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We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
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Use our interactive calculator to find the exact number of panels your EV needs. Real kWh data for 12+ vehicles, region-specific sun hours, and honest post-ITC financing math.
Select your EV model, enter your annual driving miles, and choose your region. We will calculate exactly how many panels you need.
How many panels do you need to charge your EV from solar?
Assumes 27 MPG for comparable gas vehicle, $3.50/gal gasoline, 85% system derating factor
Not all EVs are created equal. A Hyundai Ioniq 6 sips 23 kWh per 100 miles while a Ford F-150 Lightning gulps 48 kWh. That difference means 4 panels vs 10 panels for the same annual driving.
| Vehicle | kWh/100 mi | Battery (kWh) | EPA Range | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 LR | 25 | 75 | 358 mi | sedan |
| Tesla Model Y LR | 27 | 75 | 310 mi | suv |
| Tesla Model X | 33 | 100 | 348 mi | suv |
| Chevy Equinox EV | 29 | 85 | 319 mi | suv |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 30 | 91 | 312 mi | suv |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 48 | 131 | 320 mi | truck |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 29 | 77 | 303 mi | suv |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 23 | 77 | 361 mi | sedan |
| BMW iX xDrive50 | 30 | 77 | 324 mi | suv |
| Rivian R1S | 35 | 105 | 321 mi | suv |
| Kia EV6 | 28 | 77 | 310 mi | suv |
| VW ID.4 | 30 | 82 | 275 mi | suv |
Efficiency matters more than battery size. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3 are the most efficient EVs on the market at 23-25 kWh/100mi. The Ford F-150 Lightning, while capable, consumes nearly double the energy per mile due to its size and weight.
Based on 12,000 miles/year and Boston-area sun hours (4.2 peak hours/day). Your actual count may differ slightly by region.
| EV Model | 440W Panels | 400W Panels | Annual kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 LR | 4-5 | 5-6 | 3,000 |
| Tesla Model Y LR | 5-6 | 5-6 | 3,240 |
| Tesla Model X | 6-7 | 7-8 | 3,960 |
| Chevy Equinox EV | 5-6 | 6-7 | 3,480 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 5-6 | 6-7 | 3,600 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 9-10 | 10-11 | 5,760 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 3,480 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 4-5 | 5-6 | 2,760 |
| BMW iX xDrive50 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 3,600 |
| Rivian R1S | 6-7 | 7-8 | 4,200 |
| Kia EV6 | 5-6 | 5-6 | 3,360 |
| VW ID.4 | 5-6 | 6-7 | 3,600 |
Ioniq 6, Model 3: Only 4-5 panels needed. Best solar-to-EV economics.
Model Y, Equinox, Ioniq 5: 5-6 panels. The sweet spot for families.
F-150 Lightning, Model X, R1S: 7-10 panels. Higher cost but biggest gas savings.
Here is exactly how we calculate the number of panels your EV needs. No black boxes, no hidden assumptions.
Example: Tesla Model Y driven 12,000 mi/yr: (12,000 / 100) x 27 = 3,240 kWh/year
Example: 440W panel in Boston (4.2 hrs): (440 x 4.2 x 365 x 0.85) / 1,000 = 574 kWh/yr
Example: Model Y in Boston: 3,240 / 574 = 5.6 panels, round up to 6
Solar panels never produce their rated wattage in real-world conditions. Temperature, shading, wiring losses, inverter efficiency, and soiling reduce output by approximately 15%. The 0.85 factor is a conservative industry standard from NREL PVWatts.
Understanding when solar produces vs when you charge is critical for maximizing your savings.
Verdict: Not recommended for daily driving
Verdict: Best choice for solar + EV homeowners
Your panels generate electricity during daylight hours, peaking from 10 AM to 2 PM. Most of your car is parked at work or away from home during this time.
Most EV owners plug in overnight when they get home. This is when solar produces nothing. Net metering credits bridge this gap in most states.
A home battery stores daytime solar and discharges it to your Level 2 charger at night. This eliminates grid dependence and maximizes solar self-consumption.
TOU Rate Strategy: Some utilities charge more during peak hours (4-9 PM) and less overnight. If your utility offers TOU rates, schedule your EV to charge during off-peak hours (typically midnight to 6 AM) for the lowest cost. Solar net metering credits still apply at full retail value regardless of when you charge.
The Section 30C credit was scheduled to run through 2032 but was terminated early by the OBBBA legislation. After June 30, 2026, no federal tax credit exists for EV charger installation.
The residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) is dead. Here is how to still make solar + EV charging work financially.
Full system cost with $0 federal tax credit. Homeowner owns the system from day one.
Third-party owner claims Section 48/48E commercial ITC. Savings passed to you as lower payments.
The one federal credit homeowners can still claim directly. Up to $1,000 for your Level 2 charger.
When you pair solar panels, a Level 2 EV charger, and a home battery, you unlock benefits that none of these provide alone.
Battery stores solar surplus during the day. Discharges to your EV charger overnight. Zero grid dependence for EV charging.
