A GUIDE TO EV CHARGING WITH SOLAR
Updated July 15th, 2026
“And then, she took a lead out of her car, ran it in the through window and plugged it into the mains!”
“He stayed with us for a week, and every night hitched up a granny cable to his car and charged it over night without so much as asking me!”
“I was giving them the house tour, and your man got in an awful strop when I told him we had no dedicated EV charger on site…”
Just a handful of the complaints on a “host” page from worried owners of B&Bs and holiday rentals hints at the disconnect between those choosing to buy electric vehicles and those wondering how to integrate them into the existing transport landscape. The complaints may seem out of touch, but think about it for a minute. Even only a year or two ago, would guests have expected their hosts to keep a petrol pump on site, or pay to refuel their cars while they slept?
To meet its climate change targets the Irish government has pledged to get almost a million EVs on the road by 2030, that’s 30% of passenger cars in the state. The message getting through to consumers – that running an EV is 60% cheaper than running a diesel or petrol car – is having an impact. EVs made up 62% of new car sales in 2025.
But there are obstacles ahead.
It’s not just individual business owners who are wondering about their personal responsibility to keep their customers charged up, ready to go, and happy.
80% of Irish customers charge EVs at home, with most of those choosing to charge at night, when electricity prices are lowest.
But a recent report by London’s Sunday Times suggested that EV owners in some parts of the country might soon be “unable to properly charge their cars due to an increasing strain on Ireland’s national power grid.”
The paper’s research indicates that areas with heightened energy use – like Dublin’s busy commercial centre, towns like Sandyford and Carrickmines in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area, and Donnybrook in D4 are already experiencing the pinch. While slower charging times is the most common inconvenience EV users could face, every new EV charging point, or high-density office block that draws power from the grid, brings the possibility of power blackouts.
There is a strong case to be made for a well-thought out upgrade to our National Grid. More than a decade ago, public opposition to the €3.8 billion GRID25 upgrade, led to the plan being abandoned. Campaigners argued that GRID25, which relied on crisscrossing the state with towering pylons, would destroy landscapes and habitats and have far-reaching economic and health impacts. Even those who fought against the GRID25 plan, though, would likely now admit that the grid is under strain. Back in 2014, neither campaigners, nor planners, nor government leaders, imagined the enormous draw on Ireland’s power supply that would come with the surge of “data centres” and AI. Government needs to listen to the objections of campaigners and find a way to complete needed upgrades. Though initially more costly, “undergrounding” as much of the new infrastructure as possible, would likely go far to gaining public support.
In the near term, though, solar can be an important part of the solution.
How Does EV Charging With Solar Work
The cheapest and most sustainable way to charge an EV it is by integrating charging practices and technology into a home’s solar energy system.
If you’re at home during the day, it’s possible to connect the vehicle directly to the panels, drawing electricity while the sun shines brightest. Many EV chargers come equipped to draw surplus electricity generated by solar, but only after first meeting your home’s energy requirements.
For those of who work away from home during the day, that is not an option. People often ask us if it is possible to install a solar battery system that allows you to store electricity created during the day and then recharge your EV at night. Unfortunately, existing solar batteries lack the capacity required to fully charge an EV. So that’s a plan for “someday”.
But there is something that works well right now. Instead of storing any excess energy created by solar panels in a battery, many homeowners choose to sell it back to the grid. They then buy the electricity needed to charge their EVs at night when rates are lowest.
The Sustainable Energy Authority’s guide for EVs is a good starting point to find grants available – both for purchasing your new EV and for buying an at home charger.
We’re here to guide you through installing the solar system that’s best for your needs – from panel design, to installation, to advice on battery storage and EV charging with solar. And we’ll make sure you get the maximum solar installation grant available.
With an at home solar energy system, there’s no need to wait for the grid to catch up – you can control your energy and driving future.
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.
