Can You Charge Your Electric Vehicle with Solar Panels at Home width
EV Charging with Solar
If you are an electric vehicle (EV) owner or in the market for one, you may have already considered the advantages of utilizing solar panels to charge your EV. By doing so, you can reduce both your electricity costs and the impact that your vehicle has on the environment.
While solar panels can effectively charge your electric vehicle, it's important to consider certain factors. This article will explore how solar panels work, the benefits of charging an electric car with solar panels, and the key considerations you should keep in mind.
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Understanding Solar Energy and Solar Panels
Using solar panels to power an electric vehicle can magnify the benefits of both. Before looking at how to charge an EV with solar, it is useful to understand how solar power systems work.
Solar energy refers to the radiant light and heat emitted by the sun, which can be captured and converted into solar power using photovoltaic (PV) cells.
These cells are made from semiconductor materials, such as silicon, and are arranged in solar panels installed on the rooftops of buildings and in large ground-mounted farms.
As sunlight hits a PV cell, it loosens electrons so that they can flow through the cell and produce electricity. The cells are made up of positively and negatively charged semiconductors that create an electric field, which drives the electrons toward the conductive metal plates lining the cell.
The amount of electricity produced by each cell is determined by the flow of this energy current. Solar cells can generate energy even on cloudy days, although they produce more power in direct sunlight.
The electricity generated by solar panels is in the form of direct current (DC), but most buildings use alternating current (AC). To convert the DC to AC, the electric current is directed through wires to an inverter.
The inverter converts the electricity from DC to AC and sends it to an electrical panel, also known as a breaker box, for distribution to buildings to power electrical devices.
Any unused electricity is sent to the electricity grid through the utility meter, which measures the flow of electricity from the grid to the property and vice versa.
Can You Charge Your Electric Vehicle with Solar Energy?
You can connect a solar PV panel system with an inverter to a regular EV charger, to charge the vehicles battery directly from solar power.
However, the amount of power a PV system generates depends on the time of year and the weather. On cloudy days or during winter when the days are shorter, you may need to supplement the power from the PV system with electricity from the grid to charge your EV to the level you require.
Even partially charging an EV with solar is a sustainable and cost-effective option, as it consumes fewer fossil fuels and requires less power from the grid.
Larger EV batteries typically need more PV panels to supply enough power for charging, so if you are looking to install a PV system specifically for charging your car, you should consult a professional to ensure you install the right system for your needs.
Benefits of Charging an EV with Solar at Home
Using a solar EV charger powered by a household PV system can save you time and money.
While EVs produce fewer carbon emissions than diesel or gasoline-fueled cars when on the road, charging the battery using electricity from coal-fired plants still produces emissions indirectly.
EV charging with solar further reduces their carbon footprint. A typical home PV installation can save around one ton of carbon per year, according to an estimate by the UK Energy Saving Trust.
Once it is installed, the lifespan of a well-maintained PV system is at least 25-30 years, providing a long-term solution to reducing your energy bills and the cost of EV charging.
Solar power systems typically work out cheaper over the long term than buying electricity from the power grid via a utility. Using an EV solar charger saves on fuel costs and gives you more control over your budget than driving a car fueled by gasoline or diesel, which is subject to fluctuating prices at the pump.
With a home solar power system, you also have the convenience of charging your EV at home at any time of day or night, without having to drive to a public charging station.
How to Charge Your EV with Solar
There are a few different options for using solar power to charge an EV.
- Install a home solar PV system and connect a Level 1 or 2 EV charger to run off your home electricity supply.
- Install a solar thermal system, which uses sunlight to heat water or air and can then heat the EV battery.
- Connect an EV charger to your home solar installation directly.
- If you need to charge your vehicle away from home, you can still charge it with solar energy by using a solar-powered public EV charging station. These stations are typically located in public places like gas stations and parking lots, providing convenient access for drivers who do not have access to a home solar EV charging station.
The Efficiency of EV Charging with Solar Panels
The charging efficiency of a typical electric vehicle battery depends on the ambient temperature, battery temperature, charge rate, length of the charging cable length, and the efficiency of the EVs power conversion system from AC to DC. When charging a battery from a solar EV charger, there are additional factors that come into play.
