Why More NY and NJ Homeowners Are Pairing Solar with EV Charging in 2026
If you own an electric vehicle — or you’re thinking about getting one — you’ve probably noticed that charging costs add up fast. In New York and New Jersey, where electricity rates are among the highest in the country, plugging in at home is still cheaper than public charging, but it still hits your monthly bill. The solution more homeowners are turning to in 2026: pair your EV charger with a home solar system and charge your car with sunlight instead of grid power.
At Infinity Energy, we’ve been installing solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging equipment for homes across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut since 2008. Here’s what you need to know about going all-electric at home.
The Real Cost of Charging an EV Without Solar
Charging at home on a standard Level 2 charger costs roughly $0.27 per kilowatt-hour for most New York and New Jersey homeowners — significantly less than public charging stations, which typically run $0.31 to $0.48/kWh. But with Con Edison customers now paying over $0.30/kWh in many tiers and PSE&G rates climbing heading into summer, that math is shifting.
The average EV driver adds 30–40 miles of range per day — roughly 10–15 kWh. At New York or New Jersey rates, that’s $3 to $4.50 per day, or $100 to $135 per month added directly to your electric bill. Over a year, you’re looking at $1,200 to $1,600 just to charge one vehicle.
A solar system sized to cover your home’s base load and your EV charging can eliminate most or all of that cost.
How Solar + EV Charging Works Together
When you add a solar array to your home, it generates electricity during daylight hours. With net metering in both New York and New Jersey, any excess power you don’t use flows back to the grid — and you earn credit for it on your bill. When you charge your EV overnight, you draw against those credits.
For homeowners who charge during the day — those who work from home, retirees, or anyone who can schedule charging during peak solar production hours — the combination is even more powerful. Your panels generate power, your car charges directly from that power, and your meter barely moves.
Add a Tesla Powerwall battery to the mix, and you can store daytime solar energy to charge your EV at night, even when the panels aren’t producing. Infinity Energy is a Tesla Powerwall certified installer, and we design systems that tie your solar, storage, and EV charger together as one seamless home energy system.
What EV Charging Incentives Exist in NY and NJ?
Both states have programs designed to reduce the upfront cost of installing a Level 2 EV charger at home:
New York — Charge Ready NY: NYSERDA’s Charge Ready NY program provides rebates for residential Level 2 EV charger installations. New York homeowners can also take advantage of the NY Drive Clean Rebate of up to $2,000 on qualifying EV purchases. When combined with the state’s solar incentives — including the 25% NY state solar tax credit (up to $5,000) and NY-Sun rebates — a solar + EV setup becomes substantially more affordable.
New Jersey — Charge Up New Jersey: New Jersey’s Charge Up NJ program offers incentives for residential EV charger installations through approved equipment. NJ homeowners also benefit from the state’s strong solar incentive stack: the SuSI SREC-II program pays approximately $680 per year for 15 years for the solar electricity your system produces — that’s a guaranteed income stream, not just a bill reduction.
Both states exempt solar equipment from sales tax and prevent solar installations from raising your property taxes — significant savings on top of the upfront rebates.
What Does a Solar + EV System Cost in 2026?
System costs vary based on roof size, energy usage, and how much EV charging you need to offset. A typical residential solar system in New York or New Jersey runs in the range of $2.65–$2.85 per watt installed before incentives. Add a Level 2 EV charger installation, and you’re typically looking at $800 to $1,500 for the hardware and labor — a modest addition to a larger solar project.
Most homeowners who go solar + EV in 2026 see payback periods in the 7–9 year range after incentives, with systems warrantied to produce power for 25 years. The longer-term economics of owning your own clean fuel source — especially as electricity rates continue climbing — are compelling.
Infinity Energy offers $0 down financing options so you don’t have to pay for the system out of pocket to start saving from day one.
Is Your Home a Good Fit?
Most homes with south- or southwest-facing roofs in New York and New Jersey are strong candidates for solar. For EV charging, you’ll need an electrical panel with available capacity for a 240V circuit — a quick assessment our team does during your free consultation.
We serve homeowners across Westchester, Rockland, and Orange Counties in New York, Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey, and throughout Connecticut. Our in-house roofing division also means that if your roof needs attention before installation, we handle that too — no third-party contractors.
The Bottom Line
EV adoption in New York and New Jersey is accelerating — over 79,000 EVs are registered in New York City alone, with more coming each month. If you’re already driving electric or planning to, pairing your EV charger with a solar system is the logical next step. You’ve already made the commitment to drive on clean energy. Generating that energy at home completes the picture.
Infinity Energy has completed over 10,000 solar installations since 2008. We’re a NYSERDA Gold installer, an Elite+ installer on EnergySage (top 4% nationally), and EnergySage’s Installer of the Year. Our 25-year panel and production warranty means this is a long-term investment we stand behind.
Ready to see what solar + EV charging would look like for your home? Get a free quote from Infinity Energy!
