Commercial Solar EV Charging
Power your fleet, staff and customers with solar electricity at 3-8p/kWh
Why Commercial Solar and EV Charging Belong Together
Commercial solar panels and EV charging infrastructure solve the same problem from opposite directions: solar cuts the cost of electricity you generate; EV charging increases the amount of that cheap electricity you use on site. Together, they create a cycle where your roof powers your fleet, your deliveries, your staff commutes, and your visitor parking -- at a fraction of the cost of drawing from the grid.
The average commercial EV charge point draws 7-22 kW. A single charge session of 4 hours at 7.4 kW consumes 29.6 kWh -- worth GBP8.29 at 28p/kWh grid rate, or GBP1.48 at 5p/kWh solar rate. Scale that across 10 vehicles charging 250 days a year and the difference is GBP17,253 saved annually on EV energy alone, on top of the GBP22,000+ saved on building electricity consumption from the same 100 kWp solar system.
This is why every commercial solar proposal for a business with a car park, vehicle fleet or customer-facing location should include an EV charging integration assessment. The infrastructure cost is modest -- typically GBP15,000-GBP50,000 for a 10-20 bay smart charging installation -- and the OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme grant covers up to 75% of the hardware cost.
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A solar-EV charging system has four components working in concert: the solar array generates electricity when the sun shines; an energy management system (EMS) monitors generation, consumption, battery state and EV charging demand in real time; a battery storage system stores surplus solar generation for use when generation falls; and smart OCPP-compatible charge points adjust charge rate based on available solar power.
The critical intelligence is in the EMS. When solar generation exceeds building load, the EMS directs excess power to battery storage first, then to EV charge points at the available rate. When a high-priority EV charge is requested (for example, a delivery vehicle that must leave within 2 hours), the EMS can draw from both solar and battery simultaneously, and supplement with grid import only if needed. The result: EVs typically charge at 60-90% solar-sourced electricity on a well-designed system.
| System Configuration | Solar | Battery | EV Capacity | Solar Cost/Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar only, daytime charging | 100 kWp | None | 4-8 bays (daytime only) | 4-6p/kWh |
| Solar + small storage | 100 kWp | 50 kWh | 8-12 bays | 4-6p/kWh |
| Solar + medium storage | 150 kWp | 100 kWh | 12-20 bays | 3-5p/kWh |
| Solar + large storage | 200 kWp | 200 kWh | 20-40 bays | 3-5p/kWh |
| Solar + storage + rapid DC | 300 kWp | 300 kWh | 20-30 + 2 rapid | 3-5p/kWh |
Effective solar cost per kWh delivered to EV includes system capex amortised over 25 years.
OZEV Grants: What UK Businesses Can Claim
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) operates two grant schemes directly relevant to commercial solar EV charging installations:
Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
The WCS provides a grant of 75% of the cost of buying and installing EV charge points, up to GBP350 per socket. Businesses can apply for up to 40 sockets per application. A 20-socket installation costing GBP28,000 would attract a WCS grant of GBP7,000, reducing net cost to GBP21,000.
- ✓Eligible: businesses, charities, and public sector organisations with dedicated off-street parking
- ✓Grant: 75% of purchase and installation cost, up to GBP350 per socket
- ✓Maximum: 40 sockets per application (multiple applications possible for large sites)
- ✓Requirements: OZEV-approved charge point products only; minimum 2-year warranty
- ✓Application: submitted by your OZEV-registered installer on your behalf
- ✓Timeline: grant approval typically 2-4 weeks; payment after installation
EV Infrastructure Grant for Small Car Parks
This grant provides up to GBP30,000 per site to support the installation of enabling infrastructure for EV charging in small car parks (up to 100 parking spaces). Eligible costs include groundworks, cable runs, distribution boards, and civil works -- the infrastructure required to connect charge points, but not the charge points themselves. This is separate from and in addition to the WCS.
- ✓Eligible: sites with 2-100 parking spaces, not previously claiming EV-related grants
- ✓Grant: up to GBP30,000 per site for enabling infrastructure
- ✓Scope: groundworks, cabling, distribution boards, ducting
- ✓Note: does not fund charge point hardware (claim WCS for this separately)
- ✓Application: submitted alongside or before WCS application
Combining both grants: A business installing 20 smart charge points plus enabling infrastructure can claim WCS (up to GBP7,000) and EV Infrastructure Grant (up to GBP30,000) = up to GBP37,000 total grant. Combined with solar AIA tax relief, the effective net cost of the full solar-EV system can be reduced by 40-55%.
