If you’re a Melbourne homeowner who’s considering a move to a more sustainably solar lifestyle, there’s a good chance that means you’ve asked yourself a couple of important questions:
“Should I buy an EV first, or install solar panels first?”
…and…
“Does the order in which I make these upgrades really matter?”
The simple truth is, the order actually does make a difference. Choosing the right sequence can help you save thousands of dollars, reduce your reliance on the grid, and make future energy upgrades far simpler and more cost-effective.
In this guide, we break down the key considerations for Melbourne households, examining factors such as daily driving habits, current energy bills, home infrastructure, available budget, and long-term planning goals. By understanding these factors, you can make a more informed decision about whether solar or an EV should come first, and learn how to set yourself up for a smoother transition to a more sustainable, electric-powered home. Scroll on down to learn more!
Why “Solar First” is the Best Choice for Most Melbourne Homes
For most homeowners, installing solar panels before purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) is usually the most practical and cost-effective approach. Here’s why this sequence tends to make the most sense:
1. You Start Saving on Electricity Immediately
By installing solar first, you begin reducing your household electricity costs from the very first day your system is operational. Even if you don’t yet own an EV, your solar panels are already generating power, cutting down on the energy you need to purchase from the grid, and making your home more energy-efficient. Over time, these early savings can be substantial, giving you a head start on offsetting electricity costs before adding the additional energy demands of an EV.
2. Solar Prepares Your Home for the Additional Load of an EV
Charging an electric vehicle significantly increases your home’s energy consumption. By having solar installed first, your system can absorb a portion of this extra demand, reducing the stress on your home’s electrical supply and helping you manage charging costs more effectively. Essentially, solar panels act as a buffer, preparing your home for the higher electricity usage that comes with EV ownership and ensuring your system is future-ready for other upgrades, such as a battery storage unit.
3. You Gain Greater Control and Understanding of Your Home’s Energy Use
Installing solar early allows you to observe how your household consumes and produces energy throughout the year. You’ll gain insight into seasonal patterns, peak usage times, and how your solar generation aligns with your daily energy needs. This understanding is invaluable once you introduce an EV, as it helps you plan charging schedules, avoid peak-grid costs, and optimise your home’s overall energy efficiency.
4. You Can Accurately Size Your Solar System for Future Needs
When solar is installed before your EV, your installer can design a system that accommodates not only your current household consumption but also your anticipated future energy requirements. Many households that plan to add an EV benefit from solar systems in the 8 kW to 10 kW+ range, combined with smart inverter compatibility and a system layout designed for future battery or EV charger integration. By considering your eventual EV energy load upfront, you avoid the common problem of undersizing your system and having to upgrade later, which can be both costly and inconvenient.
By following this approach, you ensure your home is energy-ready, maximise early savings, and create a foundation for a smooth transition to an electric lifestyle. Solar first isn’t just about immediate benefits; it’s about setting yourself up for smarter, more sustainable energy management in the long term.
EV First: When It Makes Sense to Buy the Car Before Solar
While installing solar before an electric vehicle (EV) is ideal for many households, there are several scenarios where purchasing the EV first can be practical or even the smarter choice. Each family’s circumstances differ, and understanding when to prioritise the EV can help you make a more strategic decision. For instance, you may wish to reevaluate your installation order if…
1. Your Current Vehicle is Reaching the End of Its Life
If your petrol or diesel car is becoming increasingly expensive to run or maintain, upgrading to an EV immediately can offer significant cost savings. EVs eliminate petrol or diesel expenses entirely, require far less frequent servicing, and are generally more reliable over the long term. By switching to an EV right away, you reduce your transport costs while still having the option to add a solar system later. This approach allows you to enjoy the running cost benefits of electric transport immediately without being tied to your home energy setup.
2. You Primarily Charge At Work or Public Charging Stations
For households where workplace charging is available or public charging infrastructure is convenient, home charging may not be essential at first. In these cases, the need for a solar system is less urgent because your EV doesn’t heavily draw from your home electricity. This provides flexibility to install solar panels later, once home charging becomes necessary or more convenient, without affecting your EV’s usability in the meantime.
