How to charge your car using solar power from your own roof

In cooperation with the Federal Office of Energy

What you need to know

Using power from your own roof not only allows you to enjoy totally emission-free driving, but is also cheaper than using electricity from the grid. An electric car consumes roughly the same amount of electricity as a boiler in a four- room apartment in Switzerland, i.e. around 3,000 kWh per year on average.

The size of the required solar power system depends on your annual electricity consumption.

If you have a battery, you can also use the power generated during the day to charge your electric vehicle overnight. Smart charging systems make it possible to cover 50-90% of the annual consumption of an electric car using your own solar power, even without a battery.

Ready for your own solar service station?

Follow these seven steps to quickly and easily realise your dream of a solar power system:

• Check whether your roof or facade are suitable, e.g. at Sonnendach or Sonnenfassade.

• Locate solar power and charging solution specialists.

• Request and compare quotes.

• Register your planned system with the council and your electricity provider.

• Apply for subsidies and tax rebates from your canton. On average, thepurchase costs of a photovoltaic system will have paid for themselves after eight to nine years and you can then charge your vehicle for free using your own solar power.

• Have your solar service station installed.

• Fill up on as much solar power as possible.

Useful additional information about these individual steps is available at EnergieSchweiz.