EV Charging + Solar: How to Charge Your Electric Vehicle Greenly
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a futuristic dream — they’re fast becoming the norm on Britain’s roads. With more than one million EVs now registered in the UK, drivers are increasingly looking for cleaner, smarter, and cheaper ways to power their cars. And what could be greener than charging your vehicle with energy you generate yourself?
Combining solar panels with an EV charging system allows you to harness the sun’s free power and drive on 100% renewable energy. It’s an investment that not only cuts your carbon footprint but also helps you take control of rising energy costs.
At Solar All-over, we help homeowners and businesses across the UK, particularly in Yorkshire and the North, design and install integrated solar and EV charging systems that make sustainable driving genuinely affordable.
In this guide, we’ll explore how solar-powered EV charging works, what the benefits are, what kind of setup you’ll need, and how to make the most of it in Britain’s famously cloudy climate.
How Solar-Powered EV Charging Works
At its simplest, a solar EV system connects two technologies:
Solar PV panels – These convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
An EV charger – This draws electricity (usually alternating current, AC) from your property to charge your car battery.
When you generate solar energy during the day, your home or business can either use that power immediately, store it in a battery, or export the excess to the grid. When an EV charger is added to the mix, your vehicle becomes another “energy sink” that can use solar electricity directly — no fossil fuels, no grid dependency.
A smart charger can even communicate with your solar inverter to charge only when solar generation is high, helping you maximise self-consumption and reduce grid imports.
Why Solar + EV Is the Perfect Partnership
Electric vehicles and solar panels share a common goal: reducing reliance on fossil fuels. But they also complement each other perfectly from a financial and technical standpoint.
Cut Your Charging Costs
Charging an EV from the grid can cost anywhere from 25–35p per kWh depending on your tariff — and even more during peak hours.
With solar panels, your effective charging cost drops to zero once you’ve covered your installation costs. Over a typical 25-year system life, that’s thousands of pounds saved.
Example:
A mid-sized EV (like a Nissan Leaf or Kia Niro EV) uses around 3,000–4,000 kWh per year. At 30p per kWh, that’s roughly £900–£1,200 in electricity costs annually.
A solar system of 4–5 kWp can generate that much power each year — potentially offsetting your vehicle’s entire running cost.
Drive on 100% Green Energy
Even if you buy “green” electricity from the grid, that energy mix still includes fossil sources. Solar lets you charge directly from your roof, meaning your EV runs on pure renewable power. Every mile you drive becomes emission-free from generation to consumption.
Protect Against Rising Energy Prices
Electricity prices in Britain have climbed sharply in recent years, and volatility is likely to continue as the grid transitions away from gas. Producing your own solar power insulates you from these fluctuations, offering predictability for both household and fleet budgets.
Faster Payback
If you already have solar, adding an EV charger increases your system’s value. You use more of your own generation instead of exporting it for a low Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rate, effectively improving your payback time.
For businesses, this can mean a return on investment in under 6 years — something we consistently achieve at Solar All-over.
Can Solar Power Really Charge an EV in the UK Climate?
A common myth about solar energy in Britain is that it’s too cloudy to make a real difference. In fact, modern photovoltaic (PV) panels are remarkably efficient at capturing diffuse light — meaning they still produce power even on overcast days.
The average UK home can expect around 850–1,100 kWh per kW of panels each year, depending on location.
In Yorkshire, a typical 4 kWp system can generate roughly 3,400–4,000 kWh annually — enough to cover a modest household’s electricity use plus charge an EV for 10,000–12,000 miles of driving.
While winter generation dips, that’s when your car spends more time parked at home, allowing you to make best use of daytime solar output. Smart charging schedules can even prioritise sunny hours for charging.
The Components of a Solar EV Charging Setup
Solar PV System
Panels: Usually roof-mounted monocrystalline modules (most efficient type).
Inverter: Converts DC power from panels into AC power for home use.
Generation Meter: Tracks how much energy you produce.
EV Charger
Tethered or Untethered: A tethered charger has a fixed cable; untethered allows flexibility.
Smart Features: Enables scheduled charging, solar tracking, and remote monitoring via an app.
Power Rating: Typically 7 kW for home use; 11–22 kW for commercial or three-phase sites.
Battery Storage (Optional but Recommended)
A battery stores excess solar power for use later in the day — ideal for evening charging when you return home from work.
With a 5–10 kWh home battery, you can charge your EV at night using solar energy generated during the day.
Smart Energy Management
Modern systems integrate everything: solar PV, battery, and charger. Smart energy managers route energy intelligently, prioritising home loads or EVs as needed.
