Electric Vehicles + Solar EV Charging Stations

Integrating solar power with EV charging systems offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to power electric vehicles at home. Driving an EV and charging at home charging also reduces reliance on fossil fuels and minimizes carbon emissions. The cost of installing a solar EV charging station can be offset by savings on electricity bills, further enhanced by tax credits and local utility incentives.

Solar batteries also play a critical role in powering EVs, storing energy produced by solar panels to be used for charging your vehicle’s battery during the evening or during peak hours, when electricity from the grid is most expensive. These systems work in harmony to maximize the use of solar energy and ensure a reliable charging solution for electric vehicles.

Pair Solar + EV Charging

Drive with peace of mind after you pair your solar system with an EV charging station for maximum savings and energy efficiency. Using the power generated by your solar system, you can fully charge your EV within hours and save upwards of $1,000 a year compared to fueling a gas-powered car.

Charger Type	Time To Charge	Distance Added per Hour
Level 1	8-16 Hours	4 Miles per Hour
Level 2	6-8 Hours	20-30 Miles per Hour
Level 3	20-45 Minutes	40-50 Miles per Hour
V3	20 Minutes	1,000 Miles per Hour

How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?

AC Level 1

Varies, but typically adds about 4 miles per hour and takes about 8-16 hours to fully charge.

AC Level 2

The most common home-charging option; adds 20-30 miles per hour and takes 6-8 hours to fully charge all-electric vehicles.

Level 3

Also known as DC fast charging; adds 40-50+ miles per hour and can charge 80% of your battery in as low as 30 minutes.

V3

Tesla Superchargers charge at a rate of 250kW, or 75 miles in 5 minutes. Superchargers are available to Tesla customers only.

A white electric vehicle is being charged at a home charging station.

Earn With Your EV

Exclusive Offers for EV Charging

When you charge your electric vehicle overnight during off-peak hours, you can earn unlimited cash incentives with ConEd’s SmartCharge New York program. Investing in a Level 2 Smart Charger with PSEG LI will not only enable you to charge your EV faster, but you can also receive a $500 rebate. Learn more about EV and EV charging with our free EV guidebook.

Resources

EmPower Solar EV Guidebook

Specifically created for PSEG and ConEd customers on Long Island and in New York, our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about EVs and EV chargers.

Get the Guide

Calculate Your Savings

Use NYSERDA’s calculator to compare an EV with a gas-powered vehicle of your choice and learn more about how cost-effective EVs charged with solar power can be.

Download

FAQs About Electric Vehicles & Solar EV Charging Stations

How do electric vehicles work?

Electric cars use electricity stored in a battery pack to power the electric motor. Since battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are run entirely on electricity, they are also called all-electric vehicles. While electric vehicles don’t produce tailpipe pollution, the electricity they use could be produced from a coal- or gas-powered power plant.

UCSUSA research shows that battery electric cars that charge off the gas-dominated grid still produce less pollution than their gas-powered counterparts, while BEVs powered by renewable energy sources are virtually emission free. To find out how you can pair your electric vehicle to a solar panel system and be completely energy independent, call us at 516-837-3459.

How do solar EV charging stations work?

Solar EV charging stations work with solar panels to efficiently convert solar energy, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), to charge electric vehicle batteries.

How much does a home charging system cost?

An electric car charging station starts around $499, with installation costs between $300-$1,000 depending on the charger and electrical upgrades required. ClipperCreek, Leviton, Bosch, ChargePoint, eMotoWerks, Delta, and Siemens offer home charging stations. NYS and PSEGLI have incentives for charging stations. The current PSEGLI rebate is $500- about half the cost of an installed charger!

Can I charge my electric vehicle with solar panels?

Our solar systems convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which is the form of electricity that both your home and electric vehicle use. If you already have a solar system you only need to purchase an electric vehicle charging station in order to route the power from your solar panels to your electric vehicle via a charging port.

How many solar panels do I need to charge my EV with solar energy?

This depends on the range and capacity of your electric vehicle’s battery, as well as your home’s viability for solar panels. A typical homeowner driving 12,000 miles a year will need about 3,500 kWh a year to power their vehicle, equivalent to a 2-5kWh solar system depending on how much sun their house gets. This amount of power could be generated by 5-12 solar panels. Our team of experts can help you determine the exact amount depending on your vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle?

Electricity costs 21 cents/kWh at your home if you live on Long Island or New York City. With solar panels you could pay as low as 8 cents/kWh, taking into account the levelized cost of energy. Charging at a public station could cost up to twice as much as home with all-in rates of up to 50 cents/kWh or more due to hourly rates/charge fees.

EV charging at a public station	$0.29 – $0.79/kWh
EV charging at home without solar panels	$0.21/kWh
EV charging with home solar panels	$0.08 – $0.15 cents/kWh LcOE

What incentives are available for electric vehicles?

There is a federal tax credit for $2,500-$7,500 per new EV purchase, lowering the upfront cost of buying the vehicle. New York’s Charge NY initiative offers a Drive Clean Rebate of up to $2,000 for new car purchases or leases. E-ZPass offers a special 10% discount to Hybrid vehicles getting at least 45 to the gallon and meeting super ultra-low emissions vehicle (SULEV) standards. Visit e- zpassny.com for a list of eligible EVs.

What is workplace charging and how does it work?

Workplace charging provides a reliable opportunity for commuters to own and drive EVs without worrying about the hassle of finding public charging stations.

Step 1: Employer executes ChargePoint host site rebate agreement
Step 2: Employer executes Charge to Work NY Employer Participation Agreement, has low-cost EV charging stations installed at the workplace.
Step 3: Employees execute Charge to Work NY Employee Participation Agreement, receive vehicle rebates upon purchase/lease of EV