Solar EV Charger PA - How One Homeowner Powers 2 EVs

For homeowners across Pennsylvania who drive electric vehicles, installing a solar EV charger in PA is becoming one of the most practical ways to take full control of energy costs while breaking free from fossil fuels entirely

Todd B. from Downingtown, PA, was gearing up to buy a second fully electric vehicle for his family. However, he faced a challenge: with two EVs charging each day for his and his wife’s commutes, he’d be looking at an annual electricity consumption increase of about 44% in the coming year.

Already committed to renewable energy, Todd made it his goal not just to produce 100% of his home electricity usage through a renewable solar energy system, but to ensure the future increase would be covered as well.

He enlisted TerraSol to plan and implement a solution to reach this ambitious target.

What followed was one of the most thoughtfully engineered residential solar installations we've completed in the region. A system designed around the unique demands of home EV charging, limited roof space, and an ambitious 100% energy offset goal.

Why EV Owners in Pennsylvania Are Turning to Solar

Pennsylvania has approximately 1,995 public charging stations as of 2025, but most EV drivers quickly realize that relying on public infrastructure for daily charging isn't realistic.

Long wait times, varying costs, and the inconvenience of DC fast chargers that aren't always nearby push most drivers toward home charging as the primary solution.

Most EV chargers installed at home are Level 2 chargers, which typically require a 240-volt, 40-amp dedicated circuit. At a minimum, a 50-amp circuit is required for a Level 2 EVSE under the current electrical code.

Charging overnight on a home Level 2 setup adds anywhere from 20 to 60 kWh of electricity consumption per vehicle per week, depending on how far you drive. For a two-EV household like Todd's, that adds up fast.

The typical answer is to simply accept higher utility charges from providers like PECO, Met Ed, or West Penn Power. Todd chose a better path: he decided to let the sun pay the bill.

As more Pennsylvania homeowners discover the benefits of going solar, pairing solar panels with EV charging has become a natural next step. Especially for families looking to cut transportation costs at the same time as their electricity costs.

The Challenge: Two EVs, Limited Roof Space, and a Big Energy Goal

When Todd reached out to TerraSol, the scope of what he needed was clear, but the path to get there wasn't simple.

He was already driving one fully electric vehicle and in the process of purchasing a second. Together, the two EVs charging daily represented a significant new energy load on top of the family's existing usage for AC, electronics, lighting, and general household power.

To cover current consumption plus the projected EV charging demand — and do it at 100% — meant Todd needed a solar system that didn't just supplement his usage. It had to completely replace his dependence on grid power.

That goal is more complex to engineer than most people realize. Solar integration with EV charging is complex in Pennsylvania, particularly because:

• Existing electrical panel capacity varies significantly from home to home
• Electrical panel upgrades may be required to safely support both a solar inverter connection and a Level 2 EV charger on a dedicated circuit
• Roof orientation, shading, and available square footage directly affect system size and peak output
• Pennsylvania utilities, including PECO, Met Ed, and West Penn Power, have specific interconnection requirements for grid-tied solar systems

Todd's home added another layer of difficulty: roof space was limited. The rear-facing roof was the only viable location for panels, and even there, every square foot counted.

On top of that, the home's architecture was a priority — Todd wasn't willing to sacrifice the property's curb appeal to achieve his energy goals. No one wants their roof to look like a commercial solar farm.

Our team got to work.

The Solution: High-Efficiency Solar Panels Built for Maximum Output

To realize Todd’s goal, TerraSol worked out a solution that incorporated SunPower’s most efficient all-black solar module at the time, the X21-350 BLACK. This solar module combines exceptional aesthetic – with its matte, all-black panel face and frame – while also packing a punch of power in a small amount of space.

1. Exceptional efficiency in a compact footprint. When roof space is tight, you need every panel to pull maximum weight. The X21-350 BLACK delivered industry-leading watt-per-square-foot performance, meaning fewer panels were needed to hit the output target.

