USING SOLAR ENERGY TO CHARGE YOUR EVS (ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHARGING AN EV)

• Publish on Sep 03, 2025
• Read Time 5 mins

Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) is already a smart choice for the planet, but if you want to make sure you complete the clean energy cycle, pairing with solar charging is the way to go. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can skip the electricity bill and power your EV directly from the sun, the answer is yes. With rooftop solar systems becoming more accessible and affordable, charging your EV at home using solar energy is not just possible; it’s practical.

Let’s walk through what it takes to get started, how it works, and what you should consider before making the switch.

First things first: Can you charge your EV with solar panels?

Absolutely. A rooftop solar system can generate the electricity needed to charge your EV. Here’s how it works:

1. Solar panels are installed on your home’s roof.
2. Sunlight hits the panels and generates direct current (DC) electricity.
3. A solar inverter converts that DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which your EV and household appliances can use.
4. That electricity flows into your home or EV charger, with no fossil fuels involved.

If your solar setup produces more energy than you use, you can feed it back into the grid (often earning credit) or store it in a battery for later use, like overnight charging.

What kind of setup do you need?

To start charging your EV at home using solar energy, you’ll need three main things:

1. A rooftop solar system: ideally one that generates enough power to run your household and charge your EV.
2. An EV charger, usually a Level 2 charger for faster charging. You can connect this to your solar system.
3. An energy management system (optional but smart): Helps optimise when and how much power your EV gets, based on your usage and solar production like the IOT device.

How many panels will you need?

This depends on two things:

1. Your average daily EV usage
2. Your local sunlight hours

For context, a daily EV drive of 40–50 km may use about 6–8 kWh of electricity. This means you'll need 1.5–2 kW of additional solar capacity on top of your regular home usage. On average, this might mean installing 5–6 extra panels.

Is it expensive?

Like any home improvement project, there's an upfront cost, but there’s help.

Thanks to increasing demand, solar panel financing options are growing. You can now access solar panel loans with flexible rooftop solar financing solutions, such as those provided by Ecofy, starting at just 12% for financing. If you're an entrepreneur, SME business loans can also cover solar infrastructure for commercial EV charging.

Even better, you may be eligible for state or central government subsidies when applying for a solar rooftop application, which reduces your overall cost.

What about maintenance?

Good news: solar panels are low maintenance. Just keep them clean and free of debris. Most systems come with a 20–25 year warranty. EV chargers may need occasional software updates, but other than that, the system runs on its own.

Pros and cons at a glance

Benefits

1. Lower running costs: Say goodbye to rising fuel or electricity bills.
2. Sustainable: No emissions, no guilt.
3. Low maintenance: Once installed, there’s very little to do.
4. Long-term savings: Pay once, save for years.

Watch-outs:

1. Upfront cost: Initial setup isn’t cheap (but can be financed).
2. Roof space: Not all homes have enough space or sunlight.
3. Daylight dependency: Nighttime charging may require a battery backup.

Can you get a loan for this?

Yes, and it’s becoming easier. Today, several financing options exist to help with:

1. EV-2W finance
2. EV-3W finance
3. Rooftop solar loans
4. SME loan for new business ventures

Compare solar loan interest rates online or use an EV calculator to estimate how much you'll save each month. You’ll likely find that the long-term savings far outweigh the EMI payments.

What if you don’t own a house?

If you live in an apartment or rent, you can still go solar, although not on your own roof. Community solar programs, shared rooftop installations, or workplace charging powered by solar energy are all becoming more common. Keep an eye out for public charging stations that use solar too.

Final Thoughts

Charging your EV with solar energy is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. It’s clean, efficient, and future-ready. Whether you're motivated by the environment, economics, or independence from the grid, solar-powered EV charging is well within reach.

FAQs

1. Is solar charging faster or slower than regular EV charging?
   Solar energy doesn’t affect the charging speed; your EV charger does. Whether you’re using solar or grid power, a Level 2 charger at home can fully charge most EVs in 4–8 hours. The solar panels simply serve as the power source, not the speed controller.
2. Can I charge my EV with solar power even if it’s cloudy or during the night?
   Yes, but with a little help. On cloudy days, your panels will still generate some energy, though less efficiently. For nighttime charging, you’ll either need a solar battery storage system or draw electricity from the grid. Many setups use a mix of solar and grid power to ensure your EV is always ready to go.
3. What kind of loan options are available for rooftop solar at Ecofy?
   You can apply for loans up to ₹25 lakhs and choose a tenure from 24 to 48 months. Interest rates start from 12% finance depending on your eligibility and repayment plan.
4. Is there any upfront cost to install a rooftop solar system for my home or business?
   Not necessarily. With flexible solar financing options, you can get zero down payment plans starting at 12%. In many cases, your EMI could even be lower than your current electricity bills subject to your credit history, CIBIL score, and other eligibility factors.