Power Output of the Solar Panels
Standard residential rooftop solar panels typically produce around 250-400 watts per hour, while the average domestic PV system produces 1-4 kilowatts (kW). Each kW of rooftop solar capacity can produce around 4 kWh per day or 1,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, depending on factors such as the location of the panels, season, and daily weather conditions.
To fully charge an EV with a 40 kWh battery, an average home PV system that produces an average of 1-4 kW of electricity will require an additional 3.1 kW system or 8-12 panels. This is based on an average vehicle traveling 14,000 miles per year, according to the US Federal Highway Administration. The average EV has a driving range of around three miles per kWh, so it will require around 4,666kWh of electricity.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV with Solar?
There are several factors that affect how long it takes to charge an EV with solar car charging stations. These include:
- the brand, make, and model of the vehicle
- the brand, level, and type of the charger
- the charging efficiency of the vehicle
- the size of the battery
- the battery level at the time of charging
- the power generated by the PV system
As the average home PV system can generate 1-4kW of electricity, it can fully charge an EV with a 40kWh battery in around eight hours.
A Level 1 home EV charging station typically charges at a maximum of 1.9kW, adding around five miles of driving range per hour, while a Level 2 charger can typically charge at a maximum of 19.2kW, adding around 25 miles of driving range per hour.
What to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels for Electric Car Charging
Before installing solar panels for electric car charging, there are several factors to consider. One important consideration is the size of your EV battery, which can range from 40kWh for a Nissan Leaf to 100 kWh for a Tesla Model S or Model X.
You will need to determine the number of solar panels you will need to power your EV charger to calculate the installation cost accordingly. If you already have a home solar PV system, you might need to add more panels to accommodate the increased electricity usage.
There are a few other factors you will also need to consider:
- How long it takes to receive approval to install new solar panels and how this fits with your EV charging needs;
- Whether you have enough rooftop space to install the solar panels you need;
- The cost of buying and installing a home charging system;
- Whether you also want to install a battery storage system to store excess solar energy and charge your vehicle overnight;
- Whether you can receive government subsidies for installing solar panels, battery storage, or an EV charger.
In addition to usage, you should also consider how much estimated daily sunlight your PV system will receive and local weather patterns.
Keep in mind that you will not often need to charge from a completely dead battery to full capacity. If you only drive a few miles a day, a few hours of charging will likely be enough to provide the range you need to run your EV.
Can Public EV Charging Stations Be Powered by Solar?
While some public charging infrastructures connected to the power grid use electricity that is generated from fossil fuels, there are public chargers that use electricity supplied by solar generation companies or on-site solar panels to provide clean energy for EVs.
Some charging stations have installed large solar canopies to shade vehicles from the elements while they charge. Solar canopies can also feed the clean electricity they generate back to the grid, further reducing their carbon footprint.
Public solar chargers also have the advantage of providing off-grid solutions to remote areas that may not be well-connected to the power grid, increasing EV adoption and promoting sustainable transportation options.
The Future of EVs & Solar Energy
The low-carbon energy transition is accelerating, driven by government policies on carbon emissions reduction and consumer preferences for environmental sustainability. Renewable energy, particularly solar power, is growing rapidly as a source of sustainable electricity generation that also reduces household energy bills and provides independence from centralized power grids.
Distributed solar power installations, such as household rooftop PV systems and EV charging stations with solar panels, have increased in popularity and grown exponentially in recent years. Increased availability of solar charging for electric vehicles paves the way for widespread adoption, providing homes and businesses with a clean source of electricity and low-cost charging.
Battery storage systems can maximize the benefits of PV systems by supplying clean electricity around the clock, allowing EV owners to charge their vehicles overnight.
Additionally, public solar-powered EV charging stations can provide off-grid solutions to meet the needs of drivers in different regions and communities, even when power grids are knocked offline by extreme weather and other conditions.
The future of solar power generation and storage is bright and the rise in drivers making the switch to EVs is increasing solar demand more than ever. Solar EV charging provides an affordable solution for environmentally conscious consumers to meet their needs for clean electricity.
FAQs
Why don't electric cars have solar panels?
That's because cars do not have enough space on the roof for installing solar panels to generate the amount of electricity needed to charge the battery.
How long does it take to charge an electric car with solar panels?
Charging an EV with solar panels can take eight hours or more, depending on the model of the vehicle, the size of the battery, the amount of direct sunlight, and the capacity of the solar PV system.
