Can I Charge My Electric Car with Electricity from My Solar Panels – And How Does It Work in Practice

Can I Charge My Electric Car with Electricity from My Solar Panels – And How Does It Work in Practice?

Yes, you absolutely can charge your electric car with electricity from your solar panels, and it's a fantastic way to make your driving both economical and environmentally friendly. By combining solar panels with intelligent control and battery storage, you can charge your electric car almost for free for large parts of the year. At EcoRay, an independent advisory solar panel platform, we use artificial intelligence, global data, and data-driven APIs to design customized solar panel systems that optimize the charging of your electric car and maximize your savings. With our advanced UV-coated and light-sensitive solar panels, which deliver 30% higher production than previous estimates, charging your electric car with solar energy becomes even more attractive. Here we explain how it works in practice and what benefits it offers.

How Does Charging an Electric Car with Solar Panels Work?

Charging your electric car with electricity from solar panels is a simple process that becomes even more effective with intelligent control and battery storage. Here's how it works: Solar panels produce electricity: When the sun shines, your solar panels generate electricity. For example, a 10 kWp system produces 11,700–14,300 kWh annually with EcoRay's optimized panels, covering a large part of an electric car's annual consumption (typically 2,500–5,000 kWh, depending on driving patterns). Direct charging: When your electric car is connected to a charger, it can use the solar power directly if charging occurs while the panels are producing (e.g., in the middle of the day). EcoRay's intelligent control systems can prioritize charging when solar production is high. Battery storage: If you have a battery, surplus electricity from the solar panels is stored when you are not charging the car. This stored electricity can be used to charge the electric car in the evening, at night, or on cloudy days, so you avoid buying electricity from the grid. Intelligent control and grid balancing: EcoRay's systems can program the charging to occur when solar production is high or when electricity prices are low (if the battery charges from the grid). You can also sell surplus electricity to the grid during peak periods for DKK 1.00–1.50 per kWh, increasing your financial gain. Integration with the home: The solar panels and battery work together with your charger and the home's other consumption (e.g., heat pump), so the electricity is distributed optimally based on your needs.

How Does It Work in Practice?

In practice, EcoRay's data-driven approach makes it easy to integrate solar panels with your electric car: Consumption analysis: We analyze your driving pattern and electricity consumption to correctly dimension the solar panel system. An average electric car uses 2,500–5,000 kWh annually, and we ensure that your system can cover most of this need. Customized design: For a household with an electric car, we recommend a 10 kWp system with a battery, which produces 11,700–14,300 kWh annually. With a battery, you can use 60–75% of this electricity yourself (7,020–10,725 kWh), covering the electric car's consumption and more. Intelligent charging: Our systems synchronize charging with solar production or charge the battery from the grid when prices are low. For example, you can charge the car during the day when the solar panels are producing, or at night with stored solar power from the battery. Installation and support: EcoRay collaborates with trusted partners and installers who handle the installation of solar panels, battery, and charging equipment, while we ensure the process runs smoothly.

Benefits of Charging Your Electric Car with Solar Panels

Charging your electric car with solar energy offers a range of economic, practical, and environmental benefits:

1. Almost Free Charging

With a battery and intelligent control, you can charge your electric car with solar power for large parts of the year, reducing your charging costs to almost zero. For example, a 10 kWp system can cover 2,500–5,000 kWh for your electric car, saving you DKK 5,000–10,000 annually based on average electricity prices (approx. DKK 2/kWh). In sunny months like April to October, you can charge the car directly with solar power, while the battery ensures charging during the winter months.

2. Faster Payback

Electric cars increase your electricity consumption, making solar panels more economically attractive as you use a larger share of your own electricity. With a battery, the payback period for a solar panel system can be shortened to 5–6 years instead of 8–9 years without a battery. You can also earn DKK 3,575–9,165 annually by selling surplus electricity (3,575–6,110 kWh) to the grid with grid balancing.

3. Environmentally Friendly Driving

By charging your electric car with solar power, you further reduce your CO₂ footprint, as solar energy is 100% renewable and emits no CO₂ during production. The combination of an electric car and solar panels makes your transportation almost completely green, contributing to a sustainable lifestyle.

5. Seamless Integration

EcoRay's intelligent control ensures that solar panels, battery, and electric car charger work together with the home's other consumption, e.g., heat pump. This makes it easy to manage everything from one platform, giving you a hassle-free experience.

Example: Electric Car Charging with Solar Panels

Here is an example of a household with an electric car and solar panels: Annual electricity consumption for electric car: 4,000 kWh (approx. 20,000 km driving). Solar panel system: 10 kWp with battery and grid balancing. Expected production: 11,700–14,300 kWh annually. Self-consumption: 60–75% (7,020–10,725 kWh), covering the electric car's consumption and part of the home's other needs. Surplus electricity for sale: 3,575–6,110 kWh, sold for DKK 1.00–1.50/kWh, yielding DKK 3,575–9,165 annually. Savings: Up to 70% on the electricity bill (approx. DKK 8,000–10,000 annually for a total consumption of 12,000 kWh) plus income from sales. Payback period: 5–6 years with battery and intelligent control.

EcoRay: Your Partner for Solar-Powered Electric Car Charging

At EcoRay, we are an independent advisory solar panel platform that uses global data, artificial intelligence, and historical weather data to create accurate calculations of your system's production and savings. We design customized solar panel systems that optimize the charging of your electric car and maximize your financial gain. Our service includes: Accurate calculations: We analyze your driving pattern and electricity consumption to design a system that covers your electric car's needs. Customized systems: We dimension solar panels, battery, and charging equipment to perfectly fit your daily life. Best prices: We ensure competitive prices, so you get the best value for your purchase. Collaboration with experts: We collaborate with trusted partners and installers who handle all coordination and installation, while EcoRay ensures the process runs smoothly. Your support: With EcoRay as your advisor, you get a strong partner who stands by you all the way, so you can focus on enjoying the benefits of solar energy.

Get Started with EcoRay Today

With EcoRay's advanced solar panels, delivering 30% higher production, and our expertise in optimizing your solar panel system, you can charge your electric car with solar power and achieve significant economic and environmental benefits. Visit our website and try our advanced calculator to get an accurate and customized offer that shows what you can save and earn. Contact us for a no-obligation assessment, and get started with your solar panel system – with EcoRay as your reliable partner.