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Can I charge my electric car at home using solar panels?

I’m buying an electric car, and want to save money on charging it. I have solar panels installed on my roof; can I charge my electric car with at-home solar power?

avatar
Bellina Gaskey · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We understand wanting to save money using what you already have, and we’ve got great news; it is possible to charge an electric car from
solar panels
that are connected to your domestic grid. You just have to make sure you’re charging at the right times and that you have the right tools.
Solar panels merely generate the electricity- they don’t store it. This means that if you don’t have something plugged in and actively using the
electricity generated
, that electricity just goes back into the grid. So if you’re home during the day when the sun is at its highest to charge your car, it’s a great option.
However, if you’re someone who charges their electric car at night, the solar panels alone may not be enough.
If you’re not at home during the day but still want to use solar energy to charge your car, you can invest in a solar battery. These store any extra energy generated by the panels so you can use that electricity later. Companies like Moixa, EDF, and Tesla sell them.
There are two other things you’ll need to have in your home in order to take advantage of solar panels for charging your electric car. A home charging unit is a must, as well as a PV inverter to convert the solar energy into the DC current for the vehicle. These systems are already available for sale, both separately and together.
Save money on your car insurance while you save money on your electric bill!
Jerry
can save you up to $800 a year.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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