Charging your electric car with solar power: How to drive in a way that is as climate-friendly as possible and saves money

Charging an electric car with solar power from your own roof is not only sustainable but also economically viable. Combining a photovoltaic (PV) system with a wallbox not only reduces your ecological footprint but also your fuel costs by up to 75%.

In this article, we'll show you how to charge your electric car with solar power, the benefits, and what you need to consider during planning and implementation.

Why solar power for electric cars?

An electric car is already emission-free – but it's the electricity mix that determines its true carbon footprint. Charging an electric car with solar power transforms an environmentally friendly mobility solution into a true climate protector. You also reduce your dependence on rising energy prices and become less dependent on the public grid.

Advantages at a glance: 

• Up to 75% lower energy costs compared to a gasoline engine 

• Higher self-consumption rate of your PV system – less feed-in to the grid 

• Greater independence from energy suppliers 

• Sustainable mobility thanks to emission-free solar power 

• Greater cost-effectiveness through intelligent self-consumption 

• Increased value of your property thanks to modern energy infrastructure

Solar charging for electric cars:

 How it works To charge with solar power, you need:

 1. A sufficiently large photovoltaic system 

 2. A wallbox, ideally with PV surplus charging and phase switching

 3. Optional: a power storage unit and an energy management system

 💡 Tip: Plan your PV system with the goal of also charging your electric car. This ensures that the roof area and system performance are optimally designed.

How large does the PV system need to be?

For a typical single-family home with an electric car, experts recommend a PV system with at least 10 kWp capacity on a roof area of ​​approximately 40 m². This will cover both your household electricity needs (approx. 4,000 kWh/year) and the charging needs of your electric car (approx. 2,000 kWh/year for 10,000 km).

Please note: Narrow terraced houses often do not offer enough space for a sufficiently large PV system. In these cases, an additional power storage system can be useful to use solar power specifically when it is needed.

How to optimize charging with solar power

1. Charging with an energy management system An intelligent system detects how much power your PV system is currently producing and automatically adjusts your electric car's charging speed. This way, you always use solar power efficiently, without overloading or expensive grid power.  

2. Power storage for maximum flexibility If your car isn't at home during the day, then a power storage system is a worthwhile investment. This stores excess solar power and makes it available for charging in the evening or at night. This maximizes your self-sufficiency and further reduces your electricity bill.

Charging strategies: When are they worthwhile?

Second-car strategy: Is your electric car at home during the day? Perfect! Then it can be charged directly with solar power – without storage.

Commuter strategy: If you drive your electric car on weekdays, opt for a southwest-facing PV system. This way, you can still get solar energy in the evenings. Alternatively, a large battery in your car ensures that charging only needs to be done on weekends.

What should homeowners consider when planning?

✔ Compatible wallbox: with PV surplus charging and phase switching

✔ Adapt charging behavior: charge during the day if possible

✔ Consider roof orientation: south or southwest is ideal

✔ Optionally integrate energy storage: for greater flexibility and self-sufficiency

✔ Use smart energy management: for efficient, automated charging

Conclusion: Is charging with solar power worthwhile?

Yes – in more ways than one!

Charging your electric car with solar power from your own roof not only protects the environment but also your household budget. The combination of a photovoltaic system, wallbox, and, if necessary, a power storage unit makes you less dependent on electricity price fluctuations, fossil fuels, and rising energy costs. Climate-friendly, economical, and future-proof – the electric car powered by solar power is the perfect combination for all homeowners who think sustainably. Get started sustainably now – with green energy from your own roof! Are you planning to purchase an electric car or expand your existing PV system? Then now is the right time to gather comprehensive information and make a sustainable investment. 👉 Contact us – we would be happy to help you plan your customized solution.