Electric vehicles are becoming a more common part of Australian households, but charging an EV adds another electricity demand to the home. For homeowners with solar panels, this creates an opportunity to use renewable energy generated on the roof to help charge the vehicle.
Instead of relying entirely on grid electricity, a suitable EV charging setup can make use of available solar generation when the vehicle is connected at home.
This is where solar and smart EV charging can work together.
With the right setup, homeowners can use more of the electricity their solar system generates, reduce the amount of grid electricity required for EV charging and have greater control over when their vehicle charges.
In this article, we explain how EV charger installation can work alongside a solar system, how renewable energy EV charging works and what homeowners should consider when planning home EV charging with solar.
How Does Solar Work With an EV Charger?
Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours. Your home uses that electricity to power appliances, lighting, heating, cooling and other electrical loads.
When solar generation is higher than the home’s immediate electricity demand, there may be surplus solar energy available.
If your EV is connected at the time, a compatible smart EV charger can use available solar generation for vehicle charging.
A simplified energy flow looks like this:
Solar panels → Home electricity use → EV charger → Electric vehicle
The exact flow depends on the solar system, EV charger, household electricity consumption and charger settings.
The important point is that solar generation and EV charging can be coordinated rather than treating the EV charger as a completely separate electricity load.
Why Use Solar for EV Charging?
One of the main advantages of home EV charging with solar is that it can increase the amount of renewable electricity your household uses directly.
For example, your solar panels may generate a significant amount of electricity around the middle of the day. If your EV is at home and connected to a compatible charger, some of that generation can potentially be directed towards charging the vehicle.
This can help:
- Make greater use of your solar generation
- Reduce reliance on grid electricity for EV charging
- Increase household solar self-consumption
- Provide convenient charging at home
- Give you more control over when your EV charges
The amount of solar energy available for charging will vary. Weather, season, shading, solar system size and household electricity use all affect how much surplus solar is available at a particular time.
Why Charging Time Matters
Solar electricity is generated mainly during daylight hours, while many EV owners use their vehicles during the day and return home later.
This creates a timing challenge.
If the EV is away from home during the strongest solar-generation period, there may be less opportunity to use solar directly for charging.
On the other hand, if the vehicle is parked at home during the day, a smart charger can potentially make better use of the available solar energy.
For homeowners who want to reduce grid electricity use, when the EV is charged can be just as important as how it is charged.
What Is a Smart EV Charger?
A smart EV charger provides more control over the charging process than a basic charger.
Depending on the model and system configuration, smart charging can take available solar generation, household demand and charging requirements into account.
Arise Solar currently offers smart EV charging solutions designed to work with solar systems. Its website describes charging modes including Green Mode, ECO Mode and Fast Mode. Green Mode is intended to maximise the use of available PV energy, while Fast Mode can use grid electricity when there is not enough surplus solar to provide the selected charging rate.
This gives homeowners flexibility.
You can prioritise solar energy when conditions are suitable, or choose faster charging when the vehicle needs to be ready sooner.
How Smart Charging Can Reduce Grid Electricity Use
Imagine your solar panels are generating electricity during the middle of the day.
Your home is using some of that electricity, but there is still additional generation available.
Instead of exporting all of the surplus electricity while later buying electricity from the grid to charge your EV, a smart charging setup can potentially direct some of the available solar energy to the vehicle.
The energy flow could look like:
Solar generation → Household loads → EV charging → Grid export of remaining surplus
The exact priority depends on your charger, solar system and energy-management settings.
The goal is to increase the amount of solar electricity used within the home rather than relying on grid electricity for every EV charging session.
Can an EV Be Charged Entirely From Solar?
Not necessarily.
This is an important point for homeowners considering solar EV charging.
Solar generation changes throughout the day. It can be affected by:
- Cloud cover
- Rain
- Seasonal changes
- Roof orientation
- Shading
- Solar system size
- Household electricity consumption
Your EV also requires a certain amount of charging power.
If your vehicle requires more power than your solar system is producing at a particular moment, the charger may need to use grid electricity depending on its operating mode.
Therefore, the realistic objective for many households is not to guarantee that every charging session uses only solar power. Instead, it is to maximise the use of available solar energy when practical.
Green, ECO and Fast Charging Modes
Different charging modes can suit different household situations.
Green Mode
Green Mode is designed to prioritise available solar energy for EV charging.
This can suit homeowners whose main goal is to maximise solar-powered charging when their vehicle is parked at home during daylight hours.
ECO Mode
ECO Mode provides a balance between charging requirements and available solar energy.
It can be useful when homeowners want a more controlled charging experience while still making use of available PV generation where possible.
Fast Mode
Sometimes the vehicle needs to be charged quickly.
Fast Mode prioritises charging speed and can use grid electricity when available solar generation is not sufficient for the selected charging rate.
This can be useful before a long trip or when the vehicle needs to be ready within a specific timeframe.
Arise Solar’s current EV charger information confirms these three charging modes as part of its smart EV charging offering.
Home EV Charging With Solar: What If the Car Is Not Home During the Day?
This is one of the most important practical considerations.
If you normally drive to work in the morning and return home in the evening, your EV may not be available when your solar system is producing the most electricity.
In that situation, you may have less opportunity for direct solar charging.
You can still charge the vehicle at home, but the charging strategy may need to be different.
For example, you may choose to:
- Charge when the vehicle returns home
- Use scheduled charging
- Charge during lower-cost electricity periods where appropriate
- Use available solar generation when possible
- Combine solar and grid electricity depending on the charging mode
The best approach depends on your driving routine and electricity plan.
