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Jul 10th, 2026 | Services

Maximum solar power for your EV: why a solar inspection pays off

Solar and an electric car are a well-matched team: Charge your EV conveniently at home using solar power generated on your own roof. But that only works as long as your system actually delivers the output it could — and you can't tell that just by looking at it. Our PV partner Otovo explains in this guest article when a solar inspection makes sense and what it involves.

If you charge your electric car with your own solar power, you have the best combination of the energy transition right on your roof: cheap miles, with no detour to a public charger. For it to stay that way, though, the system has to reliably deliver its full output.

And this is exactly where the problem lies. A solar system is one of the most inconspicuous things in your home. It works quietly, sits on the roof, and rarely speaks up. Whether it's really producing the output it could is hard to judge from the ground.

The problem: less solar for your car — and you won't notice

Solar panels are durable, but they age, get dirty, and depend on fault-free technology behind them. A loose connection, an outdated inverter, or new shade from a tree that's grown taller — each of these costs output, without the system ever shutting down.

For EV drivers, that hits twice over: every kilowatt-hour the roof doesn't deliver is missing at the wallbox — and has to be bought back from the grid at a higher price. Planned solar miles quietly turn into expensive grid miles. Many people only notice on the annual statement, by which point months have already been lost.

An inspection makes particular sense when:

  • Your panels are producing noticeably less power than usual.

  • Your inverter keeps showing error messages you can't interpret.

  • You took over the system from a previous owner and don't know what condition it's in.

  • Your system is already older and you want to be sure everything is working properly.

In all these cases, the rule is the same: the earlier a problem is caught, the more solar power ends up in your car instead of going to waste.

The solution: the Otovo solar inspection

So you don't have to guess, there's the Otovo solar inspection. As the exclusive PV partner of Elli, Otovo checks your entire system — from the panels through the wiring to the inverter — and tells you clearly where you stand.

The inspection is available from €299 (incl. VAT). After your request, you'll be assigned a technician within 48 hours on business days.

What the inspection covers

During the Otovo solar inspection, we check all the technology connected to your solar panels:

  • Electrical system: We check the inverter and the electrical components, verify that voltages and currents are within their target ranges, and bring your inverter's firmware up to date.

  • Yield and performance analysis: We review your production data and assess whether your system is delivering the expected output. We also fix any connection issues with your monitoring along the way.

  • Visual inspection: We check the panels, mounting, wiring, and connections from the ground.

  • Shading analysis: We check whether new sources of shade are affecting your output.

  • Technical report: You receive a written report on the condition of your system — with concrete recommendations to optimize it and details on any repairs that may be needed.

In the end, you have it in black and white how your system is doing — and the assurance that your EV is charging on maximum solar power again.

Long-term support: the Otovo Care™ Membership

An inspection is the right choice when you want one-time clarity. If you'd also like someone keeping an eye on your system for the long run, the Otovo Care™ Membership is worth a look.

Members get an expert on call including a hotline, free remote diagnosis — we solve many problems right over the phone — and a 10% discount on coordinated repairs. And members get €50 off their first solar inspection.

As part of the partnership with Elli, you get the Otovo Care Membership from €9 a month — and the one-time €99 setup fee is waived entirely.

Get the most out of your roof

Your EV is only as cheap to run as your solar system is at producing power. With a solar inspection, you make sure the two work together — today and in the future.

Request your solar inspection via https://www.otovo.de/partner/elli-solarmodulreinigung/ — a technician will get in touch to discuss your situation.

Are you planning to install a solar PV system? Learn why combining solar power and e-mobility makes sense and what you should consider when integrating both in this article.