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Start My Grant Application →EV Charging for Different Commercial Settings
Logistics and Fleet Operations
Fleet charging is where solar EV integration delivers the strongest ROI. A last-mile delivery operation with 20 electric vans charging overnight uses approximately 600 kWh nightly. A 300 kWp solar system with 250 kWh of battery storage generates and stores enough electricity to supply 40-60% of this overnight demand at solar cost (3-5p/kWh) rather than peak grid rate (35p+/kWh). Annual fleet charging saving: GBP45,000-GBP65,000 on a 20-vehicle fleet.
Retail and Car Parks
Destination charging -- where customers charge while shopping, dining or staying -- is a growing commercial opportunity. Retailers and hospitality businesses can offer free or low-cost EV charging as a footfall driver, funded by solar generation. Revenue from third-party charging network partnerships (Pod Point, bp pulse, Osprey) provides additional income for surplus capacity. Car park solar canopies combine generation with covered parking in a single structure.
Office and Business Parks
Staff and visitor EV charging at office campuses is becoming a standard employer benefit and planning requirement for new commercial development. Solar panels on roof or car park canopy structures power daytime workplace charging at minimal marginal cost. Smart scheduling systems (EO Hub, Monta, Fuuse) allocate available solar power across all charge points based on configured priorities, ensuring senior staff or high-priority vehicles charge first.
Industrial and Manufacturing
Manufacturing sites transitioning company car fleets to EVs face a practical challenge: industrial processes already compete for the available grid connection. Solar-plus-storage-plus-EV charging with intelligent load management allows manufacturers to add EV charging capacity without upgrading their grid connection -- the EMS ensures total site demand stays within contracted import capacity at all times.
Commercial EV Charging: Technology Choices
| Charger Type | Power | Charge Time (EV) | Best For | Cost Installed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC 7.4 kW (Type 2) | 7.4 kW | 6-8 hours (full) | Staff/fleet overnight | GBP1,200-GBP2,000 |
| AC 22 kW (Type 2 3-phase) | 22 kW | 2-3 hours (full) | Workplace daytime | GBP2,500-GBP4,000 |
| DC 50 kW rapid | 50 kW | 30-60 minutes (80%) | Customer/visitor rapid | GBP15,000-GBP25,000 |
| DC 100-150 kW ultra-rapid | 100-150 kW | 15-30 minutes (80%) | Fleet rapid top-up | GBP35,000-GBP60,000 |
| Carport integrated (solar) | 7-22 kW AC | Varies | Combined park + charge | GBP4,000-GBP8,000/bay |
Installed costs include hardware, cable, groundworks and commissioning. OZEV WCS grant applies to hardware element.
Installing Solar + EV Charging: The Process
A combined solar and EV charging installation is typically managed as a single project by your commercial solar installer, who coordinates the solar design, DNO G99 application, EV infrastructure design, OZEV grant application and all on-site installation. This single-contract approach avoids the coordination risk of separate contractors and ensures the energy management system integrates correctly from day one.
| Stage | Duration | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility and design | 1-2 weeks | System layout, EV capacity, grant eligibility confirmed |
| OZEV grant application | 2-4 weeks | WCS and/or EV Infrastructure Grant approved |
| DNO G99 application | 6-9 weeks | Grid connection approval for solar system |
| Equipment procurement | 2-4 weeks | Panels, inverters, batteries, charge points ordered |
| Civil works and cabling | 3-5 days | Cable routes, groundworks, distribution board |
| Solar installation | 5-10 days | Panels, inverters, battery storage commissioned |
| EV charging installation | 2-3 days | Charge points installed, EMS configured and tested |
| Commissioning and training | 1 day | System live, staff trained on EMS and app |
Total timeline: 14-18 weeks from enquiry to operational system.
