You can charge an electric vehicle (EV) with solar panels if you have a Level 1 or Level 2 charger in your home. It often costs less than filling the tank with gas. However, you have to acquire and install the solar panels on your home’s roof first.
How can I charge my EV from my solar panels?
There are two ways to charge your EV with solar panels.
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Use a Level 1 charger with a regular electrical outlet. A Level 1 charger is a cable that usually comes with your EV and plugs into an electrical outlet. Charging this way can take 40–50+ hours to go from empty to 80%, so the hours when your roof’s solar panels are producing energy will not be enough to fully charge your car; you’ll need to use electricity from the grid as well.
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Use a Level 2 charger. You can have a Level 2 EV charger installed to power your car more quickly. These chargers can be programmed to charge your car at times when electricity is cheaper and/or when your solar panels are producing the most (you may also be able to schedule this directly from your car). Plus, they can charge your car from empty to 80% in four to 10 hours. So with a Level 2 charger, you can probably charge your car exclusively with solar.
If you pair your solar panels with a solar battery, you solar power for use at a later time. That will extend the times when you can charge your EV with solar energy.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home with solar panels?
Charging your EV directly from your solar panels may cost less than charging it with electricity from the power grid. That’s because solar may lower your electric bills, reducing the price you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
How much it costs to charge an EV with solar varies depending on these factors:
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Your charger type. The more efficient your EV charger is, the less energy you lose when charging your car and the more you may save. It usually costs less to charge your car with a more-efficient Level 2 charger than with a less-efficient Level 1 charger, and you’re more likely to be able to charge your EV exclusively with solar power. But a Level 2 charger comes with some upfront costs.
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The cost of your solar panels. If you own your system and have already recouped the cost of your solar panels from savings on your electricity bills, charging your EV with your solar panels could cost almost nothing. If you lease your panels or are paying back a solar loan for them, your lease or loan payments will affect how much it costs to charge your EV.
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Your EV battery. If your car’s battery has a higher capacity, which means a longer mileage range, it will probably cost more to fully charge your EV. But the cost per kWh probably won’t be higher.
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Where you live. Your savings will be maximized if you live in an area with plenty of sunshine and favorable solar policies.
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When you charge your EV. Costs will depend on your local electricity rates and plan structures, as well as whether your solar panels are producing energy at the time you’re charging your EV.
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How much you drive. Driving a lot will increase your annual costs — but your savings (compared to filling up a gas tank or even charging an EV without solar) will be higher.
How to calculate the cost of charging an EV with solar power
Because so many variables are involved, it’s challenging to determine what it will cost to charge your EV with solar. But you can get an estimate using this formula:
Cost per 100 miles = Your EV’s kWh use per 100 miles * Cost per kWh for solar power
If you are unsure about your Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), you can consider the current cost of electricity per kWh that you are paying, which might even be close to zero if you have already paid off your solar panel installation. For instance, if your electricity cost is $0.17 per kWh without solar, you would pay $4.76 for every 100 miles of range in a 2023 Chevy Bolt. However, if your cost with solar reduces to $0.10 per kWh, you would only pay $2.80 for the same 100 miles of range. This can be a cost-effective option compared to purchasing gasoline for the same distance.
When it comes to charging an electric vehicle (EV) using solar energy, it typically requires around seven to twelve solar panels, according to EnergySage. Therefore, it is essential to consider the potential addition of an EV when determining the size of your solar panel system. The number of panels needed will depend on factors such as the capacity of your EV battery, the sunlight exposure in your area, whether you charge exclusively at home, and your driving habits.
To calculate the number of solar panels required for your EV charging needs, you can use the following formula:
Number of solar panels = (Annual home electricity use + Your EV’s annual electricity use) ÷ Solar panel production ratio ÷ Solar panel output
Today’s EVs consume approximately 25-40 kWh per 100 miles, meaning that if you drive around 13,476 miles per year (the U.S. average), your EV will need about 3,369–5,390 kWh annually.
There are several advantages and disadvantages to charging your EV with solar panels. Some benefits include maximizing fuel savings, reducing emissions, potential increased reliability during blackouts with a solar battery, and assisting in grid balancing. On the other hand, cons may include higher upfront costs due to the need for more panels, slower charging times when relying solely on solar power, and limitations on cloudy days when solar energy may not be sufficient for a full charge.
In conclusion, the combination of solar panels and EVs can be a beneficial choice for many individuals, offering both economic and environmental advantages. By carefully weighing the pros and cons, you can determine whether this sustainable energy solution aligns with your needs and preferences. following sentence in a more concise way:
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