Solar & Battery Integration for EV Charging in Derby & Derbyshire

Benefits of Solar EV Charging

Integrating solar power with your EV charger is one of the most effective ways to reduce running costs and make the most of renewable energy. Whether you’re charging at home or at a commercial property, the benefits are significant.

1. Lower Day-to-Day Running Costs

By using surplus solar energy, you reduce the amount of electricity you import from the grid. Over a year, this can lead to noticeable savings — especially for vehicles charged regularly during daylight hours.

2. Make Better Use of Your Solar Panels

Many solar homes export excess electricity back to the grid for only a small return. With solar EV charging, that surplus is used in your own vehicle, keeping more of the value within your home or business.

3. Faster Return on Investment for Solar Panels

Every unit of solar energy used to charge your EV increases the financial benefit of having solar panels. Instead of paying higher grid prices for charging, you’re using energy you produce yourself — helping your solar investment pay back sooner.

4. Reduced Reliance on the Grid

Charging your EV from solar reduces your dependence on grid energy, making you less affected by rising electricity prices or peak-time rates. This offers greater stability and predictability in your energy costs.

5. Environmentally Friendly

Charging your EV with renewable solar energy maximises the environmental benefits of electric driving. It reduces your carbon footprint and supports a more sustainable approach to energy use.

6. Works for Homes & Businesses

Solar EV charging is ideal for:

• Homeowners who work from home
• Businesses with daytime parking
• Commercial sites with large roof space
• Anyone who wants to lower long-term operating costs



7. Seamless Integration with Smart Chargers

Smart features allow you to:

• Track solar contribution
• Limit charging to solar only
• Mix grid and solar energy
• Optimise timing and output

This makes the system flexible, efficient and aligned with your energy goals.

How Much Solar Do You Need to Charge an EV?

One of the most common questions we’re asked is how much solar power you realistically need to make a meaningful difference to EV charging. The answer depends on your driving habits, the size of your battery and how much solar your property can generate — but we can offer some clear guidance.

Typical EV Charging Requirements

Most electric vehicles use between 6–12 kWh of electricity for a typical daily commute.
A full charge often requires 40–70 kWh, depending on battery size.

Typical Solar Output

A standard domestic 4 kWp solar system in Derbyshire can generate between:

• 2–4 kWh on a cloudy day
• 10–15 kWh on a sunny summer day

This means solar alone won’t usually charge your EV from empty to full in a single day — but that’s not how most people charge.

Realistic Solar EV Charging Scenarios

Most homeowners charge their EVs little and often. Here’s what that looks like with solar:

Scenario 1: Light Daily Driving (10–20 miles/day)

• Solar can cover a large part of your charging
• Some days may be 100% solar-powered
• Ideal for commuters and town driving

Scenario 2: Medium Usage (20–40 miles/day)

• Solar will still make a noticeable contribution
• Grid energy fills the remaining gaps
• Smart scheduling reduces costs further

Scenario 3: High Usage or Large Battery EVs

• Solar offset will help but won’t cover everything
• Combining solar + battery storage + off-peak tariffs gives the best results
• Works very well for households with predictable schedules

Seasonal Variation

Solar generation in Derbyshire is:

• High in spring and summer
• Moderate in autumn
• Lower in winter, when battery storage becomes more useful

This is why mixed-mode charging (solar + grid) is the most reliable option year-round.

Businesses Have an Advantage

Commercial properties often have:

• Large roof space
• Daytime occupancy
• Consistent solar availability during working hours

This makes solar EV charging especially cost-effective for:

• Offices
• Warehouses
• Retail sites
• Hospitality venues
• Small fleets



In Summary

You don’t need a huge solar system to benefit from solar EV charging. Even a modest array can significantly reduce running costs when paired with a smart charger and, optionally, battery storage.

Solar EV Charging for Businesses

For businesses across Derby and Derbyshire, combining solar panels with EV charging is a highly effective way to reduce operating costs, support staff and demonstrate a long-term commitment to sustainability. With the right setup, solar energy can offset a significant portion of your charging demand — especially during working hours when solar production is at its highest.

1. Make Use of Large Roof Space

Commercial buildings such as warehouses, offices and retail units often have large, unused roof areas ideal for solar panels. This allows businesses to generate substantial amounts of renewable electricity at no extra land cost.

That clean energy can then power:

• Staff vehicles
• Company cars
• Small fleets
• Visitor charging bays
• Warehouse or office operations

2. Lower Daytime Charging Costs

Most businesses operate during daylight hours, meaning your solar system is producing power at the same time staff or fleet vehicles are parked on-site. This maximises the value of your solar installation and reduces grid reliance at peak times.