Case Studies: Solar EV Charging in Action
Manufacturing SME, West Midlands
Automotive components manufacturer transitioning company car fleet to EVs. 200 kWp rooftop solar plus 100 kWh Pylontech battery storage feeds 16 x 7.4 kW AC charge points across two car parks. Smart EMS (Monta platform) schedules daytime charging during solar peak. Fleet of 14 EVs charged at 4.2p/kWh effective cost vs 31p/kWh previous grid rate. Annual fuel cost saving: GBP38,000. OZEV WCS grant: GBP5,600. AIA tax saving year 1: GBP47,500.
Retail Park, South East England
Freehold retail park owner installed solar carport canopies over 120 parking spaces, integrating 8 x 50 kW DC rapid chargers for public use. bp pulse network partnership provides per-session revenue share. Solar generates GBP82,000/year in tenant electricity savings plus GBP15,000 SEG export income; EV charging network generates GBP83,000/year revenue. Total annual benefit: GBP180,000. System payback: 7.2 years.
Office Campus, Thames Valley
Tech company HQ offering free EV charging as staff benefit. 150 kWp rooftop solar with EO Hub smart charging across 20 x 22 kW AC charge points. EMS prioritises solar; grid supplements during peak demand. 85% of charging powered by on-site solar. HR team reports EV charging benefit valued at GBP1,800/year per employee. Annual electricity cost reduction from solar: GBP39,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar panels do I need to charge an EV fleet?
A fleet of 10 EVs averaging 30 kWh per charge per day needs 300 kWh of daily generation. A 250 kWp south-facing solar array generates approximately 215,000 kWh annually (590 kWh/day average). Combined with 100-200 kWh of battery storage to capture weekend and overnight surplus, a 250 kWp solar-plus-storage system can power most 10-vehicle fleets on 90%+ renewable energy.
Can I get a grant for commercial EV charging with solar?
Yes. The OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides grants of up to 75% of the cost of buying and installing EV charge points (up to 350 GBP per socket, max 40 sockets per application). The EV Infrastructure Grant for Small Car Parks offers up to 30,000 GBP for enabling infrastructure including groundworks and cable runs. These are separate from solar grants -- both can be claimed simultaneously.
What is smart EV charging and why does it matter with solar?
Smart EV charging uses OCPP-compatible charge management software to schedule charging based on solar generation, battery state of charge and electricity tariff prices. Instead of charging vehicles whenever they are plugged in, the system charges them when solar generation is high (typically 10am-2pm) and avoids peak grid pricing periods (7-9am and 5-7pm). A well-configured smart charging system reduces the per-kWh cost of EV charging from 28-35p to 3-8p by maximising solar self-consumption.
What charger types work best with commercial solar?
AC Type 2 chargers (7.4 kW-22 kW) are the standard for workplace and destination charging -- they charge most EVs overnight or during a working day. DC rapid chargers (50-150 kW) are faster but draw sudden high loads that can conflict with solar generation profiles. For solar integration, AC chargers with smart load management are the preferred solution. DC rapid chargers work best when paired with substantial battery storage (100 kWh+) that absorbs solar during the day and discharges for rapid charging sessions.
How long does it take to install commercial solar EV charging?
A combined solar and EV charging installation typically takes 12-16 weeks from enquiry to completion: 2 weeks for survey and design, 6-9 weeks for DNO G99 application (if system above 50 kWp), 2-4 weeks equipment procurement, and 5-15 days on-site installation. The WCS OZEV grant application adds 2-4 weeks for approval. Sequencing solar and EV infrastructure in one project saves mobilisation costs versus installing separately.
Can my tenants or staff charge EVs using my solar?
Yes. Multiple commercial models are available: staff charging at cost price (3-8p/kWh from solar vs 28-35p grid), tenant charging via a private network with a per-session tariff set by you, or a public charging network partnership where an operator installs and maintains the infrastructure in exchange for a portion of revenue. Your installer can advise on the right model based on site type, car park configuration and desired revenue structure.
What tax incentives apply to commercial EV charging infrastructure?
EV charging infrastructure qualifies for 100% Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) in the year of installation -- the same relief available for solar panels. This means a 50,000 GBP combined solar-plus-EV-charging installation reduces corporation tax by 9,500-12,500 GBP in year 1. EV chargers also qualify for Enhanced Capital Allowances under certain conditions. VAT is charged at 20% on EV charging equipment (unlike solar at 0%) but the OZEV WCS grant reduces the net cost.
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