If you already have solar panels — or are thinking about getting them — combining solar PV with a home EV charger is one of the smartest energy decisions you can make in Wales. Done right, you can charge your electric vehicle almost entirely for free using energy generated by your own roof.
How Solar EV Charging Works
Standard solar PV systems generate electricity during daylight hours. Without a smart charger or solar diverter, any excess generation that your home isn't using gets exported to the grid — often at a low rate (around 4–8p/kWh under the Smart Export Guarantee). A smart EV charger or solar diverter can redirect that surplus energy into your car instead, effectively giving you free miles.
There are two main approaches:
1. Smart EV Charger with Solar Integration
Smart chargers like the Ohme, Zappi, or Myenergi can communicate with your solar inverter and automatically adjust charging speed to match your solar generation. When the sun is producing 3kW of surplus, the charger draws 3kW. When it drops, charging slows or pauses. This is the most seamless approach.
2. Solar Diverter
A solar diverter (like the iBoost or Eddi) sits between your solar system and the grid connection, detecting surplus generation and diverting it to a designated load — in this case, your EV charger. Simpler and cheaper than a full smart charger integration, but less flexible.
Does Solar Work for EV Charging in Wales?
Wales isn't the sunniest place in the world — but solar PV still works well here. A typical 4kWp system in South Wales generates around 3,400–3,800 kWh per year. An average EV uses around 3–4 miles per kWh, so a 4kWp system could theoretically provide 10,000–15,000 miles of free driving annually.
In practice, the match between solar generation and EV charging depends on your lifestyle. If you work from home or charge during the day, solar EV charging is highly effective. If you commute and only charge overnight, you'll need to rely more on off-peak tariffs.
Adding Battery Storage
The missing piece for many Welsh homeowners is battery storage. A home battery (like the Tesla Powerwall, GivEnergy, or SolarEdge battery) stores surplus solar generation during the day and releases it overnight — meaning you can charge your EV with solar energy even after dark.
A 10kWh battery combined with a 4kWp solar system and a smart EV charger creates a genuinely self-sufficient home energy system. In summer months, many Welsh homeowners with this setup report near-zero electricity bills.
What Does the Electrical Installation Involve?
Installing a solar-integrated EV charger requires careful electrical planning. Our EV charger installation team in South Wales handles:
- Assessment of your existing solar inverter and generation meter
- Selection of a compatible smart charger (Zappi is our most popular recommendation for solar homes)
- Dedicated 32A circuit from your consumer unit to the charger location
- CT clamp installation for solar monitoring
- App setup and configuration for solar-first charging mode
- Full certification and Building Regulations compliance
Costs & Savings in South Wales
Indicative figures for South Wales 2026. Savings depend on solar generation, EV usage, and tariff.
Install a Solar-Ready EV Charger in South Wales
OZEV registered. NAPIT approved. Solar-integrated charger specialists across South Wales.
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