, a UK-built alternative worth comparing on price and support terms.

Who should buy the Growatt THOR?

It suits homes that already run a Growatt solar inverter and want one app for generation and charging, and budget buyers who mainly want scheduled off-peak charging. It is a weaker choice if you have a different inverter brand and want automatic solar diversion, or if you value long installer familiarity and UK support. Whichever charger you choose, use a qualified installer; see our installer qualification guide.