Question 1

Can I charge my EV entirely from solar in Australia?

Accepted Answer

For many Australian households, covering most EV charging from solar is realistic. A 6.6 kW solar system generates 25–35 kWh on a typical sunny day. If you drive 40km per day and your EV uses 16 kWh/100km, you need only 6–7 kWh to recharge — easily covered by a couple of hours of midday solar generation. Seasonal variation matters: winter generation is 30–40% lower. Charging at work or overnight limits solar capture. But for home-based workers or those with flexible schedules, near-100% solar charging is achievable.

Question 2

What size solar system do I need to charge my EV?

Accepted Answer

A 6.6 kW solar system — the most common residential size in Australia — generates more than enough surplus power to charge a typical EV for average daily driving. For 40km/day at 16 kWh/100km, you need about 6–7 kWh daily for your EV. A 6.6 kW system generates 25–32 kWh/day on average, leaving plenty after household use. If you drive more — say 80–100km/day — a 10 kW or larger system provides comfortable headroom. The key is having surplus generation beyond your household's base load.

Question 3

Is it better to charge my EV during the day with solar or at night on off-peak rates?

Accepted Answer

With current Australian feed-in tariffs at 5–10c/kWh, using solar to directly charge your EV (avoiding 28–35c/kWh grid electricity) is worth approximately 20–30c/kWh in avoided cost. Off-peak overnight rates of 10–18c/kWh are the next best option. Direct solar charging is typically 30–60% more valuable than off-peak overnight charging. If you have both options, prioritise daytime solar charging. The ideal setup is a smart home charger that automatically charges from solar surplus during the day.

Question 4

Will adding an EV increase my electricity bill if I have solar?

Accepted Answer

If you charge primarily from solar during the day, your electricity bill should increase very little or even decrease (due to reduced grid export). If you charge at night from the grid, your bill will increase by $500–$1,500/year depending on how much you drive and your electricity rate. Most households with solar find that an EV and solar together result in a net bill that's similar to or less than before having either — because the solar was previously exporting at very low feed-in rates.

Question 5

Do I need a home battery as well as solar to charge my EV at night?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. A home battery (e.g. 10–15 kWh system) lets you store daytime solar for overnight EV charging. At current Australian battery prices ($8,000–$14,000 installed), the financial payback from avoiding 28c/kWh grid electricity is typically 8–15 years — marginal for most households. If your main goal is EV charging, switching to a time-of-use tariff with cheap overnight rates (10–15c/kWh) is more cost-effective than buying a battery. Batteries make more sense for energy independence and backup power goals.

Question 6

Can solar panels charge my EV during a blackout?

Accepted Answer

Standard grid-tied solar inverters automatically shut off during a grid outage — a safety requirement to protect linesmen. This means your solar panels cannot normally charge your EV or power your home during a blackout. To use solar during an outage, you need either a battery system (like Tesla Powerwall), a hybrid inverter with EPS (Emergency Power Supply) functionality, or a dedicated off-grid setup. Check your inverter's specifications — some newer hybrid inverters can provide limited backup power to specific circuits.

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