Find out in seconds how many solar panels you need to charge your electric car — using real PVGIS irradiance data for your UK address.
Solar in the UK
Charge Planner analyzes live solar data and real-time electricity prices to show you exactly when plugging in is cheapest and greenest — updated every morning.
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It depends on your EV's battery size, your annual mileage, and how much sun your roof gets. Most UK EV drivers need 6–8 panels (400W each) in the south of England, rising to 8–10 in Scotland or the north. VoltSun calculates the exact number using your EV model and real PVGIS irradiance data for your address.
It helps, but self-consumption usually wins. SEG rates typically pay 5–15p/kWh for exported electricity, against roughly 24–26p/kWh you pay to import. Every kWh your EV or home uses directly from your panels is worth up to 60% more than exporting it — so daytime charging is almost always the better strategy.
Residential solar panel, inverter, and battery installations in Great Britain are charged 0% VAT until at least March 2027. On a typical 4kWp system costing £7,000–9,000, that saves roughly £350–450 compared to the pre-2022 5% rate.
Yes, though payback takes 2–4 years longer than in the south due to lower irradiance. The Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme offers interest-free loans up to £38,500 and cashback up to £7,500 for eligible households, which closes much of that gap.
No — if you're home during the day, your EV can charge directly from your panels without a battery. A battery helps if you mostly charge overnight or want to store surplus daytime generation for evening use.