EV charging guide
Charging your EV with solar
Solar and an EV work well together — as long as the car is plugged in while the sun is shining, or you have a way to store the energy.
Timing is everything
Solar panels produce electricity during the day. If your car is at home and plugged in then, it can charge from solar that would otherwise be exported for a small feed-in credit.
If the car is usually away during the day, most charging happens at night from the grid — unless you have a battery or can shift some charging to weekends.
Ways to use more solar
Solar-aware smart charger
Adjusts the charging rate to match your spare solar, so the car soaks up what the house isn't using.
Scheduled charging
Set charging for the middle of the day on days the car is home.
Home battery
Stores daytime solar so some of it can charge the car in the evening. A battery's capacity limits how much.
Learn moreA larger solar system
If you're adding an EV, tell installers — it may change the system size they recommend.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on 26 September 2026. Rules and programs change, so confirm details with your installer.
Frequently asked questions
Will my solar fully charge my EV?
It depends on your system size, the weather, how much the rest of the house is using, and whether the car is home during the day. Installers can size a system with your EV in mind.
Size solar for your EV
Tell installers about your EV and compare their recommendations.
Get solar quotes