Yes, you absolutely can charge electric car with solar panels! Imagine driving your EV powered by the sun—how’s that for futuristic? By combining solar panels with an electric vehicle (EV) charger, you can go full green, generating clean, renewable energy to power your car. This significantly reduces your reliance on the grid and saves you money in the process.
Got an EV charger but worried it’s not solar-friendly? No need to stress! Whether your charger is solar-compatible or not, you can still harness the power of the sun to charge your car. Thanks to your solar system’s PV inverter, the solar energy is converted into usable AC electricity, and your charger can put that to work. While a solar-compatible charger gives you the full solar-powered experience, even a regular charger can still get the job done—though it might not be as quick to skip the grid and go full green!
At Story Electrical, we specialise in helping you charge your electric car with solar panels, ensuring maximum efficiency and savings. Whether you’re considering installing a new EV charger or upgrading your current setup, we’ve got the expertise to guide you through the process.
Table of Contents
- The Growing Popularity of Solar-Powered Electric Cars
- How Does Charging an Electric Car with Solar Panels Work?
- Why Charge Your Electric Car with Solar Panels?
- Solar Batteries: Storing Energy for Maximum Efficiency
- Which EV Chargers Are Solar-Compatible?
- How Many Solar Panels Do You Need to Charge an Electric Car?
- Why Choose Story Electrical for Solar and Electric Car Charger Installations?
- Take the First Step Towards Solar-Powered Electric Car Charging
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Growing Popularity of Solar-Powered Electric Cars
Charging your electric car with solar panels is becoming increasingly popular in the UK as more drivers embrace renewable energy solutions. According to Zapmap’s 2023 survey, electric car owners are seven times more likely to have solar panels at home compared to the average UK household. This trend highlights the strong connection between electric vehicles and clean energy adoption, as drivers look for cost-effective and sustainable charging options.
You can read more about the survey findings here: Zapmap Survey on EVs and Clean Energy.
How Does Charging an Electric Car with Solar Panels Work?
Solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into energy, which can power your home, appliances, and even your EV.
Here’s how it works:
- Energy Generation: Solar panels produce DC electricity from sunlight.
- Inverter Conversion: A PV inverter converts DC electricity into AC electricity for your home.
- EV Charger Connection: For solar-compatible chargers: The EV charger uses the AC electricity from the inverter to directly charge your car, prioritizing solar power over grid power. For non-solar-compatible chargers: The EV charger uses AC electricity from the inverter, but it doesn’t prioritize solar energy. The system still uses solar power, but it may rely on grid power more frequently, making it less efficient.
With the right setup, you can maximise your car’s charge using solar energy, especially during those glorious daylight hours!
Why Charge Electric Car with Solar Panels?
Charging your electric car with solar panels offers several key advantages, and we’ll let you in on the secret:
- Cost Savings: Using solar energy is far more economical than drawing electricity from the grid or paying for public charging stations, allowing you to cut your energy costs significantly. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical 3.5kWp solar panel system in the UK can save homeowners between £160 and £405 annually on energy bills, depending on location.
- Convenience: With a solar battery, you can store excess energy generated during the day and use it to charge your car at night, giving you 24/7 charging access.
- Energy Independence: By relying on solar power, you reduce your dependence on utility companies and gain more control over your energy usage.
Solar Batteries: Storing Energy for Maximum Efficiency
Adding a solar battery to your setup allows you to store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during cloudy weather. Is like putting money in your energy piggy bank! This not only maximises the use of your solar panels but also ensures your EV is always ready to go.
According to the EV Charging Survey by Zap-Map, more than one in 10 EV drivers has a home battery to store electricity. The survey also revealed that nearly a third of EV drivers can charge their vehicles at home using solar power, enjoying free charging despite recent electricity price increases by both energy suppliers and public EV charge point operators.
With a solar battery, you can:
- Store solar power for nighttime charging.
- Reduce dependence on grid electricity during peak hours.
- Save even more on energy costs while protecting against price hikes.
Switching to solar-powered charging is a smart way to save money while embracing a greener lifestyle.