3. You’re Renovating, Moving, or Waiting for Solar Approvals
Homes undergoing renovations, new builds, or located in strata/apartment settings may face delays in installing solar due to construction schedules, roof access issues, or the time required to secure approvals. In such situations, purchasing an EV first is a practical solution. You can begin enjoying the benefits of electric mobility immediately, while planning solar installation for a later stage once your home is ready. This phased approach avoids unnecessary delays to adopting cleaner transport.
4. Time-Sensitive EV Rebates or Discounts
Government incentives — such as Victorian or federal EV rebates, grants, or limited-time discounts — can create financial urgency. If these programs are due to expire soon, purchasing the EV first may make the most sense financially. Taking advantage of these incentives allows you to lower the upfront cost of your EV, while solar installation can be scheduled later without compromising long-term savings.
In summary, while a solar-first approach often maximises cost savings and energy efficiency, there are clear situations where prioritising an EV is both practical and beneficial. Assess your vehicle’s condition, charging options, home readiness, and timing of incentives to determine the best sequence for your household. You can also speak to Total Solar Solutions today to learn if you are eligible for any solar rebates or incentives.
What About Batteries? Should They Come Before or After EV & Solar?
For most households, the recommended sequence for adopting home energy upgrades is:
Solar → Battery → EV → Smart Charger
This order maximises savings, prepares your home for increased energy demand, and ensures future upgrades are easier and more cost-effective.
However, there are situations where deviations from this sequence make sense.
Install a battery early if:
- You primarily charge your EV at night and want to store solar energy or take advantage of off-peak electricity.
- Your home experiences frequent power outages and you want backup supply for reliability.
- Your feed-in tariff is low, as is common across much of Victoria, making stored energy more valuable than exporting it to the grid.
- Your household energy usage peaks during evening hours, meaning a battery can shift solar or stored energy to match demand.
Install the EV first if:
- Solar installation isn’t currently possible due to home renovations, roof limitations, or approval delays.
- You plan to charge mainly using off-peak grid power rather than solar, reducing the immediate need for a system.
- Limited-time EV rebates or incentives make it financially advantageous to purchase the vehicle before other upgrades.
By considering these exceptions, you can tailor the upgrade sequence to your household’s unique needs while still optimising efficiency, savings, and convenience over the long term.
The Best Install Sequence for Different Types of Melbourne Households
Scenario 1: Family with high energy bills planning to get an EV soon
Recommended order: Solar → Battery (optional) → EV → EV Charger
Reason: Installing solar first reduces electricity bills immediately and prepares your home for the additional energy demand of an EV.
Scenario 2: Your current car is failing and you need an EV immediately
Recommended order: EV → Solar → EV Charger → Battery
Reason: Immediate transport needs make the EV a priority; solar can be added shortly after.
Scenario 3: Renovating or building a new home
Recommended order: Solar + prewiring → EV → Battery
Reason: Early planning allows proper wiring, switchboard space, and inverter capacity to support a future EV charger efficiently.
Scenario 4: Apartment or townhouse requiring body corporate approvals
Recommended order: EV → Approvals → Solar (if permitted) → Charging solution
Reason: Regulatory or approval delays mean the EV can come first, with solar and charging infrastructure installed once permissions are granted.
The Most Cost-Effective Path for Most Melbourne Homes
If your goal is to future-proof your home while maximising savings, the ideal sequence is:
1. Install solar first
- Immediately reduce electricity bills
- Prepare your home for the additional energy demand of an EV
- Set yourself up for maximum savings when charging an EV in the future
2. Add a battery
- Reduce reliance on the grid during evening hours
- Enable partial overnight EV charging using stored energy
- Improve overall system reliability and resilience
3. Purchase the EV
- Charge at the lowest possible cost using your solar or stored energy
- Cut transport expenses compared with petrol or diesel vehicles
- Make full use of your solar system’s generation
4. Install a smart EV charger
- Prioritises using solar energy for charging
- Helps avoid high peak electricity tariffs
- Protects your home’s wiring and switchboard from overload
Final Words: Plan Your All-Electric Future the Smart Way
For many Melbourne homes, the most practical approach is to install residential solar first, then add a battery, purchase an EV, and then install a smart home EV charger. This sequence maximises savings, ensures efficient, cost-effective EV charging. But, just as every person has their own individualistic requirements, so too does every home; so while there are some broad suggestions in regards to sustainable set-ups, what’s best for someone else may not be what’s best for you. But you can always consult an expert by contacting Total Solar Solutions on (03) 9729 0894, or emailing us at [email protected].