Recently, electric vehicles have been gaining traction in the vehicle market. Investing in an electric vehicle can save money and do good for the planet. This article will focus on charging an electric vehicle and solar energy.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have single or multiple electric motors which use energy stored in a battery for propulsion. Unlike standard vehicles, which rely on combustion engines for their work, EVs use an electric motor. Engines having a combustion engine paired up with an electric motor exist too. These are called hybrid engines, but we will focus on 100% EVs in this article.
Battery Rating Of An Electric Vehicle
Battery rating, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), is the amount of power any battery can store. Some vehicles and their battery rating are listed below:
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: 68 kWh; 88 kWh.
- Nissan Leaf: 40 kWh; 62kWh.
- Chevrolet Bolt EV: 65 kWh.
- Tesla Model 3: 54 kWh; 82 kWh.
- Tesla Model X: 100 kWh.
- Tesla Model S: 100 kWh.
- Audi e-tron: 95 kWh.
- Tesla Model Y: 75 kWh.
- Rivian R1T: 105 kWh; 135 kWh; 180 kWh.
Charging Time
Charging times differ by the make, model, and brand of your EV. There are three types of charging options using AC electricity:
- Level 1 charger (120V) can charge at 1.9 kW. This comes out to be five miles of range per hour of charging time. This can be plugged into regular outlets, like standard devices.
- Level 2 charger (240V) can charge at 19.2 kW. This equates to 25 miles of range per hour of charging time. You need a special power outlet for this 240V system. This will be similar to the outlet used for large appliances like a clothes dryer.
- Level 3 chargers (480V) are fast chargers, the ones like the Tesla Supercharger. These chargers use DC electricity and add 200 miles of range per hour of charging time. However, these chargers are not used for residential applications but are more suitable for commercial settings.
Charging times will differ for every vehicle. Even if you see their charging time, actual charging times will depend on a few factors which can be upgraded to improve battery life, efficiency, and performance of your electric vehicle’s battery. The charging times that you see for each vehicle will seem high.
But it doesn’t mean that you become disinterested in EVs. Remember that as an EV owner, you aren’t likely to charge a battery from zero to a hundred percent but it will be common for you to charge in stages.
You’ll probably drive only a few miles every day. This discharge can be replenished by an overnight charge on a Level 1 charger of a lower charge rate to give you a completely charged battery in the morning.
The Number Of Solar Panels Needed To Charge An Electric Vehicle
To calculate this, you need to know how much your drive daily. The more you drive, the more solar panels you’ll need to replenish that depleted charge. Just calculate your daily driving distance, and you’ll be good to go.
Prior to the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration calculated the average number of miles driven to be 40 or 14,000 miles annually. After careful calculation and looking at data from various EVs, the average electric vehicle needs around four to eight solar panels to charge its batteries in ideal conditions completely.
Existing Solar Panels And Electric Vehicles
Homeowners with solar panels installed on their roofs must understand the relationship between daily electricity generation and consumption. You’ll have to know how much power your EV will consume, other extra charging needs, or if you need more solar panels so your home doesn’t have to buy electricity from the grid. Some things to consider are:
Home Charger:
Home chargers can be expensive, and if you’re planning to buy one, you should consider their location (wall-mounted or on a pole), cost, charging cable, logistical factors, and installation fees.
Battery Storage:
To ensure you never run out of charge, you can use solar batteries to charge your car even while driving. This way, you’ll fully use the solar energy while saving the electricity your solar panels generate for your home. Extra energy stored in these batteries can also be used to charge an EV at night.
Roof Space:
If you want only solar panels to charge your EV, opt for a more extensive roof to house your large solar array to accommodate the increasing demand for solar energy.
Timing:
You need to align the timelines for purchasing a new EV with the timeline for installing new solar panels.
Owned Electric Vehicle And Adding Solar Panels
To know the exact amount of solar panels needed, list all the factors like your family’s daily energy needs, your EV’s daily charging needs, and plans for consumption and production of electricity. Other considerations include:
Weather:
Different days will have varying electricity production since the Sun doesn’t shine the same daily. You’ll have to calculate your daily solar panels need by looking at historical weather patterns.
Roof:
The type and spacing of your roof tell you how many solar panels you’ll fit and how much light they’ll receive.
Peak Sun Hours:
Solar companies in your area will know peak sun hours and when you'll produce the most energy. They’ll also help take advantage of that energy with the number of solar panels needed.
Your EV, Solar Panels, And Battery Storage
Firstly, you must know how to use your EV if you work away from home during daylight hours. Because if you're working away, your car won’t be charging during the daytime. At this stage, you might want to consider a solar battery.
If you don’t use a battery, you’ll rely on the utility for your energy needs. Net metering can save you the purchase of a solar battery. In net metering, you’re rewarded with credits if you sell electricity to your utility company.
These credits can offset the cost of charging your EV when the solar panels aren't producing electricity. You can also use smart chargers for efficient and rapid charging, saving money in the long run.
Incentives And Rebates
Solar Tax Credits, offered by the federal government, allow you to claim a portion of your solar installation costs as a credit on your federal taxes. This can promote clean energy and save you money.
There are many programs which incentivize solar energy and EVs. They are conducted at local or state levels. However, their availability depends upon your area. The Database of State Incentives lists all incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) according to your location.
The Future of Electric Vehicles And Solar Energy
Solar charging stations are being installed in adventure trails by EV manufacturers such as Rivian and Jeep. Adventurers can avoid gas stations and let their adventurous nature run free on ragged roads.
Aptera Motors, an automotive manufacturer, is looking for solar-powered EVs. They aim to create a futuristic vehicle that will need to charge but instead will charge while working. Looking for traditional vehicles?
Turn over to Sono Motors, who have built a vehicle with solar modules. Hyundai is also testing new solar technologies like a solar panel roof to charge their battery packs and power the air conditioning and heating.
The future of the EV and the solar energy industry looks promising. Every day, there is innovation and development in these industries, and it will not be long since traditional vehicles are eradicated from the market.