With the advancement in technology, the world is moving toward a faster, better, and cleaner mode of transportation. Mechanical engines are thing of the past. Electric engines, powering electric vehicles, are the FUTURE. It is faster, reliable and did I mention it is an eco-friendly way to travel. Moreover, EV charging through solar is like a cherry on top. EVs have an exclusive feature known as a regenerative braking system. It is a way to conserve energy which, in turn, increases the efficiency of EVs. Through Regenerative braking systems, EVs are able can their kinetic energy back to electrical energy, making EVs more appealing to general customers.
According to International Energy Agency reports, by the end of 2021, 16.6 million EVs were pacing the road around the globe. In 2021, electric vehicles sale almost got doubled. Why? It was primarily because of the inflated gas prices and second people just want to reduce their carbon footprint. The United States government is also encouraging its citizen to invest in electric vehicles. This initiative could be seen in terms of the passage of the inflation reduction act. According to this act, money is being diverted toward building the largest infrastructure in the US. Not only this charging EVs through solar energy is cheaper as compared to gas prices.
Could EV charging through solar panels be possible?
According to the US Energy Information Administration(EIA), “electricity costs are consistently on the rise for the past twenty years”. Gas prices crossed the eighteen percent increase mark last year. People want to make the most out of their auto budget these days. How can people do that? By switching to EVs. The cost of switching from general motors to electrical motors would seem quite high, at first. But, in the long run, it is going to save you a lot of money plus the added benefits of no noise pollution and clean air to breathe in. There are also federal and local tax credits that would help lower the initial cost of EVs just like solar incentives. But, how can we economically charge an EV? Simple, through solar charging options.
Solar charging options are the best option for charging EVs. With the rising cost of electricity and extreme weather patterns: charging EVs through solar energy is eco as well as budget-friendly for homeowners. EV charging through solar panels would help us to curtail the increasing global warming phenomena without even budging on our carbon footprint. According to a report by International Council on Clean Transportation, “gas-powered vehicles emit more greenhouse gases as compared to electrical vehicles” and EVs are more energy efficient by the process of regenerative braking systems.
Things you need to charge an EV through solar energy:
EV charging through solar energy setups include
- A rooftop solar module.
- Micro-inverter.
Level two EV charger.
Why use a solar panel array to charge your electric vehicle?
EVs could be charged through electricity that can come from utility grids, from your rooftop solar array, or from public charging stations. According to a survey conducted by solar service, EV charging through solar panels would set you back by 415 dollars annually, while charging the same vehicle through the grid power would cost you about 662 dollars, and charging through a public EV charger would cost you about 1058 dollars. You could save up to 16250 dollars annually by charging your EVs at home. So, the first reason to charge EVs with the solar array is that it is economical in nature. Second, since solar arrays use solar radiation as a source of electricity production, they won't budge your carbon footprint either. So, it is like killing two birds with one stone. You get to enjoy fast rides in a more economical and eco-friendly way.
What should be the size of the solar system to charge an electric car?
The solar system size to charge electric vehicles depends upon the battery capacity of the EV, EV charging efficiency, and EV charger. According to an estimate, one solar panel produces four-kilowatt energy per day. EVs need approximately 4666 kWh of energy to charge electric vehicles. If you already have a rooftop solar array installed, then you might only need three to twelve additional solar arrays on top of your current solar PV modules. Otherwise, if you need to install solar arrays from scratch, you need to make a count of solar arrays which could supply electricity to both your home and electric vehicles.
Originally Published On: https://solarsme.com/ev-charging-through-solar-panels-is-the-deal-of-the-century-or-not/
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