Can I charge my EV with portable solar panels?
Yes, it's possible to charge an electric vehicle with portable solar panels. However, it's important to keep in mind that portable solar panels may not generate enough power for a full charge, and charging times may be longer compared to using a home or public charging station.
It's crucial to ensure that the portable solar panels are compatible with your EV and that the charging process is safe and efficient.
Charging Your EV With Solar Panels and Using the EV Tax Credit To Lower the Cost
Ditching your gas-guzzler for an electric vehicle (EV) is a great way to lower the cost and emissions of getting from A to B. But charging an EV with solar panels is a next-level life hack for saving money, bypassing public charging, and all but eliminating your carbon footprint.
And with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 creating substantial incentives for EVs, solar, and battery, theres never been a better time to set up a solar powered charging station right in your own home.
Whether you already have an EV, solar panels, or neither, well discuss your options for charging an EV with solar panels.
What are the benefits of charging your EV with solar panels?
Around 80% of EV owners have a charging station in their own home. There are three main benefits to pairing that EV charger with solar panels:
- Lower charging costs
- Zero carbon emissions
- Convenience of charging at home
Lets start with how much money you can save by charging your EV with solar panels.
Home solar is the cheapest way to power a car
Historically, drivers have been at the mercy of gas prices and could only control how much they drive and, to some extent, how fuel efficient their vehicle is. But thats no longer the case. By going solar, they can control the cost of the fuel itself.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average driver puts on 13,476 miles per year, or nearly 37 miles per day. By charging an EV with solar panels, a Tesla Model 3 driver getting 3.33 miles per kWh would spend $1,500 less per year compared to filling a gas car that gets 30 miles per gallon at around $4 per gallon.
Charging an EV with solar is also cheaper than charging with grid energy or public EV chargers.
Heres how much it costs to charge the most popular EV (Tesla Model 3) on solar, grid, and public chargers versus fueling a comparable 30 miles per gallon combustion car.
Cost of charging an EV with solar vs other fueling methods
| Charging method | Model 3 on home solar | Model 3 on grid energy | Model 3 on public charger | 30 mpg combustion car |
| Miles per unit of fuel | 3.33 miles per kWh | 3.33 miles per kWh | 3.33 miles per kWh | 30 miles per gallon |
| Distance per year | 13,476 miles | 13,476 miles | 13,476 miles | 13,476 miles |
| Fuel per year | 4,047 kWh | 4,047 kWh | 4,047 kWh | 450 gallons |
| Cost of fuel per unit | $0.08 per kWh | $0.166 per kWh | $0.40 per kWh | $3.96 per gallon |
| Total fuel cost per year | $323.75 | $671.77 | $1,618.40 | $1,777.04 |
Lets break this down a little further. Charging an EV with solar is:
- 51% cheaper than charging on grid power
- 80% cheaper than charging on public chargers
- 81% cheaper than filling up a 30 mpg car at $4 per gallon
Keep in mind, these figures will vary by the model of car, distance traveled, and the cost of fuel and any given time.
In fact, the price of home solar energy is the only constant. Once you purchase and install solar through solar.com, your EV charging costs are fixed at around 6 to 8 cents per kWH for the life of the system.
Thats not true for grid energy or gas. Since 1990, grid energy has increased by an average of 1.98% annually, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). And over the last 87 years, the price per gallon of gas has increased on average 3.89% annually.
Heres how that looks over the 25 year life of a home solar system:
Over 25 years, the average driver charging an EV with solar panels will save:
- Over $14,000 by charging an EV with home solar compared to grid energy
- Nearly $70,000 compared to fueling a gas car that gets 30 miles per gallon
In an era dominated by inflation, home solar is the best hedge against rising energy and EV charging costs.
Related reading:Charging a Tesla Model 3 With Solar Panels vs Grid Electricity
Home solar is the cleanest way to charge an EV
Not only does home solar fix your EV charging costs at an ultra-low rate, it all but eliminates your driving emissions.
The classic argument against electric vehicle charging is that we cant control where the energy comes from, and thats true. If your local grid or public charging stations are powered by fossil fuels, then so is your EV.
For reference, the US Energy Information Administration estimates that renewables will generate 24% of electricity in the US in 2023. The good news is that your EV is capable of running on clean energy, and will do so increasingly as renewables continue to increase their share of production.