3. Improve Fleet Efficiency

For businesses with vehicles on regular schedules, solar generation can supply a meaningful portion of their daytime charging. Paired with battery storage, fleets can also charge during the evening using stored solar or cheaper off-peak grid electricity.

4. Staff Benefits & Workplace Satisfaction

Offering free or discounted charging powered by your own solar system is a valuable employee benefit. It enhances your company’s reputation and helps attract and retain environmentally conscious staff.

5. Reduce Carbon Footprint & ESG Impact

Solar-powered charging significantly reduces the carbon footprint of your fleet and workplace. For businesses with environmental goals or ESG commitments, this is an impactful and measurable improvement.

6. Cost Recovery & Reporting

Smart commercial chargers allow businesses to:

• Track individual usage
• Recover costs from departments or staff
• Monitor fleet efficiency
• Produce reports for accounting or sustainability audits

7. Excellent ROI on Solar Systems

Using solar to power EV charging increases the return on investment from your solar installation. Instead of exporting surplus energy at a low rate, that electricity powers valuable business operations — especially transport.

Solar EV charging is one of the most powerful ways for businesses to reduce running costs and embrace renewable energy without disrupting daily operations.

Installation Requirements & Assessment

Integrating a solar system with EV charging requires careful assessment to ensure everything works safely and efficiently. Whether you already have panels installed or are planning a full solar + EV upgrade, we carry out a thorough evaluation before installation.

1. Checking Solar System Compatibility

We start by reviewing your existing solar setup, including:

• Solar panel output (kWp)
• Inverter type and capacity
• Age and condition of the system
• Whether you have battery storage
• Your export tariff (if applicable)

Most modern solar systems are compatible with solar-enabled EV chargers, but older inverters may require additional equipment to integrate properly.

2. Assessing Your Electrical System

Your consumer unit and wiring need to support a dedicated EV charging circuit. We check:

• Spare ways in the fuse box
• RCD/RCBO protection
• Surge protection devices (SPD)
• Bonding and earthing arrangements
• Load capacity across the property

If upgrades are required, we’ll explain them clearly.

3. Wi-Fi & Smart App Requirements

Solar-compatible chargers rely on a stable Wi-Fi or network connection for:

• Solar monitoring
• App control
• Scheduling
• Load balancing

We check signal strength at the proposed installation location and offer solutions if boosters or hardwired connectivity are needed.

4. Solar Diversion Hardware

Depending on your charger and inverter, you may require additional hardware such as:

• A CT clamp to measure solar export
• An energy management hub
• Inverter integration modules

We supply and install everything needed to ensure accurate solar tracking.

5. Compatibility With Battery Storage

If you have, or plan to add, a battery system, we check:

• Inverter integration
• Load priorities
• Charging and discharging behaviour
• Whether your system can support EV diversion
• How your charger should be configured

This ensures your battery, solar and charger all work together correctly.



6. Site-Specific Considerations

For homes and businesses, we also assess:

• Cable routes
• Driveway or parking layout
• Mounting locations
• Weatherproofing needs
• Safety requirements

This ensures your final setup is neat, safe and well integrated into the property.

Why Choose Us for Solar + EV Integration

Integrating solar power, battery storage and EV charging requires a careful blend of electrical expertise and smart energy knowledge. Unlike installers who focus on just one part of the system, we understand the full picture — how your solar panels, inverter, consumer unit, battery storage and EV charger all work together as a single energy ecosystem.

As qualified electricians, we ensure your installation meets the latest wiring regulations and operates safely under all conditions. We take the time to assess your property properly, explain your options clearly and design a setup that maximises efficiency without compromising safety or performance.

Working as part of the Derbyshire Specialists Group also gives you access to a coordinated team capable of handling any related work — from electrical upgrades and cable routing to making good after installation. Everything is managed in-house, providing a seamless experience from start to finish.

Customers choose us because we offer:

• Expert knowledge of solar-compatible smart chargers
• Safe, compliant electrical work from fully qualified professionals
• Clear advice on solar diversion, battery storage and load balancing
• Tailored designs based on your property, goals and energy habits
• Neat, discreet installations that look good on driveways or car parks
• Reliable aftercare, support and troubleshooting
• Honest recommendations with no unnecessary upselling

Whether you already have solar panels or you’re planning a full solar + EV upgrade, we’ll make sure your system is integrated properly, works efficiently and supports your long-term energy goals.