How to Use Solar Energy for Electric Vehicles: Charging Your EV

As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, more and more people are adopting sustainable solutions to meet their basic needs. Some add renewable energy systems to their homes, and others opt for electric vehicles to minimize their reliance on fossil fuels. But what happens when you put these two technologies together? It turns out that solar energy is an excellent way to charge an electric vehicle at home or on the road, allowing you to compound the financial benefits and positive environmental effects of your sustainability efforts.

Today, we’ll cover the details of solar energy for electric vehicles, what kind of solar charging setup you need to power your vehicle at home, and the future of this environmentally friendly practice. 

Using Solar Energy to Charge Electric Vehicles at Home

There are a number of ways to use solar energy for electric vehicles, but the most common option is linking a rooftop solar array to an EV charging station. In most cases, a residential solar panel system connects directly to a home’s utility or breaker box, feeding clean, renewable energy into the home during the day and sending surplus electricity to a battery for later use. 

Other options include solar canopies that serve as carports and dedicated solar energy chargers for electric vehicles. 

How Solar Panels Generate Power for EV Charging

Solar panels use silicone, a semiconductor material, to capture energy from sunlight. When these panels are exposed to UV rays, discharged electrons create a flow of direct-current (DC) energy. The inverter then converts this solar DC energy into usable alternating-current (AC) electricity, which you can use to power appliances, control lighting, and charge your electric vehicle. 

If you plan to make solar energy your electric vehicle’s primary power source, you’ll also want to install a solar battery to store surplus power. This will help ensure you have access to renewable energy at night and when the skies are overcast. Keep in mind that solar panel performance is highly dependent on weather conditions. 

Types of Solar EV Charging Solutions

Whether at home or at a public location, most solar electric vehicle charging stations include the same basic components. Solar panels capture UV energy, inverters convert that energy into usable AC electricity, and an EV adaptor charges up your ride. 

Here’s a closer look at how residential and public charging stations may differ:

Home Solar Charging

If you plan to use your home’s solar energy system to charge your electric vehicle, you’ll need an array that generates between 5 kW and 10 kW. These systems generally connect to your breaker box to supply your entire home with clean energy. 

While it’s possible to charge some electric vehicles with a standard wall outlet, a Level 2 EV charger will drastically speed up the process to ensure your car is ready to run when it’s time to roll out. Additionally, using solar energy to charge your electric vehicle at home means you no longer need to make special trips to your nearest charging station before running errands or heading to work. 

Public Solar Charging Stations

Public solar charging stations make it possible to take lengthy road trips in your electric vehicle and top up your power supply while you’re out and about. However, the prevalence of these locations depends largely on your geographic area. Rural regions may not offer many options, so it’s important to plan ahead if you’ll be on the road in unfamiliar territory. 

While plenty of resources exist for finding electric vehicle charging stations, few explicitly state which locations feature solar energy solutions. You can still use these sites to locate nearby public EV charging stations and check them out yourself. 

Here are some of the big names in the public EV charging market:

• Tesla Supercharger Solar Stations
• ChargePoint Solar Stations
• EVgo
• Various government entities, universities, and gas stations

The major benefit of using public solar energy charging stations for your electric vehicle is that you don’t have the upfront costs of installing a solar panel system at your home. That being said, most people opt for these solutions as supplementary power in addition to personal solar or grid-tied chargers. 

Charging Speed and Efficiency

Solar charging efficiency varies based on several factors, including the size of your solar panel array, available sunlight, energy loss during conversion to AC power, and the impact of battery storage. On cloudy days, it may take longer to fully charge your electric vehicle using solar energy. Or, you may need to supplement with grid-sourced energy. 

The following chart breaks down how various charging methods can impact the time it takes to power your electric vehicle using solar energy or grid-sourced electricity: 

Charging Type

Power Output

Energy Source

Time to Charge EV with 60 kWh Battery

Level 1

(120V AC, ~1.2 kW)

1.2 kW

Grid or Solar

50+ hours

Level 2

(240V AC, 7-11 kW)

7-11 kW

Grid or Solar (Residential)

6-9 hours

DC Fast Charging (50-350 kW)

50-350 kW

Grid or Public Solar

15-60 minutes

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Environmental Impact of Solar EV Charging

While an electric vehicle can allow you to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, charging it using grid-sourced energy limits its positive environmental impact. After all, the majority of electricity generated in the US comes from non-renewable sources. Using solar energy for electric vehicles allows you to double down on sustainability since you should only need standard grid-sourced electricity to supplement your solar charging setup on cloudy days or at night. You’ll essentially turn your electric vehicle into a solar-powered EV, resulting in virtually zero operational carbon emissions.

Additionally, the wider adoption of solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations helps promote more sustainable transportation and contributes to climate change mitigation efforts. 

Maintenance and Longevity of Electric Vehicle Solar Charging Setup

A well-maintained solar panel array can easily last for decades, with panels only losing about 0.3% of their output capacity each year. Regular cleaning to remove dust, pollen, and leaf litter, along with routine inspections, can keep your system up and running for 30 years or more. A great solar installation company should offer live monitoring throughout your unit’s lifespan, allowing you to observe trends in energy production and detect and resolve performance issues before they become serious problems. 

Solar inverters and batteries may need to be replaced during the lifespan of your panels for optimal performance. Electric vehicle charging stations may require occasional software upgrades during their 15+ year lifespans. As with other components of your solar panel system, you should inspect your electric vehicle charging setup regularly for visible wear and damage. 

Future of Solar Energy for Electric Vehicles

When it comes to solar energy for electric vehicles, the future is looking bright. Technology is rapidly advancing to keep up with growing demands, promising faster, more efficient, and more widespread solar charging options. Here are some of the most notable changes you can expect to see in the future:

• Direct DC Solar Charging: Eliminating the need for AC energy reduced the amount of electricity lost during conversions. 
• Highly Efficient Solar Panels: Perovskite panels, solar tiles, and bifacial panels offer greater energy production in a smaller, more accessible package.
• Advanced Storage Solutions: Solid-state batteries and grid-integrated storage may revolutionize solar energy storage and power consumption. 
• More Prevalent Solar Canopies: Incorporating solar canopies into bus stops and parking garages can increase the availability of clean energy for charging electric vehicles. 
• Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics: Some companies are developing methods to incorporate solar panels into the structure of electric vehicles for a self-charging solution.

In the future, you can expect solar energy to play a critical role in the future growth of the electric vehicle market, reducing costs and encouraging more sustainable transportation choices. Many government-funded initiatives aim to increase the accessibility of clean energy solutions, paving the way for the widespread adoption of solar energy for electric vehicles. 

Benefits of Solar Panel Charging for Electric Vehicles

Charging your electric vehicle using solar panels is the ultimate way to achieve greater energy independence, reduce your carbon footprint, and boost your personal sustainability efforts. It can also help you slash your monthly utility bills with long-term savings. At Solar Energy World, we’re here to help you embrace the future of renewable energy! We can help you find and install the right solar panel array for your needs, navigate the rebate system to ensure optimal savings, and offer ongoing support for the lifespan of your solar panel system. Get started today with a free solar estimate!ed decision. Get started today with a free solar estimate!