Determinants of Optimizing Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Home Electric Vehicle Charging: Evidence from Malaysian Households

Abstract

The integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with home electric-vehicle (EV) charging represents a key opportunity to enhance residential energy efficiency and support Malaysia’s low-carbon mobility agenda. However, empirical evidence identifying the determinants that influence the optimisation of solar-powered EV charging remains limited. This study examines four critical factors—EV ownership, energy trading, charging variables, and battery storage—to determine their influence on the optimisation of home EV charging using solar PV systems. A quantitative approach was employed, and data were collected from 384 Malaysian households with experience or interest in solar electric vehicle (EV) usage. The dataset was analysed using SPSS Version 29, incorporating descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicate that charging variables and battery storage are significant predictors of optimisation, demonstrating strong positive effects. In contrast, EV ownership and energy trading were not statistically significant in the final model. These results highlight the dominant role of technological determinants, particularly charging configuration and storage capacity, in enabling optimal utilisation of solar energy for residential EV charging. This study contributes new empirical insights to the renewable-energy and electromobility literature by clarifying the technological factors that most strongly influence solar–EV optimisation at the household level. The findings offer practical implications for policymakers, industry practitioners, and homeowners aiming to strengthen Malaysia’s transition toward efficient, solar-powered EV charging systems.