But the same cant be said for cars with internal combustion engines, aka ICE vehicles. A tiger cant change its stripes, and no matter how fuel efficient, ICE vehicles will always cough out greenhouse gas emissions that pollute local air and contribute to climate change.
For now, charging with home solar is the only surefire way to charge your EV on clean energy and eliminate your vehicle emissions.
Related reading: How Many Solar Panels Does It Take To Charge An EV?
Charging your EV at home is convenient
Next to cost (which the Inflation Reduction Act will help with), one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership is range anxiety. In other words, people are worried that charging stations are too few and far between.
Well, how does having a solar power charging station right in your own home sound?
Imagine waking up every morning to a fully-fueled vehicle and never having to wait in line at a public charging or smelly gas station. Pretty sweet set-up, right? Now imagine paying the lowest-possible price to charge your EV by pairing it with solar.
All things considered, charging an EV with solar is cheap, clean, and convenient. Now lets look at how to create this match made in renewable-energy heaven.
See how much you could save by charging your EV with solar panels.
Tax credits for buying an EV
President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law on August 16 which includes the Clean Vehicle Credit for new and used EVs and qualifying plug-in hybrids.
Americans can get a $7,500 tax credit for buying a new EV or a $4,000 tax credit for buying a used EV (up to 30% of the price).
Clean Vehicle Credit incentives
| New EV | Used EV | |
| Maximum incentive | $7,500 | $4,000 (up to 30% of purchase price) |
Better yet, the tax credit can be transferred to the dealer at the point of sale. That means instead of waiting to use the credit when you file your taxes, you can use the tax credit to reduce the purchase price of the EV.
The Clean Vehicle credit will be in effect for 10 years beginning on January 1, 2023, but there is a kicker: Not all EVs and buyers qualify, consult a tax professional with questions about the Clean Vehicle tax credit.
Lets look at some of the qualification requirements.
Used vehicle eligibility
Used EVs must be sold by a dealer (no back-alley Craigslist deals) and the credit only applies to the first time it is resold, based on its VIN number.
Income limits
The Clean Vehicle credit is designed to help make EVs accessible to a larger population of Americans not necessarily to help buyers that can already afford them. So the IRA includes income limits to qualify for the tax credit.
The maximum income to qualify for the $7,500 new EV credit is $150,000 per year, or $300,000 for joint filers.
In order to qualify for the $4,000 used EV tax credit, the maximum income is $75,000 per year or $150,000 for joint filers.
Price limits
In addition to income limits, there are price limits on the vehicles that qualify for the Clean Vehicle credit based on the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP).
The Clean Vehicle Credit price limits are:
- $80,000 for new SUVs, pickups, and vans
- $55,000 for new sedans
- $25,000 for used EVs
Again, the point is to help everyday Americans trade in their gas-guzzlers for EVs, not reward hedge fund managers for pre-ordering Electric Hummers.
Manufacturing requirements
Finally, there are manufacturing requirements designed to encourage local sourcing, manufacturing, and recycling, mostly for battery components.
First, effective immediately, the IRA requires final assembly for eligible EVs to take place in North America.
Then, beginning January 1, 2023, eligible EVs must have 50% of battery components made or assembled in North America. This requirement steps up each year until reaching 100% in 2029.
The IRA also requires that a certain percentage of battery minerals come from free trade partners or are recycled in North America. The threshold starts at 40% in 2023 and gradually increases to 80% by 2027.
These requirements will do two things:
- Limit the number of EVs that qualify for the Clean Vehicle credit
- Super-charge local EV and battery manufacturing, recycling, and technology
Which EVs qualify for the Clean Vehicle credit?
In March 2023, the US Treasury Department released guidance for the EV tax credit, giving us a good idea of which vehicles will be eligible in 2023.
Based on this guidance, the Department of Energy released a list of eligible vehicles on fueleconomy.gov.
