Can solar energy power my car (electric vehicle)?

Solar Powered Car

The short answer

Yes, it is possible to use solar power to power an electric vehicle (EV). It can be a good saving especially during the summer months in the UK. You can either charge your car during the day or store up power in a battery to charge the car later.

If you are doing lots of longer journeys you would need a big Solar Array with a large KW output to be able to charge an electric car effectively. A lot of electric car owners use solar to top up the car and do the main car charge off the grid overnight from a cheap tariff.

The longer answer

In addition to installing solar panels, there are other ways to use solar energy to power your car. For example, you can use a portable solar charger to charge your car battery while you are on the go. These portable chargers are small, lightweight, and easy to use, and they can be a convenient and cost-effective way to power your EV using solar energy.

Using solar energy to power your car can help to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and can save you money on your energy bills. It is an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective way to power your EV, and it can help to ensure that your vehicle is powered by clean, renewable energy.

In most cases, you will not need a special battery to use solar energy to power your car. Most EVs are equipped with a high-capacity battery that is specifically designed to store and use electricity, and this battery should be able to store the electricity generated by a solar panel system.

However, if you are using a portable solar charger to power your EV, you may need to use a special battery to store the solar power for later use. These batteries, which are sometimes called “solar batteries” or “solar storage batteries,” are designed to store the electricity generated by a solar panel system so that it can be used to power your EV when needed.

Overall, the type of battery you need to use with your solar panel system will depend on how you plan to use the solar power to power your EV. If you are using a portable solar charger, you may need a special battery to store the solar power for later use.

However, if you are using a solar panel system to directly charge your EV’s battery, you should not need a special battery.

It is always a good idea to consult with a solar energy professional to determine the best battery solution for your specific needs.


If you want to learn more about solar panel installation please contact me on 020 8914 8297 or email anthony@wandle-elec.co.uk .  We are never pushy!  See our reviews:

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We install solar panels and batteries in these south London (UK) areas:

Wallington, Purley, Carshalton, Coulsdon, Sutton, Croydon, Merton, Wimbledon, Streatham. Tooting, Mitcham, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Chipstead, Banstead, New Malden, Surbiton, Bromley, Beckenham.

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Your Local Electrician

Anthony Jones

I'm an electrician based in Surrey. I run two small family business called Wandle Electrical Services  and The London Electric Radiator Company. I'm also a MCS certified solar panel installer.