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Charging Your EV With Rooftop Solar at Home in India: Extra System Needed, Savings and Setup
EV sales 2026Record high
Solar EV chargeRs 0 per unit
Daily EV need5-8 units
Extra solar needed1-2 kW more
Fuel savingRs 2,000-4,000/month
Solar and EV: the combination that makes both more valuable
An electric vehicle is essentially a large battery on wheels that you charge every night. Rooftop solar generates electricity during the day. On the surface these seem misaligned. But in India’s net metering system, daytime solar generation feeds into the grid and earns you credits. Those credits offset the electricity cost of overnight EV charging. The effective cost of EV charging from a solar-net-metering home approaches zero.
Beyond net metering, EV owners who install solar often size their system larger specifically to cover vehicle charging. This changes the solar economics favourably because the avoided fuel cost of an EV charged on solar is much higher than a petrol or diesel vehicle equivalent.
How much extra solar do you need for an EV?
| EV Type | Daily Consumption | Monthly Units | Extra Solar Needed | Fuel Cost Avoided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric scooter (Ola S1, Bajaj Chetak) | 1.5-2.5 units | 45-75 units | 0.5-0.7 kW extra | Rs 700-1,200/month |
| Small EV car (Tata Tiago EV, MG Comet) | 4-6 units | 120-180 units | 1.0-1.5 kW extra | Rs 2,000-3,200/month |
| Mid-size EV car (Tata Nexon EV, Hyundai Creta EV) | 6-9 units | 180-270 units | 1.5-2.0 kW extra | Rs 3,000-4,500/month |
| Large EV (Tata Punch EV, MG ZS EV) | 8-12 units | 240-360 units | 2.0-3.0 kW extra | Rs 4,000-6,000/month |
The right solar system size if you have an EV
1
Calculate your home consumption without EVFrom your electricity bill before you bought the EV, get your average monthly consumption in units. This is your base load.
2
Add EV charging load from the table aboveBased on your EV type, find the monthly units added. Add this to your base home consumption for total monthly solar target.
3
Convert to required system sizeIn most North Indian cities, 1 kW solar generates approximately 90 to 110 units per month. Divide your target monthly units by 100 to get approximate system kW needed.
4
Check subsidy and sanctioned load limitsPM Surya Ghar subsidy caps at Rs 78,000 for 3 kW+. If your EV needs a 5 kW system, only 3 kW gets subsidy. Also verify your sanctioned load can support the planned system size.
Is a home EV charger compatible with solar?
✅
Standard slow charger (3.3 kW AC)Works with any on-grid solar system. Charges from grid at night, solar offsets cost via net metering. No special setup needed.
✅
Smart charger with schedulingCan be programmed to charge during peak solar hours (10 AM to 3 PM) if you work from home. Maximises direct solar self-consumption.
✅
Hybrid inverter with V2HPremium setups allow EV battery to discharge back to home in evening. Not yet mainstream in India but available from Sungrow and Growatt hybrid systems.
❌
Fast DC charger at homeHome fast chargers (22 kW+) require 3-phase connection and significantly larger solar system. Overkill for residential use.
Frequently asked questions
Will my electricity bill increase significantly after buying an EV?
Without solar, yes. An EV adding 150 to 250 units per month to your bill at Rs 7 to 8 per unit adds Rs 1,050 to Rs 2,000 per month to grid electricity costs. With rooftop solar sized to cover EV charging via net metering, this additional cost drops close to zero while also saving on petrol or diesel.
Can I charge my EV directly from solar panels during the day?
Yes if you are home during the day and have a smart charger with scheduling. Set the charger to run between 10 AM and 3 PM. The solar generation directly powers the EV without going through the meter. This maximises direct self-consumption and avoids the small net metering settlement process entirely.
Does PM Surya Ghar subsidy cover extra solar capacity added for EV charging?
The subsidy is capped at Rs 78,000 for 3 kW+ systems regardless of size. If you install 5 kW for EV coverage, the subsidy remains Rs 78,000. The extra 2 kW beyond the subsidy cap is funded entirely by you. Still worth it given the fuel savings, but plan the finances accordingly.
Is a separate EV-specific solar system a good idea?
No. One larger combined solar system serving both home and EV charging is more cost-effective than two separate smaller systems. A single 5 kW system is cheaper to install and maintain than a 3 kW home system plus a 2 kW EV-dedicated system. Plan the total load from the start and install one appropriately sized system.
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