New EV credit eligible vehicles 2023
| Make | Model | Year | Credit amount |
| Audi | Q5 TFSI e Quattro (PHEV) | 2023 | $7,500 |
| BMW | 330e | 2021-2023 | $5,836 |
| X5 xDrive45e | 2021-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Cadillac | Lyriq | 2022-2024 | $7,500 |
| Chevrolet | Bolt | 2022-2023 | $7,500 |
| Bolt EUV | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Silverado EV | 2024 | $7,500 | |
| Chrysler | Pacifica PHEV | 2022-2023 | $7,500 |
| Ford | E-Transit | 2022-2023 | $7,500 |
| Escape Plug-In Hybrid | 2022-2023 | $6,843 | |
| F-150 Lightning | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Mustang Mach-E | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Genesis | Electrified GV70 | 2023-2024 | $7,500 |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee 4xe | 2022-2023 | $7,500 |
| Wrangler 4xe | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Lincoln | Aviator Grand Touring | 2022-2023 | $6,534 |
| Corsair Grand Touring | 2022-2023 | $6,843 | |
| Nissan | Leaf S | 2021-2023 | $7,500 |
| Leaf S Plus | 2021-2022 | $7,500 | |
| Leaf SL Plus | 2021-2022 | $7,500 | |
| Leaf SV | 2021-2022 | $7,500 | |
| Leaf SV Plus | 2021-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Rivian | R1S | 2022-2023 | $7,500 |
| R1T | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Tesla | Model 3 Long Range | 2022-2023 | $7,500 |
| Model 3 Performance | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Model 3 RWD | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Model Y All-Wheel Drive | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Model Y Long Range | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Model Y Performance | 2022-2023 | $7,500 | |
| Volkswagen | ID.4 | 2023 | $7,500 |
| ID.4 AWD Pro | 2023 | $7,500 | |
| ID.4 AWD Pro S | 2023 | $7,500 | |
| ID.4 Pro | 2023 | $7,500 | |
| ID.4 Pro S | 2023 | $7,500 | |
| ID.4 S | 2023 | $7,500 | |
| Volvo | S60 (PHEV) | 2022 | $5,419 |
| S60 Extended Range | 2022 | $7,500 | |
| S60 T8 Recharge (Extended Range) | 2023 | $7,500 |
Used EV tax credit eligible vehicles 2023
| Make | Model | Year |
| Audi | A3 e-tron | 2016-2018 |
| A3 e-tron ultra | 2016 | |
| A7 55 TFSI e Quattro | 2021 | |
| A7 TFSI e Quattro | 2022 | |
| A8 L 60 TFSI e Quattro | 2021 | |
| A8L PHEV | 2020 | |
| e-tron | 2019, 2021-2022 | |
| e-tron GT (e-tron GT/RS e-tron GT models) | 2022-2023 | |
| e-tron S (standard and Sportback models) | 2022 | |
| e-tron Sportback | 2020-2021 | |
| Q4 50 e-tron Quattro (standard and Sportback models) | 2022 | |
| Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro | 2021 | |
| Q5 PHEV | 2020 | |
| Bentley | Bentayga Hybrid SUV | 2020-2021 |
| BMW | 330e | 2016-2018, 2021 |
| 330e xDrive | 2021 | |
| 530e | 2018-2021 | |
| 530e xDrive | 2018-2021 | |
| 740e | 2017 | |
| 740e xDrive | 2018-2019 | |
| 745e xDrive | 2020-2021 | |
| i3 (60 Ah) Sedan | 2017 | |
| i3 Sedan | 2014-2021 | |
| i3 Sedan with Range Extender | 2014-2021 | |
| i3s Sedan | 2018-2021 | |
| i3s Sedan with Range Extender | 2018-2021 | |
| i8 | 2014-2017 | |
| i8 Coupe | 2019-2020 | |
| i8 Roadster | 2019-2020 | |
| X3 xDrive30e | 2020-2021 | |
| X5 xDrive40e | 2016-2018 | |
| X5 xDrive45e | 2021 | |
| Cadillac | ELR | 2014-2016 |
| Chevrolet | Bolt | 2017-2021 |
| Spark EV | 2014-2016 | |
| Volt | 2011-2019 | |
| Chrysler | Pacifica PHEV | 2017-2021 |
| Fiat | 500e | 2013-2019 |
| Ford | C-Max Energi | 2013-2017 |
| Escape Plug-in Hybrid | 2020-2021 | |
| Focus Electric | 2012-2018 | |
| Fusion Energi | 2013-2020 | |
| Mustang Mach-E | 2021 | |
| Honda | Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | 2018-2021 |
| Hyundai | Ioniq Electric Battery Vehicle | 2017-2019 |
| Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle | 2018-2021 | |
| Kona Electric Vehicle | 2019-2021 | |
| Nexo Blue Fuel Cell Vehicle | 2019-2021 | |
