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Solar for EV charging in Melbourne

An electric car is one of the best uses for rooftop solar. Work out how many extra panels your driving needs, and how to make sure the car actually charges from them.

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Updated November 2026 · Litmec Electrical, REC-10383

A typical Melbourne driver doing 12,000 km a year uses about 2,244 kWh of charging, roughly 6.1 kWh a day. That is about 1.7 kW of extra panels, or 4 to 5 panels.

The catch is timing: solar charges the car only while it's plugged in at home in daylight. A smart charger that follows your solar, or a battery, closes the gap.

How much solar to charge an EV

The car
Is the car home in the daytime?

Making sure the car charges from solar

  • A solar-aware charger adjusts the charge rate to match surplus solar, so the car soaks up power you'd otherwise export for a few cents.
  • Daytime at home: weekends, work-from-home days and short trips all count.
  • A battery can top up the car in the evening, but charging the car directly is more efficient than storing first.
  • Off-peak plans: if the car is never home in the day, cheap overnight charging can beat solar for the car's share.

The electrical side

A 7 kW home charger is a significant load. Together with solar and a battery it can push an older switchboard or a single-phase supply to its limits. We size the board and supply once for all three, rather than three times. EV chargers are installed by Litmec's own electricians.

What the calculator assumes

Energy use per 100 km from typical EVs, plus 10% for charging losses, and 3.55 kWh per kW of panels per day, Melbourne's yearly average allowing for real roofs.

Related

Size solar for your home and your car

Tick 'Electric car' in step 2 and the calculator adds the car's charging to your sizing.

Building a new home? Skip the bill and send us your plans

  1. 1 Your bill
  2. 2 Your home
  3. 3 Your estimate
  4. 4 Roof and plans
  5. 5 Your details
Step 1: your bill

How much is your power bill?

Your bill covers
Got your bill handy? Use your exact figures
Step 2: your home

A bit about your home

Is anyone home during the day?
Do you already have solar?
Anything coming up? (tick any)
Power supply (check your switchboard or bill)

Your estimate

    How we worked this out

    We estimate your daily use from your bill and rates (about 30c per kWh and $1.10 a day supply unless you entered your own), then add typical loads for anything you ticked: about 6 kWh a day for an electric car, 4 for a pool pump and 6 for moving off gas.

    Solar output uses Melbourne's yearly average of about 3.5 kWh a day for each kW of panels. How much of it you use directly depends on who's home in the day; the rest charges a battery or is exported at about 4c per kWh.

    This is an indicative yearly average, not a quote. Roof direction, shading, your tariff and how you use power all change the result. An installer confirms every figure once they've seen your roof.

    Next: a few questions about your roof About a minute. Your answers and this estimate go to the installer, so you don't have to explain it all again.
    Step 4: your roof and plans

    Your roof and plans

    A few quick taps so an installer knows what they're looking at. If you're not sure, pick "Not sure" or skip it.

    What are you after?
    When would you like it done?
    What kind of home is it?
    How many storeys? (installers need this for safety gear and access)
    What's the roof made of? (have a look from the street)
    Does anything shade the roof? (trees, a taller house next door, a chimney)
    Roughly when was the home built? (older homes often need switchboard work first)
    What matters most to you? (tick any)
    How are you thinking of paying? (Solar Victoria offers interest-free loans to eligible homes)
    Step 5: your details

    Your details

    We'll call to book your free site visit, or outside about 100 km of Newport, a free assessment from your bill and roof photos. Your estimate and answers come with your details, so you won't have to explain it all again.

    How would you like to be contacted?

    Free and no obligation. We only contact you about this enquiry.

    Questions

    How many solar panels do I need to charge an electric car?

    For 12,000 km a year in a mid-size EV, about 1.5 to 2 kW of extra panels in Melbourne, or 4 to 5 panels, if the car is home to charge in daylight.

    Can I charge my EV from solar at night?

    Only via a battery. Panels make nothing at night, so evening charging comes from a battery or the grid. Off-peak grid charging is often cheap.

    Do I need a special charger to use solar?

    A solar-aware smart charger makes it automatic, matching the charge rate to your surplus. A basic charger works too but draws from the grid when the sun drops.

    Check it on your roof

    One minute online, then a free visit from a licensed electrician who checks your roof and switchboard.

    Get my free system design Call 0402 721 816