Solar + EV charging
Solar can cut charging costs. Daylight decides by how much.
A typical 4kW system generates about 3,400 kWh a year. The best returns come when your car can absorb surplus generation at home, before that electricity is exported.
Savings calculator
How Much Could You Save?
Adjust the sliders to see how solar panels reduce your Tesla charging costs.
£746/yr
Grid only
£746/yr
Off-peak tariff
£435/yr
Solar + tariff
Modelled EV electricity difference
£311
1,190 kWh/yr matched to surplus solar
EV electricity only, compared with the representative standard import rate. Export income, solar installation cost, household electricity and the postcode-dependent standing charge are excluded; include those in a property-specific payback calculation.
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How it works
Solar EV Charging in 3 Steps
Panels Generate
Your rooftop solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours — a typical 4kW UK system produces ~3,400 kWh/year.
Surplus Diverts to Charger
A solar-compatible EV charger detects surplus generation and automatically diverts it to your Tesla instead of exporting to the grid.
Top Up Overnight
Any remaining charge can be topped up overnight on an off-peak tariff such as Octopus Intelligent Go, currently 8p/kWh in its base window.
Why solar + EV
Why EV Owners Get More from Solar
Use Surplus Solar
Divert surplus generation into the car during daylight. The energy is not literally free: using it means giving up whatever your export tariff would have paid.
Compare Use With Export
A diverted kWh avoids electricity at your active import rate. Compare that avoided cost with your actual export payment before deciding where the surplus is worth more.
Combine with Off-Peak Tariff
Top up overnight at 8p/kWh on Octopus Intelligent Go, then use surplus solar while the car is at home during the day.
Reduce Your Home Electricity Bill
Solar panels don’t just power your car. Surplus generation offsets your home electricity usage too, cutting your overall energy costs.
Compatible chargers
You'll Need a Solar-Compatible Charger
These chargers can divert surplus solar energy to your Tesla automatically.
See our full solar charger guide for rankings and detailed reviews.
Property-specific pricing
Want a solar quote for your roof and charging pattern?
OVO Energy installs solar panels across the UK. Get a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your home and EV charging needs.
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