Solar Panels, Battery Storage and an Electric Car: How They Work Together

If you drive an electric car, your household electricity use may change considerably. A home solar-and-battery package can be part of the picture, but the useful design depends on when the car is parked at home, when you charge it and what your roof can generate.

Charging while the sun is out

When an EV is at home during daylight hours, some electricity from the panels may be used directly for charging, depending on the charging setup and what else the home is using. If the vehicle is usually away during the day, a battery can store some surplus solar electricity for use later in the household. It should not be assumed that a home battery will fully charge an EV overnight; the amount available depends on the package and your use.

Think about the whole household

The car is only one demand on the system. Cooking, heating equipment, appliances and future changes in use all affect the picture. Electricity tariffs and export arrangements can also influence the financial outcome, so a generic savings promise is less helpful than a home-specific estimate.

Start with your roof and discuss the result

Oxford Green Energy’s roof tool provides an indicative installed price, estimated annual generation and potential bill savings for a proposed solar-and-battery package at your address. After that, a free home survey can check the roof and electrical details before the final design and price are confirmed. Tell the team about your EV and charging routine during that discussion.

Use the button below to see a starting estimate for your home.