EV × Solar Sizing Tool

EV + Solar Synergy Calculator

Size your solar panel system to fully charge your electric vehicle every day. Input your daily mileage, EV efficiency, and local sun hours — get the exact number of panels and system kW you need.

Input Parameters

miles/day

Average US driver: ~30 miles/day

mi/kWh

Tesla ~3.5-4.0, Leaf ~3.0, Bolt ~3.8

kWh

Typical: 40-100 kWh

hrs/day

US avg ~4-5, Southwest ~6+

W
%
$/kWh
$/W

Your Solar System Result

Daily Energy Needed
— kWh
From your daily driving
Required Solar System Size
— kW
DC capacity with losses accounted
Panels Needed
—
at 400W each
Annual Production
—
kWh / year
Annual Savings
$—
on electricity
CO₂ Offset
—
lbs / year
Estimated Payback
— years
System Cost
$—
After 30% federal solar tax credit
Results are estimates. Actual production varies with location, orientation, shading, and weather.

How the EV-Solar Calculation Works

1. Daily kWh

Daily kWh = Daily Miles ÷ EV Efficiency (mi/kWh). This is the energy your car needs per day.

2. System Size

Solar kW = Daily kWh ÷ (Sun Hours × (1 - Losses)). Accounts for real-world system inefficiencies.

3. Panel Count

Panels = System kW × 1000 ÷ Panel Wattage. Round up for full coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many solar panels do I need to charge an electric car daily?

Most EVs consume 25-40 kWh per day for average driving. With a 400W panel and 5 peak sun hours, each panel produces about 2 kWh/day. That means roughly 12-20 panels are needed, depending on your mileage and EV efficiency.

What size solar system is needed to charge an EV every day?

A typical EV-charging solar system is 5 kW to 10 kW. The exact size depends on daily miles, EV efficiency (mi/kWh), local peak sun hours, and system losses like inverter efficiency and wiring.

Can I charge my electric car with solar panels directly?

Yes. You can charge your EV with solar through a grid-tied