Path-Q Solar

Should I size solar for an electric vehicle I plan to buy next year?

Answer

Usually, include a likely EV purchase in the design scenario, but base the added capacity on realistic driving and charging assumptions rather than the vehicle's maximum possible consumption. If the purchase, vehicle type, or charging location is uncertain, compare a system sized for current use with an expansion-ready design.

Key points

  • An EV adds electricity demand based mainly on annual miles, efficiency, charging losses, and charging frequency.
  • Including the future load can avoid designing a system that is undersized soon after installation.
  • The EV may improve direct solar use if it can charge during solar-producing hours.
  • A future load forecast should be separated from confirmed current consumption.

What it depends on

  • Expected annual driving distance
  • Vehicle efficiency and charging losses
  • Where and when charging will occur
  • Solar capacity, electrical service, and future expansion options

Risks and trade-offs

  • Buying a different vehicle or driving less can make the forecast too high.
  • A system sized for the EV may produce more than current loads can use before the vehicle arrives.
  • Charging constraints may require electrical upgrades independent of panel capacity.

Information you may need

  • Expected vehicle type and purchase certainty
  • Annual mileage and charging location
  • Preferred charging times and charger power
  • Current electrical service and planned solar design

Your next step

What to do next

Request two designs—current load and current load plus the expected EV—and ask whether the equipment and electrical design can accommodate the added charging load.

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