How & Why to Charge Your EV with Solar Panels

If you drive an electric vehicle, installing residential solar panels is a no-brainer! The money you save on charging costs will add up quickly and you could break even on your solar installation in just a few years. 

In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about using solar panels to charge your electric car and what you’ll get out of making the switch. 

Let’s dive in! 

Charging Your EV with Solar Panels  

Charging your electric car with solar panels is very straightforward. Solar panels generate electricity, which is then sent to your electrical panel and distributed to the various appliances and outlets in your home. This is the same way the power you buy from the electric grid is distributed throughout your home. 

To charge your EV with your solar panels, you just need to plug in your EV at home. You can use either a standard level one charger or a level two EV charging station like the Tesla Powerwall—solar can power either. The power your solar panels produce will be routed to the outlet you plug into and used to charge your vehicle. 

Charging Your EV with Solar Panels at Night 

Of course, you need sunlight to generate solar power, which means you won’t be able to use your solar panels for EV charging at night. You can get around this by installing solar battery storage. Solar batteries store the excess electricity your solar panels generate during the day so you can use solar power around the clock. 

You can also use net metering to offset your overnight charging costs. Net metering allows you to sell the excess power your solar panels produce during the day to the electric grid in exchange for credits. Your credits will offset the cost of electricity you buy from the grid at night, so you benefit from solar power even when your panels are not producing electricity. 

Benefits of Solar-Powered EV Charging 

Charging your EV at home with solar panels has many benefits overcharging from the grid. 

Drive without Using Fossil Fuel 

Electric cars don’t run on gas, but if you charge from the grid, you’re still using fossil fuels to drive. Most grid electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. When you charge with solar, you’re using 100% clean and renewable energy to charge your car, significantly reducing your carbon footprint. 

Save on Charging Costs 

If you drive an EV, you know how expensive it is to charge from the grid. Solar panels allow you to produce your own electricity at a much lower cost per kilowatt hour than you’ll get from the grid, so you save money on every charge. 

More Energy Security 

Driving an electric vehicle and charging it with solar panels puts you in total control of your own electricity access. You’ll have more stable and predictable charging costs, and you’ll be less dependent on outside sources for power. 

There are Federal Incentives for EVs and Solar Panels 

There has never been a better time to transition to solar energy. The federal government is currently offering a 30% tax credit for solar panel and battery storage installation, and an electric vehicle tax credit worth up to $7,500! 

Get a Custom Solar Design to Charge Your EV & Maximize Savings 

Boston Solar installs custom solar power systems that are tailored to your specific needs. We will analyze your home’s energy usage, including the amount of power it takes to charge your electric vehicle and design a solar panel system that covers up to 100% of your usage. We are a locally owned solar panel installer that has been empowering New England for over 11 years, and we make it easy to switch to solar. 

Charge your EV for free with solar power. Call 617-858-1645 or contact us to learn more.