Can we run EV charging from our rooftop solar system?

Clear answer, explained.

Yes—but commercial EV charging systems are not typically powered directly from solar panels alone.

Because solar production is intermittent, it may not align with when vehicles actually need to charge. Instead, rooftop solar, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and the building electrical system usually operate together in parallel as part of a broader energy system.

During daytime hours, on-site solar generation can offset a portion of the facility's electrical consumption—including EV charging demand—reducing grid consumption and helping lower peak demand charges.

Battery storage adds additional flexibility by storing excess solar generation for later use during higher-demand charging periods or evening fleet charging windows.

This integrated approach provides a larger long-term benefit because the solar and battery systems continue supporting the building's overall energy profile even when EV charging demand is low or inactive.

When EV charging, solar, and battery storage are all in scope, the systems should be designed and financially modelled together to optimize electrical infrastructure sizing, operating costs, demand management, and long-term expansion planning.

What this means in practice.

Best-fit environments.

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