Charge Your Tesla for Free with Solar Panels

A typical 4kW solar system can provide around 1,200 kWh/year for EV charging. At the standard grid rate of 24.5p/kWh, that’s roughly £290/year in avoided electricity costs. Combined with an off-peak tariff for overnight top-ups, total charging costs can drop below £200/year.

For a household with an EV, solar payback periods are typically 6–9 years. Without an EV, payback is usually 9–12 years — the EV charging savings accelerate the return significantly because you avoid grid import at 24.5p/kWh rather than exporting at 5p/kWh.

A Tesla Model 3 driven 10,000 miles/year needs roughly 2,860 kWh. A 4kW system (10 panels) generates ~3,400 kWh/year, but only ~35% aligns with when your car is home and plugged in. For maximum solar charging, a 6–8kW system is ideal.

Yes. OVO Energy offers solar panel installation across the UK. They handle the full process including site survey, installation, and MCS certification. As an OVO energy customer, you can also pair solar with their Charge Anytime EV tariff for an optimised setup.