How Much Solar Do You Need to Charge an EV at Home?
Thinking about getting an electric vehicle? Here’s how solar makes charging it a no-brainer.
With EVs growing in popularity across Australia, a big question many homeowners ask is: Can I charge my car at home with solar? The answer is yes, and it’s not only possible, it’s one of the smartest ways to cut your fuel bill to near zero.
Let’s break down what you need to know.
The Basics: How Much Power Does an EV Use?
Electric vehicles are surprisingly efficient. Most models on the road today consume between 15–20kWh per 100km driven. For the average Aussie driving around 40km a day, you’re looking at just 6–8kWh of electricity per day to keep your car charged.
To put that into perspective, that’s about the same as running a ducted air conditioner for 2–3 hours.
How Much Solar Do You Need to Cover That?
A standard 6.6kW solar system, installed on a well-positioned roof, can produce around 24–30kWh of energy per day in most parts of Australia.
So yes, charging your EV from solar is absolutely achievable. You could run your car, your lights, and still have energy left over to store in a battery or feed back to the grid.
Day vs Night Charging: Why a Battery Makes All the Difference
While your solar panels generate energy during the day, most people want to charge their EV overnight, while they’re sleeping.
That’s where a solar battery comes in. With a 10–15kWh battery, you can store excess solar from the day and use it at night to charge your EV. CleanPower Australia’s battery systems are built exactly for this kind of lifestyle, letting you run your home and your car off stored solar power, not the grid.
Solar + EV =Massive Cost Savings
If you’re charging your EV using grid power, you could be paying $0.30–$0.50 per kWh, depending on time-of-use rates. At 8kWh/day, that adds up fast, especially if you’re driving more than average.
With solar, that cost drops to essentially $0.
Even better, when you add your battery into a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), you can earn premium credits, offsetting your fixed daily grid charges and bringing your total energy costs even lower.
Compared to petrol, most EV owners save $1,000–$2,000 per year when charging at home with solar. That’s serious money back in your pocket.
Can I Just Add This Later?
You can, but it’s not ideal.
If you’re thinking about adding an EV in the next 1–5 years, it’s much better to size your solar and battery system now to account for that future energy use. That way:
- You maximize the current government rebates
- You avoid having to redo your system later
- Your system will handle your car, air con, pool pump, and more from day one
Our consultants always design with your future in mind, so you’re not left short on energy or stuck paying grid rates down the line.
The CleanPower Advantage
At CleanPower Australia, we’ve helped thousands of Aussies future-proof their homes for EV charging and beyond. Here’s what makes us different:
✅ We design systems sized for your current and future needs
✅ Our batteries are VPP-ready so you can earn extra from your stored energy
✅ We only use top-tier hardware with local warranty support
✅ We install with qualified local teams, with no shortcuts
✅ And we offer flexible payment plans so you can get started sooner
Ready to fuel your EV with sunshine? Let’s build a solar system that keeps your car, and your savings, fully charged.
Book your free consultation call now
