As the world shifts toward sustainable living, more people are exploring how to make their lifestyle as eco-friendly as possible. Here in Nevo, we believe electric vehicles are a big step in the right direction, offering a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel-powered transport. But if you want to take things further and live a fully green driving lifestyle, pairing your EV with solar panels is the answer. This approach goes beyond just swapping fuel for electricity, it means using renewable energy you can generate yourself! With the right setup, you can drastically reduce your environmental footprint, cut energy costs, and achieve a level of independence from the traditional grid that most people only dream of.

What Does “Fully Green” Actually Mean?

When people talk about living a fully green lifestyle, they usually mean making choices that have as little impact on the environment as possible. When it comes to driving, that means moving away from fossil fuels altogether.

Driving an EV already cuts out tailpipe emissions, which is a huge step in the right direction. But if you’re charging your car using electricity from the grid, chances are some of that power still comes from coal, gas, or other non-renewable sources.

To make your driving truly green, you need to charge your EV with 100% renewable energy, and that’s where home solar panels come in. By generating your own clean electricity with help from Activ8 Solar Energies, you can make sure your car runs on sunshine, not fossil fuels.

How EVs and Solar Panels Work Together

Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity through an inverter. This clean energy can be used right away to power your home, and charge your EV. Any surplus energy can be stored in a home battery system for use at night or on cloudy days. Pair your setup with a smart EV charger, and things get even better. These chargers can track your solar output in real-time and automatically charge your car when there’s excess solar energy available. In some cases, if the sun’s shining bright, your EV can fully charge without pulling a single unit from the grid.

Even better - when your EV and solar setup are properly integrated using platforms like SSE Airtricity EnergiHub, they can work together intelligently. You can program your EV to only charge during peak sunlight hours or when your home battery hits a certain level. It’s a seamless, self-sustaining system designed to get the most out of every ray of sunshine.

Energy Independence: Driving Without the Grid

One of the biggest advantages of pairing EVs with solar is energy independence. Using little or no electricity from the grid means you're shielded from rising energy costs and potential outages. You’re in control, at home and on the road.

This is especially powerful in Ireland, where electricity prices are among the highest in Europe. With a solar-powered EV system, you can lock in long-term savings and sidestep the volatility of energy markets. What’s more, if your system includes battery storage, you can continue to charge your EV at night using solar energy stored during the day. Meaning your car is always ready to go, without ever tapping the grid.

Any excess energy can also be exported back to the grid in a process called microgeneration. If you're a customer of Activ8 Energies and SSE Airtricity you will receive Ireland’s highest export rate of €0.29c per kWh exported. ESB state there are now well over 100,000 rooftop solar microgenerators in Ireland, helping to ease pressure on the grid.

Living With It: What a Typical Day Looks Like

So, what does a day in the life of a solar-powered EV driver look like? Picture this: Morning sunlight hits your roof, and your solar panels kick into action. They begin generating electricity to power your home’s morning routine - coffee machine, lights, heating, appliances. As the sun climbs higher, your solar production ramps up. Once your home’s needs are met, the excess energy flows into your EV, which is plugged in and ready.

By early afternoon, your car has had a solar top-up, and your home battery is filling with the leftover power. Come evening, as the sun dips, your battery steps in, powering the home and finishing the EV charge if needed. That’s green living in motion - quiet, cost-effective, and good for the planet.

How to Get Started? Meet Activ8

Going fully green might sound like a big leap, but with the right help, it’s more achievable than ever. That’s where Activ8 Solar Energies comes in.

As one of Ireland’s most experienced solar specialists, Activ8 delivers complete solutions for households looking to pair solar with EV ownership. The process starts with a home assessment, looking at your energy use, roof space, and EV charging habits. From there, they’ll design and install a custom system with solar panels, an inverter, optional battery storage, and a smart EV charger.

With over 22,000 installations nationwide and SEAI-registered services, Activ8 combines deep technical know-how with a real commitment to sustainability. They’ll even guide you through grant applications and provide long-term support to keep your system running smoothly for years.

A fully green lifestyle isn’t a far-off dream, it’s here, and it’s ready when you are. If you're considering solar for your home or business, get in touch with Activ8 Solar Energies today.