In states with time-of-use rates, charge your battery at off-peak and discharge during peak. Saves 20-40% on electricity beyond EV charging.
In MA, RI, and CT, your battery earns $225-$275/kW per year in demand response payments. A 13.5 kWh battery earns $1,350-$1,850/year.
During grid outages, your battery keeps critical loads running. Solar recharges the battery each day. Your EV becomes an emergency power reserve.
| Component | Cost | Annual Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW Solar (home + EV) | $18,000 | $1,800-$2,200 | Covers home + EV charging |
| Level 2 EV Charger | $800 | $1,556 | 30C credit: -$240 |
| 13.5 kWh Battery | $12,000 | $1,350-$1,850 | ConnectedSolutions (MA/RI/CT) |
| Total Bundle | $30,800 | $4,700-$5,600 | Payback: 6-7 years |
Bundle pricing assumes cash purchase in Massachusetts. Propel lease reduces upfront to $0 with monthly payments. ConnectedSolutions revenue varies by utility.
Beyond the upfront cost of panels, the lifetime savings of solar EV charging vs gasoline are dramatic. Here is the math at different mileage levels.
| Annual Miles | Gas Cost/Year | Grid EV Cost/Year | Solar EV Cost/Year | 10-Year Solar Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1,037 | $583 | $0 | $10,370 |
| 12,000 | $1,556 | $875 | $0 | $15,560 |
| 15,000 | $1,944 | $1,094 | $0 | $19,440 |
| 20,000 | $2,593 | $1,458 | $0 | $25,930 |
| 30,000 | $3,889 | $2,187 | $0 | $38,890 |
Assumes Tesla Model Y (27 kWh/100mi), $3.50/gal gas, 27 MPG comparable ICE SUV, $0.27/kWh electricity (MA average). Solar EV cost is $0 because solar panels produce all needed energy at no marginal fuel cost. Panel cost is an upfront capital expense recovered through savings.
Adding both solar and an EV charger puts serious demand on your electrical panel. Here is how to assess whether yours can handle it.
Most 100A panels cannot support a 40A EV charger plus a 30A solar inverter without exceeding capacity. Budget $2,000-$4,000 for a 200A panel upgrade.
Can work if your existing loads are modest (no electric dryer, no electric water heater). A load calculation by your electrician will determine feasibility.
A 200A panel can handle solar + EV charging + typical household loads in most cases. You may still need available breaker slots.
Smart panels dynamically manage loads, so a 200A panel can support solar, EV, battery, heat pump, and more without upgrading to 400A. Cost: $4,500-$6,000 installed.
The typical EV driven 12,000 miles per year needs 3,000-5,800 kWh of electricity. In the Northeast (4.0-4.3 sun hours/day), that translates to 5-10 additional 440W solar panels depending on the EV model. Larger vehicles like the Ford F-150 Lightning need about 10 panels, while efficient sedans like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 need only 4-5.
Yes. A properly sized solar addition generates enough annual kWh to cover all your EV charging needs. However, you will not charge directly from solar in real-time. Instead, solar feeds the grid during the day and you charge at night using net metering credits. The math balances out over a year.
No. The residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners who buy solar outright receive $0 in federal tax credits. However, Section 48/48E allows third-party financing companies (like Propel) to claim the commercial ITC and pass savings to homeowners through lower lease/PPA payments.
Yes, but only until June 30, 2026. Section 30C provides up to $1,000 (30% of cost) for residential EV charger installation. This credit expires on June 30, 2026 under the OBBBA legislation. If you are adding a Level 2 charger, install before that deadline.
A battery is not required but is highly beneficial. Without a battery, your solar overproduces during the day and you charge your EV at night from the grid. A battery lets you store daytime solar and use it for overnight EV charging, reducing grid dependence. In states with TOU rates or ConnectedSolutions programs, batteries also earn demand response revenue.
Level 2 (240V, 7-11 kW) is far better with solar. Level 1 (120V, 1.4 kW) adds only 3-5 miles per hour and takes 40+ hours for a full charge. Level 2 charges 25-30 miles per hour, completing an overnight charge in 6-10 hours. With a battery, Level 2 lets you charge entirely from stored solar.
At $3.50/gallon gasoline and 27 MPG, driving 12,000 miles costs about $1,556/year in fuel. Charging an EV from solar costs $0 in fuel. That is $1,556/year or $15,560 over 10 years in fuel savings alone, not counting reduced maintenance costs for the EV.
Possibly. A Level 2 charger draws 30-50A, and your solar inverter may draw another 30-40A. If your main panel is 100A or 150A, you may need a panel upgrade ($2,000-$4,000) or a smart panel like Span ($4,500-$6,000) that dynamically manages loads. A solar installer will assess this during the site survey.
Get a free custom design for solar panels sized to power your home and your EV. We will include a Level 2 charger recommendation and Section 30C credit guidance before the June 30, 2026 deadline.
Section 30C EV charger credit expires June 30, 2026. Act before the deadline.
Our 8-point framework for evaluating solar proposals after the ITC expiration.
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