2. All-black aesthetic. With its matte black panel face and matching black frame, the X21-350 BLACK panels virtually disappear into a dark shingle roof. Todd's home maintained its clean, architectural look — exactly as he wanted. This matters more than people expect; solar panels should enhance a property, not overwhelm it.

3. Proven long-term performance. SunPower panels are among the most durability-tested in the residential market, with degradation rates well below the industry average. For a solar EV setup that needs to perform reliably for 25+ years, that longevity matters.

The completed system, which fit 40 solar panels on just the rear roof of the house, succeeded in covering the complete offset of Todd’s current and future electric usage. Both EV cars could now be fully charged by the solar system, with more than enough power to spare for AC, electronics, lights, and the rest of the family’s daily needs.

Todd now lives with the peace of mind that his solar system is not only providing all his electrical needs now, but is future proof, ready to fulfill his family’s needs as they grow.

You can see similar approaches in action across our residential solar project gallery.

How a Solar-Integrated EV Charging System Actually Works

For homeowners considering a similar setup, it helps to understand how a solar EV charging system is structured. A well-designed solar-integrated EV charging system has four functional layers:

Layer 1 — Solar Generation: Your solar panels produce DC electricity at the roof level. Residential panels typically generate power at lower DC voltages, while commercial systems can produce DC at voltages up to 1,500V. A string or microinverter converts that DC output to AC power your home and chargers can use.

Layer 2 — Grid Connection and Net Metering Grid-tied solar chargers connect your EV chargers to the main electrical panel alongside your solar inverter output. During peak solar hours, your panels power your home and charge your EV simultaneously.

When the system produces more than you're consuming, excess power flows back to the grid. Pennsylvania's net metering program allows banking of solar generation credits, and major Pennsylvania utilities — including PECO, Met Ed, and West Penn Power — mandate full retail net metering, meaning those bill credits have real dollar value. You're essentially using the grid as a battery during nighttime hours and cloudy periods.

Layer 3 — EV Charging Hardware Your home EV charger (Level 2) is wired on its own dedicated circuit — a minimum of 50 amperes — by licensed electricians who understand both the NEC electrical code and Pennsylvania's specific permitting requirements.

Permitting requires filing an installation plan with the local municipality, and the work must comply with the NEC 2017 edition, which governs electrical standards in Pennsylvania. Some homes require electrical upgrades or a panel upgrade before a Level 2 charger can be safely added; solar-integrated EV setups depend heavily on existing electrical infrastructure.

Layer 4 — Smart Management (Optional): Advanced installations can include dynamic solar tracking chargers that adjust EV charging speed based on real-time solar output — a feature called self-consumption optimization.

When the sun is strong, and your panels are at peak output, the charger draws more power. When output dips, it scales back. This maximizes solar use and minimizes how much you draw from both solar and grid power.

Want to go deeper on how your panels generate and measure electricity? Check out this guide on testing solar power voltage and amperage.

What the Numbers Looked Like for Todd

Before the installation, Todd's household had a baseline electricity consumption. Adding two EVs was projected to increase that consumption by approximately 44%. A significant jump that would have translated to hundreds of additional dollars per year in utility charges from his Pennsylvania utility provider.

TerraSol's system design process involved:

• Calculating projected annual kWh consumption for the household, including both vehicles
• Assessing available roof area and optimal panel layout for maximum capacity
• Selecting panels with the highest efficiency-to-size ratio to meet production targets within the available roof footprint
• Coordinating electrical panel capacity and wiring to support both the solar inverter and Level 2 EV charging equipment safely

The system provides ample power for AC, electronics, lighting, and all household loads, with enough buffer to handle the family's needs as they grow.

Learn more about how to maximize your solar power system once it's installed.

The Financial Picture: Incentives, Rebates, and Savings

One of the most compelling reasons to pair solar power with EV charging right now is the layered financial incentive structure available to Pennsylvania homeowners.

Here's what's currently on the table:

Federal Tax Credit

The federal investment tax credit covers 30% of home EV charger installation costs, including equipment and labor. This applies to both the solar system and the qualified charging equipment, so the combined savings can be substantial.