Can an Existing Solar System Be Used for EV Charging?
In many cases, an EV charger can be added to a home that already has solar.
However, the existing electrical installation should be assessed before installation.
Important considerations include:
- Solar system capacity
- Inverter configuration
- Household electricity demand
- Single-phase or three-phase supply
- Switchboard capacity
- Charger location
- Cable distance
- Vehicle charging requirements
- Compatibility between the charger and existing equipment
A professional assessment can determine whether any electrical upgrades or changes are required.
What to Consider Before EV Charger Installation
Choosing an EV charger is only one part of the process.
Before an EV charger installation, homeowners should consider where the vehicle is normally parked and how the charger will connect to the home’s electrical system.
You should also think about how you expect to use the charger.
For example:
If you work from home:
You may have more opportunity to charge your EV during daylight hours when solar generation is available.
If you commute every day:
Your EV may be away from home during peak solar-generation periods, so scheduled charging or other charging strategies may be more useful.
If you frequently take long trips:
Fast charging may be more important than maximising solar-only charging.
If you have a large solar system:
There may be greater opportunity to use surplus generation for EV charging, depending on household consumption.
There is no single charging strategy that is right for every Australian household.
Why Professional EV Charger Installation Matters
An EV charger is a significant electrical appliance and should be installed by an appropriately qualified professional.
The installation needs to take into account the home’s electrical infrastructure, charger requirements and applicable Australian electrical requirements.
Arise Solar’s website highlights its network of SAA-accredited installers and its EV charger installation service.
Professional installation can help ensure the charger is correctly connected and configured for the property.
It also provides an opportunity to assess whether the existing switchboard, electrical supply and solar system are suitable for the planned charging setup.
How to Make Better Use of Solar for EV Charging
If your main goal is to reduce grid electricity use, a few practical changes can help.
1. Charge During Solar-Generation Hours
If your EV is at home during the day, charging while solar generation is available can increase the opportunity to use your own renewable electricity.
2. Use Smart Charging
A smart charger can provide more control over when and how your EV charges.
This can be particularly useful when solar generation changes throughout the day.
3. Understand Your Solar Production
Monitoring your solar generation can help you understand when your system typically produces the most electricity.
You can then adjust charging habits around your actual energy production.
4. Consider Your Household Electricity Use
Your home uses electricity before any surplus solar is available for other loads.
If air conditioning, pool pumps or other high-energy appliances are operating, less solar energy may be available for EV charging.
5. Match Charging to Your Driving Needs
You do not necessarily need to fully charge your EV every day.
The amount of energy required depends on how far you drive and when you need the vehicle next.
A flexible charging routine can help you make better use of available solar energy.
Solar EV Charging Is Part of a Bigger Home Energy System
Solar panels and EV chargers do not have to operate as separate technologies.
A modern home can use solar generation to power household appliances, charge an EV and, where installed, support battery storage.
The key is to consider how electricity is generated and consumed throughout the day.
For example:
Morning: Solar generation begins and household loads use available energy.
Middle of the day: Solar generation may be higher, creating more opportunity for EV charging.
Afternoon: Solar output begins to fall while household demand may change.
Evening: Solar generation reduces or stops, so the home may rely more on stored energy or the grid.
Understanding this daily pattern can help homeowners decide how to schedule EV charging.
Do You Need a Bigger Solar System for an EV?
Not necessarily, but an EV can increase household electricity consumption.
If you are planning to purchase an EV and install solar at the same time, it makes sense to include expected EV charging requirements when discussing system design.
If you already have solar, your existing system should be reviewed before deciding whether any changes are needed.
Factors such as annual electricity consumption, driving distance, charging frequency, solar generation and available roof space all matter.
The right solar and EV charging setup should be based on your actual energy requirements rather than simply choosing the largest available system.
Is Renewable Energy EV Charging Right for Your Home?
Renewable energy EV charging can be particularly attractive for homeowners who:
- Already have solar panels
- Are planning to install solar
- Own an electric vehicle
- Have an EV parked at home during the day
- Want to use more of their own solar electricity
- Want to reduce grid electricity use for vehicle charging
- Prefer the convenience of charging at home
It may be less straightforward for households where the vehicle is away from home for most daylight hours.
Even then, a smart charger can provide useful scheduling and charging flexibility.
The right solution depends on your home, solar system, vehicle and daily routine.
Arise Solar and Solar EV Charging
Arise Solar provides solar systems, batteries and EV charging solutions for Australian households.
Its current EV charger offering includes smart charging options designed to work with solar generation, allowing homeowners to use available renewable energy for EV charging where conditions and system configuration allow. Arise Solar also provides EV charger installation through its installer network.
For homeowners who already have solar or are planning a new solar system alongside an EV charger, looking at the two technologies together can help create a more practical home energy solution.
Conclusion
Solar and EV charging can work together to help Australian households make better use of the electricity generated by their solar panels.
With home EV charging with solar, homeowners can use available solar generation to charge their vehicle when conditions are suitable. Smart charging can provide additional flexibility by helping manage charging around solar availability, household electricity demand and driving requirements.
The aim is not necessarily to charge an EV entirely from solar every time. Instead, the goal is to make greater use of available renewable energy and reduce unnecessary reliance on grid electricity.
If you are considering EV charger installation, it is worth looking at your solar system, household electricity use, vehicle and charging habits together.
With the right equipment and installation, solar-powered EV charging can become a practical part of a modern Australian home energy system.