Many can also interface with time-of-use tariffs (like Octopus Go), charging from the grid only when rates are cheapest.
Typical System Sizes and Real-World Examples
Example 1: Homeowner in North Yorkshire
4 kWp solar system (10 × 400 W panels)
7 kW smart EV charger
5 kWh battery
Results:
Generates ~3,800 kWh annually.
Charges EV for 10,000 miles/year (about 3,000 kWh) entirely from solar.
Saves £1,000+ per year in fuel/electricity costs.
Payback in ~7 years.
Example 2: Small Business Fleet
20 kWp solar system on roof.
Four 22 kW chargers for staff/company EVs.
Results:
Offsets ~18,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Reduces carbon emissions by ~4 tonnes CO₂ per year.
ROI < 6 years thanks to self-consumption and tax benefits.
Costs and Incentives in the UK
Installation Costs
Domestic solar systems: typically £5,000–£8,000 (depending on size and roof type).
EV chargers: £900–£1,200 installed.
Battery storage: £2,500–£6,000.
While the upfront cost may seem significant, remember that energy savings and incentives quickly close the gap.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
If your panels generate more energy than you use, you can export the surplus to the grid and get paid under the SEG scheme. While rates vary, many providers offer 5–15p per kWh exported.
OZEV Grant for Businesses
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) offers grants for commercial EV charger installations, helping UK businesses reduce upfront costs. These can cover up to 75% of the installation cost (capped per socket).
VAT Relief
As of 2022, domestic solar and battery installations benefit from 0% VAT until at least 2027 — making now an excellent time to invest.
Maximising Your Solar EV Charging Efficiency
Charge During the Day
The simplest way to ensure green charging is to plug in while the sun is shining. Smart scheduling apps make this easy, even for commuters who are home only on weekends.
Use a Smart Charger
A charger that integrates with your solar system will detect when generation is high and automatically start charging. Some models can even split energy between your house and car to maintain balance.
Add Battery Storage
If daytime charging isn’t practical, a battery allows you to store solar energy for evening use. It’s especially useful in winter when daylight hours are shorter.
Monitor Performance
Most inverters and chargers come with mobile apps showing real-time generation, consumption, and carbon savings. Monitoring helps you fine-tune your habits to make the most of your system.
Addressing Common Questions
“Can I still charge my EV when it’s cloudy?”
Yes — solar panels still generate power under cloudy skies, though output drops slightly. Smart systems can blend solar with cheap grid energy automatically.“What if I need to charge at night?”
That’s where battery storage or an off-peak EV tariff comes in. You can still enjoy low-cost, low-carbon charging even without sunlight.“Is my roof suitable?”
Most roofs in the UK are, as long as they’re structurally sound and get a few hours of sunlight per day. Even east- or west-facing roofs can work effectively.“Will I need planning permission?”
Generally, no — domestic solar and wall-mounted EV chargers are considered permitted developments in most of the UK, unless your property is listed or in a conservation area.The Environmental Impact
Switching from a petrol car to an EV already cuts your carbon footprint by around 50%, depending on the grid mix.
Pairing that EV with solar power makes the impact even greater:A 4 kWp system offsets about 1 tonne of CO₂ per year.
Over 25 years, that’s 25 tonnes avoided — equivalent to planting over 1,200 trees.
For businesses, the benefits multiply. A fleet of five EVs powered by rooftop solar can offset tens of tonnes of emissions annually while demonstrating clear environmental leadership to customers.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Smart Solar Mobility
The next frontier of sustainable transport lies in vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology — allowing EVs not just to consume energy, but to store and return it.
In the near future, your car could power your home at night or help stabilise the national grid during peak demand.By investing in solar and smart EV charging now, you’re laying the groundwork for that future — one where homes, cars, and communities share clean energy intelligently.
Conclusion: Power Your Journey the Sustainable Way
Charging your electric vehicle from solar power isn’t just possible in Britain — it’s practical, affordable, and forward-thinking.
By combining a solar PV system with a smart EV charger, you can:
Slash your energy bills,
Drive entirely on clean, renewable power, and
Future-proof your property against rising electricity prices.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to live more sustainably or a business wanting to reduce operating costs and carbon emissions, solar-powered EV charging is the ultimate win-win solution.
At Solar All-over, we design and install complete solar and EV systems across the UK, helping households and companies go green with confidence.
We handle everything — from initial survey and design to installation and aftercare — ensuring your transition to solar mobility is seamless.Ready to start charging the green way?
👉 Get in touch with Solar All-over today to book your free site survey and discover how much you could save.