Understanding the basics of photovoltaic technology can help you understand why your system qualifies for these credits.

Pennsylvania EV Purchase Incentive:

Pennsylvania offers up to $3,000 for new EV purchases, making the transition to electric transportation more accessible for families considering their first or second electric vehicle.

Utility Rebates

PECO customers can receive a $50 rebate for each EV they register. Utility rebates across Pennsylvania range from $100 to $300 for charger installation costs, depending on the provider. Met Ed and West Penn Power customers should check current programs with their utility for the latest available incentives.

Net Metering Bill Credits

Under Pennsylvania's net metering rules, every excess kWh your system sends to the grid comes back to you as a bill credit at the full retail rate. For a system sized like Todd's — one that generates more than the household consumes on most days — those credits accumulate and offset utility charges during winter months or periods of high consumption.

Increased Property Value

Increased property value is seen for homes with both renewable energy infrastructure and EV charging capabilities. A home with a paid-off solar system and Level 2 EV charging stations is increasingly attractive to buyers in Pennsylvania's competitive residential market.

For more on how to reduce energy expenses across the board, read our guide on reducing energy costs during the holidays and energy-efficient lighting choices.

What Todd's Life Looks Like Now

Todd now drives — and charges — with complete peace of mind. Both EVs are charged overnight by the power of the sun. There's no tracking utility rate increases, no calculating how much each charge costs, and no concern about longer trips depleting the battery and needing to find DC fast chargers or public charging stations along the way. The home handles everything.

More than that, the system is future-proof. As the family's needs evolve — whether that means a third EV, a Ford, or another electric model, battery storage integration, or other electrical upgrades — the solar foundation is already in place and sized to accommodate growth.

Solar and grid power work in concert seamlessly, and on the sunniest days, the system's output exceeds the family's total consumption, banking credits with the utility automatically.

Todd also no longer contributes to fossil fuel-based electricity generation for his home or his vehicles. His transportation and household energy are both powered by sunlight — a genuinely clean loop from panel to plug.

Is a Solar EV Charging Setup Right for Your Home?

If you're an EV owner, or planning to become one, in Pennsylvania, here’s a straightforward way to determine if a solar EV charger setup makes sense for your property:

You’re a strong candidate if:

• You own or are purchasing an electric vehicle (or multiple EVs)
• You have a suitable roof with reasonable south, west, or east-facing exposure
• Your current utility bills are $150/month or higher
• You're with a Pennsylvania utility provider like PECO, Met Ed, or West Penn Power
• You want to be efficient and maximize long-term savings on both home energy and vehicle charging

Things to know going in:

• Your electrical panel may need an upgrade to support both solar and Level 2 charging — your installer should assess this upfront
• Most EV chargers installed residentially are Level 2 (AC); DC fast chargers and DC fast charging equipment are typically reserved for commercial or fleet applications
• Carports with integrated solar canopies are another option if roof space is limited or if shading is a concern at your location
• Licensed electricians must handle all wiring, electrical panel upgrades, and permitting — don't cut corners on safety

The installation process with TerraSol covers all of this end-to-end, from initial system design and electrical assessment through permitting, installation, utility interconnection, and final inspection.

Our team works with residential and commercial customers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. For more on what makes solar power the right long-term choice, read why renewable energy is the future and how solar power is beginning to change the world.

Ready to Power Your EV with Solar in Pennsylvania?

Todd's story is one we see more and more: Pennsylvania homeowners who are done paying for power they could be generating themselves, done depending on the grid, and ready to make an investment that pays them back for decades.

Whether you have one EV or two, a modest roof or a sprawling one, TerraSol's team of licensed electricians and solar design experts will engineer a solar system that fits your home, your vehicles, and your goals.

If you're an EV owner in Chester County, the Philadelphia suburbs, or anywhere in the Pennsylvania tri-state area, ready to install a solar EV charger in PA that covers your home and your vehicles completely, TerraSol is ready to help you get there.

Request your free custom solar estimate today!