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The result: fuel costs that approach zero for most everyday driving.", "image": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/assets/technology-BJJXrh0l.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alliant Energy Team", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/about" }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "MCS Registered Engineer", "jobTitle": "MCS Registered Engineer" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alliant Energy", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/logo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-05-19" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need a special charger to use solar with my EV?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — a solar-diversion charger like the Zappi detects surplus generation and directs it to your car. A standard EV charger just draws from the grid and doesn't interact with your solar system." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will solar generate enough to charge my car?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It depends on your system size, mileage and when you charge. A 12-panel system can realistically supply 60–80% of a typical EV's annual charging needs in summer and around 30–40% in winter. The rest comes from overnight smart tariff charging." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the best smart tariff for solar + EV?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Octopus Intelligent is widely regarded as the best option for EV owners in the UK. It integrates directly with most major EV brands and with the Zappi charger, automatically scheduling charging to the cheapest available grid slots." } } ] } ] --- [![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3bd22195-cc6e-43e6-b5ff-5a808ce292d3/alliantenergyltd-2.svg)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about-us) [Services](/services) [Guides](/guides)[Case Studies](/case-study)[![Levelise](/__l5e/assets-v1/59fd362e-361a-47d7-ad1f-65e9beeb5289/levelise-logo.webp)](/guides/levelise-hub-explained) [01282 501589](tel:01282501589)[Get a Quote →](/quote) Spoke guide · Solar + EV # Solar + EV Charging: How to Charge Your Car for Free Combining solar panels with an EV charger is one of the highest-return combinations in home energy. The result: fuel costs that approach zero for most everyday driving. By **Alliant Energy Team**· reviewed by MCS Registered Engineer Last updated 19 May 2026 [Get a Quote](/quote) [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) On this page - [How it works](#how) - [The financial case](#financial) - [What you need](#need) - [System sizing for EV](#size) - [A real example](#example) - [FAQ](#faq) Ready to act? Free quote in one working day. [Get a Quote →](/quote) Solar generates free electricity during the day; your car charges directly from that generation. ## How solar EV charging works Standard EV chargers draw from the grid. Solar-compatible EV chargers — like the Zappi by myenergi — can detect surplus solar generation and direct it into your car's battery instead of exporting it to the grid. In practice: on a sunny day with low household demand, the Zappi's Eco mode will start charging your car as soon as panels are generating more than the house is using. On overcast days or at night, it falls back to grid power — ideally on a cheap overnight smart tariff. ## The financial case The numbers become very compelling when you combine all three elements: solar generation, battery storage, and smart tariff overnight charging. Charging method Rate Cost per 100 miles Annual fuel cost\* Petrol (average) ~130p/litre ~£12–£15 ~£888–£1,110 Public rapid charger 55–80p/kWh ~£17–£23 ~£1,258–£1,702 Home charger, standard tariff ~24p/kWh ~£7 ~£518 Home + Octopus Intelligent overnight ~7p/kWh ~£2 ~£148 Solar excess (Zappi Eco mode) ~0p/kWh ~£0 ~£0–£50 Note \*Based on 7,400 miles/year, 3.5 miles per kWh. Solar excess charging based on typical summer availability. ## What you need to make it work - Solar panels: generates the electricity. The larger the system, the more daytime generation available for your car. - Solar-compatible EV charger (Zappi): detects excess generation and diverts it to the car. Standard EV chargers don't do this — they just draw from the grid. - Smart tariff (optional but recommended): covers overnight charging when solar isn't generating. Octopus Intelligent is the market leader — it integrates directly with the Zappi. You don't need a battery to benefit from solar EV charging — the car's own battery is effectively your storage. But adding a home battery means you can store solar generation for both home use and EV charging. ## How does it change your solar system size? If you have or are getting an EV, you should size your solar system larger than you would otherwise. An EV adds 2,000–4,000 kWh/year of electricity demand (depending on mileage). A standard 8-panel system generating 3,000 kWh/year can barely cover a home's baseline demand, let alone an EV. If you're planning to charge at home, 10–12 panels is a better starting point. Package 1 Our Package 1 (12 panels, 11 kWh battery) is specifically sized for homes with an EV or heat pump. The larger battery captures daytime generation that can charge the car overnight — complementing the Zappi's direct solar charging during the day. ### Get a quote for solar + EV charging Solar, battery, Zappi and smart tariff configured as one system. [Get a Quote](/quote) [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) ## Combined bill impact: a real example A customer in Lancashire installed Package 1 (12 panels, 11 kWh battery), a Zappi charger, and switched to Octopus Intelligent for their EV. Their combined electricity and fuel spend before solar: approximately £2,800/year (£1,450 electricity + £1,350 petrol equivalent for a PHEV). After solar, battery and Octopus Intelligent: approximately £380/year. The system is on track to pay back in just over 5 years. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need a special charger to use solar with my EV? Yes — a solar-diversion charger like the Zappi detects surplus generation and directs it to your car. A standard EV charger just draws from the grid and doesn't interact with your solar system. ### Will solar generate enough to charge my car? It depends on your system size, mileage and when you charge. A 12-panel system can realistically supply 60–80% of a typical EV's annual charging needs in summer and around 30–40% in winter. The rest comes from overnight smart tariff charging. ### What's the best smart tariff for solar + EV? Octopus Intelligent is widely regarded as the best option for EV owners in the UK. It integrates directly with most major EV brands and with the Zappi charger, automatically scheduling charging to the cheapest available grid slots. Three ways to get started ## Ready to find out what solar saves you? Get a tailored quote in one working day. No obligation. No hard sell. Speak to a renewable energy engineer — not a salesperson — at a time that suits you. [Get a Quote → ](/quote) [Request a Callback →](/request-callback) [Download Brochure →](/brochure) Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. ![Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety](/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) ![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/assets/logo-IFrgP5Dc.png) Renewable energy & energy-saving specialists. MCS-registered solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging across the UK. #### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Services](/services) - [Case Studies](/case-study) - [Areas We Cover](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west) - [Contact](/contact) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](/terms) #### Services - [Solar for Homes](/services/solar) - [Commercial Solar](/services/commercial-solar) - [Battery Storage](/services/battery-storage) - [Air Source Heat Pumps](/services/heat-pumps) - [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) - [Energy Saving Advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) #### Contact - [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) - [info@alliantenergy.co.uk](mailto:info@alliantenergy.co.uk) - Unit 214 Northlight Industries, Pendle Road, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL [Get a Quote](/quote)[Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1020779) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). 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