| Nexo Fuel Cell Vehicle | 2019-2021 | |
| Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle | 2016-2019 | |
| Mercedes-Benz | B-Class EV (B250e) | 2014-2017 |
| GLC350e 4matic | 2018-2019 | |
| GLC350e 4matic EQ | 2020 | |
| GLE550e 4matic PHEV | 2016-2018 | |
| S550e PHEV | 2015-2017 | |
| S560e EQ PHEV | 2020 | |
| MINI | Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 | 2018-2021 |
| Cooper S E Hardtop | 2020-2021 | |
| Mitsubishi | i-MiEV | 2012-2014, 2016-2017 |
| Outlander PHEV | 2018-2021 | |
| Nissan | Leaf S | 2013-2021 |
| Leaf S Plus | 2019-2021 | |
| Leaf SL | 2011-2019 | |
| Leaf SL Plus | 2019-2021 | |
| Leaf SV | 2011-2021 | |
| Leaf SV Plus | 2019-2021 | |
| Porsche | Cayenne E-Hybrid (All models) | 2015-2021 |
| Panamera E-Hybrid (All models) | 2014-2016, 2018-2021 | |
| Taycan (All EV Models) | 2020-2021 | |
| smart USA | Cabrio EV | 2013-2015, 2017-2018 |
| Coupe EV | 2013-2018 | |
| EQ Fortwo Cabrio | 2019 | |
| EQ Fortwo Coupe | 2019 | |
| Subaru | Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid | 2019-2021 |
| Toyota | Mirai | 2016-2021 |
| Prius Prime Plug-In Hybrid | 2017-2021 | |
| RAV4 EV | 2012-2014 | |
| RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid | 2021 | |
| Volkswagen | e-Golf | 2015-2019 |
| ID.4 (First Edition, Pro, Pro S, AWD Pro, AWD Pro S models) | 2021 | |
| Volvo | S60 T8 | 2019-2021 |
| S90 | 2018-2021 | |
| V60 | 2020-2021 | |
| XC40 Recharge | 2021 | |
| XC60 | 2018-2021 | |
| XC90 | 2016-2021 | |
| XC90 Excellence | 2018-2019 |
Remember, even if the vehicle you want doesnt qualify for a tax credit, the average driver will still save thousands of dollars per year on fuel alone by charging an EV at home compared to paying for gas.
Setting up an EV charging system
The combination of a solar panel system and EV charging station brings several benefits and provides a cost-effective way to produce and make use of your solar energy.
Solar inverters are an important piece of this puzzle. Before your solar energy can be used by most of your devices and appliances, it must be converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). This is also the case for fueling your electric car with solar energy.
The actual charging port will be installed and connected to the inverter so that it can draw the electricity and send it into the electric cars battery.
Another option however, is to use a product like the new SolarEdge EV charging inverter, which pairs the charger and the inverter into one device.
Related reading: EV Charging Everywhere: An Interview with EVMatch
How much does an EV charging station cost?
According to Carvana, Level 1 and Level 2 home charging stations cost between $1,000 and $2,000 for parts and labor. Level 3 chargers can cost up to $50,000, but they work exclusively with certain EVs. Most EV drivers will stick to Level 1 and 2 chargers.
Unfortunately, the IRA doesnt have specific incentives for EV chargers. But it does offer incentives for upgrading your wiring and electric panel, which may be necessary when adding a charging station.
Even so, by charging an EV with solar panels instead of grid energy the average driver will recoup that cost of a typical Level 1 or 2 charger within two to six years.
Charging an EV with solar versus grid energy
| Annual cost of charging with solar | Annual cost of charging on grid* | Cumulative savings | |
| Year 1 | $323.75 | $671.78 | $348.03 |
| Year 2 | $323.75 | $685.08 | $709.36 |
| Year 3 | $323.75 | $698.64 | $1,084.25 |
| Year 4 | $323.75 | $712.48 | $1,472.98 |
| Year 5 | $323.75 | $726.58 | $1,875.82 |
| Year 6 | $323.75 | $740.97 | $2,293.04 |
*Based on average annual price increase of 1.98% since 1990.
Not a bad deal for never having to visit a gas station or public charger again!
Compare quotes from vetted local solar installers.
