How many solar panels does it take to charge an EV?
An electric car adds a few thousand kWh a year to your bill. Here's how much solar that takes where you live.
A typical EV driven 10,800 miles a year at 25 kWh per 100 miles uses about 2,700 kWh a year. Covering that takes 1.5–2.0 kW of panels in the cities I cover, or 4–6 panels of 400 W, on top of what your home already uses.
The math in three steps
- Miles a year. The average light-duty vehicle in the US was driven about 10,800 miles in 2024 (FHWA Highway Statistics, table VM-1). Use your own odometer if you know it.
- kWh per 100 miles. EPA ratings on fueleconomy.gov put the 2026 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y at 24–27 kWh per 100 miles for most versions; larger trucks and SUVs use more. The rating is measured from the wall outlet, so charging losses are included.
- Divide by local production. Each kW of panels makes a set number of kWh a year where you live (NREL PVWatts). kWh a year ÷ kWh per kW = kW of panels.
Panels for one EV, by city
10,800 miles a year at 25 kWh per 100 miles = 2,700 kWh:
| City | kWh per kW a year | Solar needed | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | 1,788 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Surprise, AZ | 1,785 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Peoria, AZ | 1,771 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,755 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Glendale, AZ | 1,754 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Chandler, AZ | 1,753 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Tempe, AZ | 1,752 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Gilbert, AZ | 1,750 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 1,745 | 1.5 kW | 4 |
| Chula Vista, CA | 1,728 | 1.6 kW | 4 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,716 | 1.6 kW | 4 |
| Oceanside, CA | 1,698 | 1.6 kW | 4 |
| Bakersfield, CA | 1,684 | 1.6 kW | 5 |
| Carlsbad, CA | 1,669 | 1.6 kW | 5 |
| Clovis, CA | 1,659 | 1.6 kW | 5 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,654 | 1.6 kW | 5 |
| San Jose, CA | 1,624 | 1.7 kW | 5 |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,503 | 1.8 kW | 5 |
| Austin, TX | 1,483 | 1.8 kW | 5 |
| Toms River, NJ | 1,376 | 2.0 kW | 5 |
| New York, NY | 1,353 | 2.0 kW | 5 |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 1,331 | 2.0 kW | 6 |
| Yonkers, NY | 1,318 | 2.0 kW | 6 |
Production from NREL PVWatts for each city; 400 W per panel is an assumption. How I calculate.
What changes the answer
- When you charge. Panels make power at midday; most cars charge at night. Where exports earn far less than retail, power sent to the grid by day and bought back at night saves less. See net metering.
- Your rate plan. Some utilities have EV or time-of-use plans with cheap overnight rates, which can change whether adding panels for the car pays off.
- Roof space. 6 extra panels need room. Tell installers about the car when you ask for quotes so the system is sized for it.
Run your own numbers
Enter your ZIP and your bill including EV charging to see system size and payback.
Keep reading
- How many solar panels you need — Size a system from your electric use and local sunshine, in four steps.
- How much electricity a solar panel produces — Daily, monthly and yearly output per kW and per 400 W panel, city by city.
- Net metering vs net billing — How each utility credits the power you send to the grid, and what it does to savings.
Installer records by city: solar companies in Phoenix, solar companies in Tucson, solar companies in San Antonio, solar companies in Austin, solar companies in San Diego, solar companies in Fresno, solar companies in Chandler, solar companies in Scottsdale, solar companies in Gilbert, solar companies in Glendale, solar companies in Tempe, solar companies in Peoria, solar companies in Surprise, solar companies in San Jose, solar companies in Bakersfield, solar companies in Clovis, solar companies in Chula Vista, solar companies in Oceanside, solar companies in Carlsbad, solar companies in Toms River, solar companies in New York, solar companies in Elizabeth, solar companies in Yonkers.
Updated 2026-09-22.