The world has long been searching for new sources of energy, including solar, wind and tidal power.
At the same time, electric golf carts, electric bicycles, electric cars and other applications that use clean energy for business and home use are becoming increasingly popular.
Have you ever had the idea that there could be a combination of these things? how many panels do I need?
For example, using solar Panels to charge electric cars.
we’ve got all the answers for you if have any question related.
In this blog, we’ll tell you how much solar power you will need for your electric vehicle and how much solar power system capacity is enough for it. And we’ll also talk about charging ev battery with solar energy and whether or not installing solar panels on your home is worth it.
Introduction to Electric Cars
Electric cars are quickly becoming more popular thanks to their environmental benefits and snappy performance. The most common and popular EV is Tesla’s model series.
unlike tradition diesel based cars, Electric vehicles are charged at home or at public charging stations, and the number of these is growing rapidly.
Standard EV charging takes around 18 hours 30 minutes with an average of charging of six miles per hour of charging. That said, charging your car using a regular wall plug (2.3 kW) will take around 18 hours for a full charge and give you a range of around 135 miles per charge.
It takes 46 hours and 17 minutes to fill a Tesla model s at 120V in a typical U.S. home.
However, if you’re willing to invest in special charging equipment and time, you can get much more from your electric car battery than by simply charging it with a standard charger.
Can you charge EV with Solar Energy?
Yes, not only in theory but also in technology, and there are plenty of mature technical solutions and products on the market to make it happen.
There are two ways to use solar power to charge EVs: a completely stand-alone off-grid solar system to charge EVs, and combining with utility power to charge EVs.
The latter is more common and our recommendation.
Solar panels are a great way to charge electric car batteries. solar panel charging works by using the power of the sun to produce electricity which you can then use to power your vehicle or home.
This is an excellent option if you have access to sunny spots in your yard, because solar panels work best when they receive direct sunlight.
Benefits of Solar-Powered Electric Cars
Solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) offer a much cheaper charging option compared to electric grid power and public chargers, as the average price per kilowatt-hour (kwh) of solar energy is around half the national average price of grid electricity
EVs powered by Sun Power have several environmental benefits, as solar panels power electric cars without needing to use fossil fuels. This means that solar-charged EVs help to reduce carbon emissions.
Installing solar panels to charge your EV can also help to reduce carbon emissions, with Energy Saving Trust estimating that a typical home solar PV system could save around one tonne of carbon per year.
Additionally, EVs powered by sunpower offer several other environmental benefits compared to fossil-fueled vehicles. For example, they are much quieter and less polluting when driving on electric batteries than on petrol or diesel engines.
How Much Electricity Does an Electric Car Need?
Before making the switch to solar power, let’s have a look at how much electricity an electric car uses every day.
According to market averages, current EV electricity consumption is around 15 kWh per 100 km.
This means that you’re using about 0.15 kWh per kilometre, so if you’re driving 60 km a day, you’re using about 9 kWh.
The average EV requires about 4,000 kWh of electricity per year for standard usage. Depending on the solar charging efficiency, battery capacity, and other factors, that number can vary from 2,000 to 12,000 kWh.
Calculating Solar Panel Requirements
The amount of solar panels needed to power an electric car depends on the daily kWh needed to charge, the wattage of the panels, and the climate of your vehicle.
Now that we know how much electricity an electric car uses daily, let’s take a look at solar panel requirements.
Assuming you’re charging your car with solar system only, solar panel requirements will be much lower than energy consumption rates.
For example, if you drive 120 km per day and require 4~5 kWh of electricity for each 100 km travelled (based on the average EV usage rate), then your solar panels need to generate 2400 kWh per year – which is about 8 square metres!
if the solar panel is 250 Watt, then you need 5 Panels at least.
if the solar panel is 300W, then 4 Piece of Panels is required.
Hence, solar panel requirements will be lower if charging your car with solar power is only a small part of your electricity usage.
Based on this information, you can determine the number of panels required to power your car.
Challenges of Solar-Powered Electric Cars
Solar power is an energy source that is renewable, environmentally friendly, and reliable. However, solar-powered electric cars still face several challenges such as cost of solar power charging the battery, solar panel efficiency, sun exposure required to charge the battery, and grid electricity cost.
Solar panels generate power only when the sun is shining and cannot handle cloudy weather or nighttime.
As a result of these factors, solar-powered electric cars may not always be cheaper than grid electricity charging.
Hybrid Solar Inverter with Car Charging Port
A hybrid solar inverter is the key to using solar energy to power electric cars. It is a box that connects solar panels to an electric car charger and converts DC electricity generated by the solar panels into AC electricity required by charging electric car batteries.
Hybrid Solar inverters are available in various capacities, from 1-5 kilowatt (kW). This size of solar inverter can power a solar panel system of up to 20 kilowatt (kW).
Calculating the Energy Needed to Charge an EV
The amount of energy needed to charge an electric vehicle (EV) is based on the electric vehicle’s (EV) battery capacity and miles traveled per day.
The more miles you drive, the more energy needs to power the electric vehicle.
To calculate charging energy use, you can use a solar panel calculator. This tool will estimate charging energy use based on solar power, battery capacity, charging time, and miles of range per charging session.
On average, an electric vehicle battery holds around 30-60 kWh of power and charges at around 3-6 kilowatt hours (kWh) per hour of charging.
In terms of solar electricity, solar panels can generate 2-5 kilowatt hours (kWh) per hour of charging.
Therefore, if you have 5 solar panels setup on your roof, you will be able to generate enough energy to fully charge your car in about 8-12 hours.
If you go for grid power or public EV charger option, you will be spending around $415 for 5 solar panels and $662 for grid power as compared to $1,058 for public EV charger option.
Determining the Right Amount of Solar Panels
The amount of solar panels needed to power an electric vehicle (EV) depends on three key data points: the annual electricity usage of the EV, the wattage of solar panels, and the production of solar panels in a region.
To charge an EV with rooftop solar, you need to have a power grid that can accommodate solar energy, and you also need to know about charging times for EVs.
Solar panels cannot store electricity, so if you want to store your own electricity at home you will need a solar storage battery.
Although solar panels are cheaper than grid power, they are not cheap enough to power electric cars completely. Hence, it is necessary to use conventional energy sources as well.
Do you need a permit to install solar panels?
Depending on your location, you may need to obtain a permit before solar installation on your roof.
Permit requirements vary by state or region and may include inspections, zoning regulations, and building standards.
Local authorities may also require a plan outlining the size and location of the solar panels and any other necessary documents.
Solar panel installation may also require a structural engineer review of the roof.
You may also need to check for any homeowners association regulations in your area that may affect the installation of solar panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of solar panels?
The average cost of solar panels in 2022 is estimated to be between $8,000 and $20,000. This cost will vary depending on the size, type, and brand of solar panel you are purchasing.
How long will it take to charge my electric car using solar panels?
Charging electric cars with solar panels can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the size of the battery and the charging point.
What are the costs associated with installing solar panels?
In addition to solar panels, you need wiring, mppt solar controllers, solar batteries, and inverters to build a complete and usable solar power system.
The good news is that all-in-one inverters now combine the solar controller and inverter in one unit. Some special models can be connected to an EV charger.
Conclusion
The electric vehicle (EV) industry is growing each day. With more and more companies offering electric vehicle charging station and electric vehicle owners charging their vehicles with solar power, the electric vehicle industry is booming.
Going electric is better for the environment, your wallet, and your health. But it’s important to plan ahead and understand how much solar power you need to power an electric vehicle and which solar panels are best for the job.
If you would like to know more about renewable energy options for your home, we’re happy to help. Contact us today!
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