On-site renewables are renewable energy sources installed at a specific location (building, depot, parking site, charging hub) that generate electricity locally—most commonly solar PV (rooftop, carport, ground-mount) and, in some cases, wind or other renewable technologies. In EV charging, on-site renewables are used to supply part of charging demand with locally produced clean power.
Why on-site renewables matter for EV charging
On-site renewables can improve both economics and sustainability:
– Reduce grid electricity purchases and improve energy cost predictability
– Lower Scope 2 emissions (depending on accounting method)
– Support net-zero charging and sustainability commitments
– Reduce peak imports when paired with managed charging and storage
– Improve resilience options as part of a microgrid design (where permitted)
Common types of on-site renewables
– Rooftop solar PV on offices, warehouses, depots, retail sites
– Solar carports over parking bays (often integrated with charging bays)
– Ground-mount PV on available land near industrial sites
– Small wind in suitable open locations (less common in urban areas)
– Hybrid systems combined with on-site energy storage
How on-site renewables are used with charging
Typical operational approaches include:
– Self-consumption: charging uses renewable generation in real time
– Solar-following managed charging: shift charging to midday generation peaks
– Battery buffering: store excess solar for evening charging or peak shaving
– Export management: limit export when grid rules require, and prioritize local use
– Reporting: track renewable share of kWh delivered for ESG and customer claims
Benefits
– Better charging ROI where daytime demand aligns with solar output
– Reduced demand charge exposure when peak import is managed
– Improved site sustainability profile for tenants, employees, and customers
– Potential to scale with EV adoption (expand PV and chargers in phases)
Limitations and considerations
– Output is variable (seasonal and weather-driven)
– Space and structural limits can constrain system size
– Export limits and interconnection rules may reduce benefits
– Without load shifting or storage, self-consumption can be low if demand peaks at different times
– Carbon claims must be clearly defined (site-level vs market-based accounting)
Related glossary terms
On-site renewable generation
On-site generation
Renewable integration
Managed charging
Load management
On-site battery buffering
On-site energy storage
Microgrid
Net-zero charging
Green power purchase agreement (PPA)