Should I buy solar panels or an EV first?
To complete the EV solar charging trifecta youre going to need you guessed it solar panels.
Whether you already have a home solar system or not, youll almost certainly need to add some panels to power your EV its just a matter of how many. The good news is that the IRA increased the solar tax credit to 30% for the next 10 years, which puts a substantial dent in the cost.
Lets go through two common EV-solar scenarios.
Scenario 1: Getting an EV before you have solar
If you get an EV before you have solar, great! Your next step is to install an EV charging station so you can charge at home with grid energy (the second cheapest option to home solar).
In this scenario, its recommended to take a few months to establish your EV battery usage and its effect on your energy bill. Having a solid set of data will help solar installers make a precise calculation of how much solar you need to offset your electricity usage.
Once youve got a baseline and youre ready to cut your EV charging bill in half, head to solar.com to get binding quotes on a solar system.
Scenario 2: Getting an EV when you already have solar
If you already have solar before you get an EV, great! Like the previous scenario, your next step is to get an EV charging station so you can charge at home with solar energy.
What youll likely find is that until you add panels to account for your EV usage, your solar system wont completely offset your electricity usage, and you may end up with a electricity bill at the end of the year.
Theres two ways to fix this:
- Get a couple months worth of data to know exactly how much extra solar capacity you need
- Work with a solar.com Energy Advisor to estimate how many additional panels youll need to offset your EV usage
Lets do some math to get a ballpark figure of how many solar panels it takes to charge an EV.
How many solar panels does it take to charge an EV?
The exact amount of panels required to charge an EV with solar depends on type of panel, EV battery size, distance traveled, and the amount of sun exposure. But in general, it takes between 5 and 12 panels to charge an EV entirely on solar power (perhaps less if you work from home).
Just to get a ballpark, lets use as an example the Nissan LEAF SV Plus, which has a 62 kWh battery and 215 mile range, since its eligible for the $7,500 Clean Vehicle credit.
First, calculate output per panel
First, we need to consider the amount of energy that an individual solar panel is producing. The energy production of a solar panel is dependent on its material, size, efficiency, age, and a few other factors.
Assuming 5 hours of sunlight a day, a typical 250 watt solar panel will produce around 37.5 kWh of AC per month or 1.25 kWh a day. Again, this is an estimate and lots of factors will affect production.
5 hours of sun per day X 250 watt = 1,250 Watt-hours or 1.25 kWh per day
Next, calculate your EV battery usage
Now lets calculate how much solar output youll need to charge your EV battery.
The average driver travels 37 miles per day and the LEAF gets 3.7 miles per kWh. That translates to 10 kWh of electricity per day.
You can easily adjust this calculation to meet your driving habits and EV efficiency.
37 miles per day / 3.7 miles per kWh = 10 kWh of electricity per day
Finally, divide EV usage by solar panel output
If one 250 watt solar panel can produce approximately 1.25 kWh a day of AC electricity, and you need 10 kWh of electricity per day, that means you would need eight 250 watt panels to charge your Nissan LEAF EV entirely on solar power.
10 kWh of EV usage / 1.25 kWh of production per panel = Eight 250-watt panels
If you upgraded to premium 400-watt solar panels that produce 2 kWh per day, you would only need 5 panels in this scenario. On the other hand, if youre only getting 4 hours of sun per day, youd need closer to 12 250-watt panels to charge your EV.
The scenarios are endless and well admit that the math gets a little dense. If you need more clarity on your own situation, its best to speak with an energy advisor to discuss your specific needs.
Should I charge my EV with solar panels?
You should charge your EV with solar panels only if you want the cheapest, cleanest, and most convenient driving experience possible.
In other words yes.
The obvious hurdle is upfront cost for both EVs and solar panels. However, the IRA created beefed-up incentives for both things, including a $7,500 tax credit for new EVs and 30% tax credit for solar and battery, which can help soften the blow.
Heres the other way to look at it: Charging your EV with solar costs about 50% less than charging with grid power and at least 75% less than public charging or gas. All youre doing is buying 25+ years worth of fuel at once for a significant discount just like buying bulk at Costco.
Solar panels are a cost-effective way to fuel your electric car and may require anywhere from 5 to 12 solar panels. You can use the averages above as a benchmark when doing your own analysis, and if you ever need help do not hesitate to talk with one of our energy advisors today!
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