September 2, 2025 The growing deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) has generated a grassroots movement to build smarter, cleaner charging systems. As energy demands rise alongside EV adoption, relying solely on traditional power sources won’t ensure long-term sustainability.
KMB Design Group is leading the charge in helping commercial developers, municipalities, and utilities integrate renewable energy into EV infrastructure. As recent attendees of RE+ 2025 Mid-Atlantic, we’re proud to be at the forefront of energy design innovation. This blog outlines the opportunities, challenges, and strategies for combining solar and EV systems to support cleaner, more resilient transportation networks.
Integrating Power Systems with Solar Design
Solar engineers play a vital role in integrating EV charging infrastructure with renewable energy with renewable generation. It’s not simply connecting panels to a roof—it’s a design process in which there is power system integration, load management, and future planning.
Significant engineering work encompasses several key areas. This includes conducting site surveys to assess solar capacity, identify optimal panel locations, and determine the feasibility of utility interconnects. Additionally, engineers design systems that integrate PV arrays with EV infrastructure using inverters, controllers, and storage where applicable. Efforts focus on seamless integration with utilities to facilitate net metering, demand response, and peak shaving strategies.
Properly engineered, grid-connected solar EV stations reduce reliance on the grid, cut emissions, and boost resilience during peak loads or outages. Moreover, coupling EV chargers and solar reduces grid load and enables cleaner cycles of energy, especially when combined with storage.
Scalable Infrastructure for Renewable-Powered EV Charging
As EV adoption accelerates, supporting infrastructure must scale accordingly. The primary challenge is creating systems that grow over time—without large-scale redesigns.
KMB’s solar engineering team designs modular energy solutions that are suitable for phased deployment and future upgrade. This approach includes:
- Planning oversized underground infrastructure, load centers, and conduits to accommodate future additional chargers or PV arrays.
- Designing multifunctional canopies and solar carports for energy generation and weather protection.
- Incorporating battery storage solutions to assist in offsetting peak loads and off-grid backup power.
As loads increase, additional PV panels or charging stations can be added to the system without costly structural rebuilds. This flexibility is beneficial for public areas, corporate parks, or mall complexes with long-term sustainability goals.
How AI Enhances Renewable Energy and EV Charging System Integration
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing energy system design and management. In electric vehicle solar-powered charging stations, AI enables real-time optimization and predictive analytics, enabling smarter, more efficient solar-powered EV charging systems.
AI-powered tools support renewable EV infrastructure by:
- Solar production forecasting and optimizing charging capacity based on generation level, weather, and usage patterns.
- Regulating energy flow between the grid, PV arrays, battery storage, and EV chargers to minimize energy loss.
- Offering predictive maintenance alerts to reduce downtime and extend system life.
Artificial intelligence enables accurate synchronization between solar input and EV output, ensuring both systems operate harmoniously.
Policy Support, Tax Credits, and Incentives
Some government policies eases the path to renewable-powered EV infrastructure, creating strong incentives for businesses and municipalities to invest now
Key programs and incentives are:
- EV Charging Rebates: Many states offer utility-sponsored rebates for installing EV chargers powered by renewable energy such as the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit offered by the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Local and State Incentives: Grants and financing may be available for infrastructure projects that meet sustainability requirements or serve disadvantaged communities.
Policy support not only reduces upfront costs but also accelerates ROI on solar EV installations. KMB helps clients identify applicable programs and secure the best financial solution.
Why is KMB the Ideal Engineering Partner?
Integrating renewable energy isn’t just about system design, it’s a strategic investment. At KMB Design Group, we offer turnkey solutions that combine solar design and energy consulting to deliver high-performance EV infrastructure.
Our expertise includes:
- Internal solar engineering for system sizing, design, and feasibility studies.
- Regulatory guidance to help customers navigate permitting, utility interconnection, and incentive programs.
- Customized scalability planning for future expansion without unnecessary cost.
We understand the operational, technical, and regulatory complexities of renewable-powered EV infrastructure—and we design accordingly. When construction time arrives to bring a concept into being, KMB is the partner you’ll rely on.
From solar integration and scalable design to AI optimization and policy support, KMB delivers the engineering expertise to make your project a reality
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can solar engineering help lower the cost of commercial EV charging stations?
Solar engineering reduces operational costs by using on-site renewable energy to power EV charging stations. This minimizes reliance on the grid, especially during peak hours, and may qualify businesses for federal and state incentives.
What should I look for in an engineering firm to support solar and EV charging integration?
Look for an engineering firm with proven experience in solar design and EV charging infrastructure. The ideal partner should provide turnkey solutions that include system sizing, permitting, utility coordination, and scalability planning.
Are there tax credits or rebates available for installing solar-powered EV charging stations?
Yes. Businesses may qualify for the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which covers up to 30% of solar system costs, as well as local utility rebates and grants for EV infrastructure that includes renewable energy components.
Can solar and EV charging systems be designed to scale as our fleet or energy needs grow?
Absolutely. Modular solar and EV charging infrastructure allows for phased expansion—enabling businesses to add panels, chargers, or storage capacity without major retrofits. A qualified engineering firm will design systems with future growth in mind.