Which EV Chargers Are Solar-Compatible?
Looking for a charger that loves the sun as much as we do? Here are some of the top options we provide:
Zappi Electric Car Charger
- Designed specifically to prioritise solar energy over grid power.
- Ideal for homeowners with existing solar systems or those planning to install one.
- Includes smart app features for monitoring and scheduling.
Hypervolt Home 2.0 Electric Car Charger
- Works with solar systems to optimise energy use for efficient charging.
- Offers advanced features like energy tariff-based charging and over-the-air updates.
Easee Electric Car Charger
- Supports solar energy systems with intelligent power management.
- Compact and versatile, making it perfect for homes and businesses.
Rolec EV Chargers
Rolec offers a range of solar-compatible chargers, including:
- QUBEV Smart: Integrates seamlessly with solar systems, providing flexible power settings and dynamic load balancing.
- WALLPOD:EV HomeSmart: Works with solar panels, featuring smart connectivity and advanced safety features.
- Zura EV Charger: Customisable solar-compatible option with app control and energy monitoring.
Want to explore these chargers in detail? Check out our blog on the Best EV Chargers We Provide for a closer look at their features and benefits.
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need to Charge an Electric Car?
Typically, you’ll need between eight and twelve solar panels to charge your electric car, but the exact number depends on several factors:
- Your Electric Car Model: The size of your car’s battery and its range will influence charging needs. Vehicles with larger batteries require more energy to fully charge.
- Your Driving Habits: Frequent or long-distance trips may require a larger solar panel system.
- Driving Conditions: High-speed or aggressive driving drains the battery faster, increasing energy demands.
- Sunlight Exposure: The amount of sunlight your panels receive depends on your location, roof orientation, and shading.
- Panel Efficiency: High-wattage panels reduce the number of panels needed for sufficient energy generation.
At Story Electrical, we’ll assess your energy needs and design a solar panel system tailored to your lifestyle and car usage.
Why Choose Story Electrical for Solar and Electric Car Charger Installations?
At Story Electrical, we provide a complete solution for integrating solar panels and chargers into your home or business. As fully qualified electricians, we handle every aspect of the process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free installation.
Here’s what we offer:
- Solar Panel Installation: Customised systems designed for your property and energy needs.
- Electric Car Charger Installation: Professional installation of top-tier solar-compatible chargers.
- Full Electrical Setup: From wiring to system upgrades, we take care of everything needed to ensure compatibility and safety.
As certified electricians with extensive experience serving Peterborough, Cambridge, Norwich, and beyond, we are your trusted choice for renewable energy solutions, including EV chargers and solar panel installations.
Take the First Step Towards Solar-Powered Home Electric Car Charging
Switching to solar energy is easier than you think. At Story Electrical, we’ll guide you through every step, from selecting the right solar panel system to installing a compatible electric car charger.
Charging your electric car with solar panels isn’t just about saving money—it’s about creating a greener future for you and the planet. By combining solar panels and an EV charger, you can enjoy clean, renewable energy that reduces your reliance on the grid and cuts your carbon footprint.
Ready to start saving and go green? Contact us today to explore how we can help you charge your electric car with solar panels and upgrade your home’s energy system.
- Call Us: 01733 913133
- Use Our Online Enquiry Form: Contact Us
- Read More: Best EV Chargers We Provide
Let us help you power your electric car with clean, renewable energy today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with a properly sized system, solar panels can provide enough energy to fully charge your car, especially on sunny days.
During cloudy days or nighttime, your system can draw energy from the grid or a battery if you have one installed. However, did you know that solar panels can still generate electricity even on cloudy days? For more details, check out our blog on Solar Panels Operating Effectively on Cloudy Days and Throughout Winter Months to learn how they continue to perform in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
Most electric car owners require 8-12 panels, but the exact number depends on your energy usage, car type, and solar panel efficiency.
No, but adding a battery system allows you to store excess solar energy for nighttime charging, maximising your savings.
Yes! If your current charger isn’t solar-compatible, we can install a PV inverter to convert solar energy into usable electricity for your car.