Solar + EV: How to Charge Your EV with Solar Panels
An EV adds 3,000–6,000 kWh of annual usage — about 2–4 kW of extra solar. Here is how to size a system for an EV, when to charge, and what it saves.
By The PVFig Editorial Team · 2026-08-10 · reviewed against EIA, NREL and DSIRE sources
An EV roughly doubles your electricity use
Driving 12,000 miles/year in a typical EV adds 3,000–4,000 kWh of home charging — about 40% more than the average home's 10,500 kWh. Add 2.5–3.5 kW of solar (6–9 panels) to cover it.
Charge when the sun is out
In net-billing states, charging midday from your panels (instead of exporting cheap) is worth far more. Time-of-use plans and smart chargers let you schedule charging to solar production. A battery can shift that solar power to evening charging.
The combined payback math
Solar for an EV is often the fastest-payback upgrade there is: you replace ~$0.15/mile of gas with ~$0.03–0.05/mile of solar electricity. Use the PVFig system size calculator with your EV miles to size it right.
FAQ
How many solar panels do I need for an EV?
About 6–9 extra 400W panels (2.5–3.5 kW) for 12,000 miles/year of driving.
Can I charge my EV directly from solar?
Yes — with a smart charger or by charging midday when panels produce. A battery lets you store solar and charge in the evening.
Is solar + EV worth it?
Yes — replacing gas with solar electricity is one of the fastest-payback combinations, especially in high-rate states.
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Sources
- U.S. EIA — electricity rates by state, eia.gov/electricity/monthly
- NREL PVWatts v8 — solar production by location, pvwatts.nrel.gov
- DSIRE — state incentives and net metering, dsireusa.org
- See how every figure on this page is calculated — PVFig methodology.
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