Choosing the best home EV charger to work with your solar panels.

Did you know you could help to power your electric vehicle (EV) using the sun’s rays? Charging your EV with solar power could help to cut your electricity bills and lower your carbon footprint. See it as a means of topping up from your own clean, free power supply. But first, you’ll need the right bit of kit – a great EV charger. Think of it as the link between your solar panels and your car's battery.

We offer reliable EV chargers designed to work effortlessly with your home solar panel system. Find out everything you need to know about pairing the best home EV charger with solar panels.

Understanding how solar panels can power your EV.

We’ll begin by taking a look at how your roof can become your solar car charger – luckily, it’s not as complex as it sounds.

Turning sunshine into electricity.

Sunlight hitting your solar panels creates direct current (DC) electricity as electrons are dislodged. This DC power flows to an inverter, which converts it to alternating current (AC) – the type of electricity powering your home and EV charger. Think of the inverter as an electricity translator. Learn more about charging electric cars with solar panels.

The role of solar batteries.

Solar batteries come in handy when the sun’s hiding. They're big, rechargeable batteries for your home. Any extra electricity your solar panels make in the day that you don’t use is stored in the battery. Then, when it's cloudy or you're using more power than your panels make, you can use the stored energy to power your home or charge your EV. This means you can benefit from solar power even when the sun's not shining.

Can your current solar setup charge your EV?

So, you’re already set up with solar but you’re unsure if it's enough to keep your EV charged up? Now, we’ll dive into the specifics, including system capacity requirements and checking if your solar output meets your EV charging needs.

Sizing up your solar panel system's capacity.

Firstly, you’ll need to know the size of your solar panel system, usually measured in kilowatts (kW). The more kilowatts your system can produce, the more electricity you'll have for your home and car. It’s also important to point out that every solar panel system produces a different amount of energy across the year. It all depends on factors like location, pitch, orientation, and shading of the array. The rated power and energy of your system should be given on the paperwork you got with your panels, to help you understand what to expect.

Matching output to your needs.

Now for a bit of simple maths. Consider your EV's daily or weekly charging requirements against your solar system’s typical output, which can fluctuate with seasons. Sunny summers might give ample power for your car and home, but dull winter days can differ. However, any solar energy you can capture into your car's battery is cheaper, cleaner and greener than grid electricity.

Key considerations when choosing your EV charger.

Let’s walk you through some other key considerations before you make your choice, from understanding EV efficiency and exciting vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech to picking the perfect home charger for your needs.

Energy efficient EVs.

When you're thinking about getting an EV to go with your solar panels, it's worth looking at how many miles you could get for each unit of electricity (kWh). Cars that are more efficient will go further on the same amount of solar energy. It's like choosing a car that doesn't use much petrol – you get more miles for your money (or in this case, more miles for your sunshine!).

Vehicle-to-grid technology.

Keep an eye out for features like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. This is still quite new, but it allows your EV to not only take power from the grid (or your solar system) but also send electricity back. Imagine your car battery acting like another power bank for your house! Smart charging compatibility is also really important, as we've already talked about, for making the most of your solar energy. Learn more about V2G technology.

Real world vs. advertised range.

Remember, the distance an EV is advertised to travel on a full charge is often based on perfect conditions. The actual distance could change depending on how you drive, the weather, road type, and so on. When using solar power, knowing this difference will help you plan properly.

Tethered vs. untethered.

You'll often see chargers described as either tethered (also called ‘corded’, with a cable attached) or untethered (‘cordless’ aka, just a socket). Tethered chargers can be handy if you charge the same type of EV. Untethered chargers let you use your car's own charging cable. For homes with solar power, it often comes down to what you prefer.

Explore our home chargers range to find the right option for your needs. From the corded Wallbox Pulsar Max to the cordless Vestel EV04, each charger is reliable and easy to use.

Setting up your home for solar EV charging.

Getting your home set up for charging your EV with solar power involves a few steps.

The home charger installation process.

Installing an EV charger at home is usually straightforward, but it's important to use a qualified electrician (safety first)! They'll ensure a safe connection to your home's electrical system and proper communication between your charger, solar panels, and any battery storage.

Daytime vs. nighttime charging.

Charging your EV during the day maximises direct use of your solar power, making it the cheapest and greenest option. However, if nighttime charging is a must for you, a solar battery lets you use stored solar energy, and our time of use tariffs could also help reduce your costs. Smart charging features can also help you schedule the best times. Find more tips on charging your EV battery with solar panels.

Connecting your EV charger to your solar panels.

Connecting your EV charger to your solar panel system involves ensuring both systems can work together efficiently. This might involve some software setup or specific ways of wiring things. The exact steps will depend on the models of your solar inverter, battery (if you have one), and EV charger. We'll get your installation sorted hassle free and be on hand to help.

How much does it cost to charge an EV with solar?

Let's talk about the money side of things. Charging your EV with solar power could save you money. When you're using electricity made by your own panels, it's basically free fuel for your car – after you've paid for the system, of course. However, charging from the grid means paying for all the electricity you use.

Potential long-term savings.

While there's an initial cost to installing solar panels and EV chargers, the longer term savings can be significant. The switch could help you save on your electricity bills with cheaper running costs for your car. Plus, you’re also taking one of the biggest steps towards reducing your carbon footprint. Though it takes some effort at the start, you could see benefits in years to come.

Government green incentives.

Keep an eye out for any government grants or schemes that might be available to help with the cost of installing your solar panels or EV charger. These incentives can make switching to green energy more affordable. Browse our currently available government grants and schemes.

Expanding your solar system for EV charging.

As your energy needs change, you might want to think about boosting your solar setup with these smart methods.

Exploring solar batteries.

As we've said before, solar batteries are brilliant for making the most of your own energy. By storing extra solar power, you can use it to charge your EV (and power your home) even when the sun isn't shining.

More panels. More power.

It’s possible that you’ve already maxed out your roof space for solar panels. However, if you haven’t, you could consider installing more. More panels could equal more clean energy to use for your home and EV charger. A qualified installer will be able to assess your property and let you know if you’ve enough space for any more panels.

If you’re still unsure about solar panels and want to find out more, our complete guide to solar panels will give your peace of mind. Learn about everything, from the different types of panels to the potential advantages and payment options.

FAQs about charging an EV with solar panels.