Can You Charge Your Car with Solar Energy?
February 15, 2023Key Takeaways
- Solar energy is a renewable source of energy produced by the sun that can be harnessed to power homes, businesses, and vehicles.
- There are two ways to charge your car with solar energy: by using a solar panel charging system at home or by using a public solar charging station.
- The cost of a solar panel system can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, but it can be offset over time by the savings on your energy bill and government incentives.
- Public solar charging stations are increasing in availability as the demand for clean energy solutions grows.
- Charging your car with solar energy can reduce your carbon footprint, save money on energy bills, increase energy independence, and provide increased convenience.
Charge Your Electric Vehicle with the Sun!
In order to charge your electric car, you just need a regular 120-volt outlet. This may get the job done if you're really pressed for time, but it's not really productive. A 120-volt outlet will only provide a modest boost of 4 mph and will take anywhere from 8-16 hours to completely charge.
It is recommended that a Level 2 EV charger be installed at the residence. The most popular form of charger can increase a completely electric vehicle's range by 20-30 miles and fully recharge it in 6-8 hours, while a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle's range may be increased in roughly an hour (PHEV).
How Can You Charge Your Car with Solar Energy?
There are two ways of charging your electric car with solar energy: by using a solar panel charging system at home or by using a public solar charging station.
Home Charging
Pairing residential solar panels with an electric vehicle can increase financial savings. When compared to the cost of maintaining a gas-powered vehicle over the course of a year, an electric vehicle's battery may be recharged using the electricity provided by a solar system in a matter of hours. If your rooftop solar system is large enough to cover EV charging and other key demands, you won't have any trouble producing enough electricity to meet your daily needs.
One of the greatest advantages of incorporating solar panels into one's house and purchasing an electric vehicle is the additional reduction in carbon emissions. The switch from a gas-powered internal combustion engine to an electric motor in an automobile is a big step forward. It's likely that you're still using fossil fuels if you're charging your EV at a standard outlet. Using solar energy to charge your electric vehicles reduces your reliance on fossil fuels and your overall impact on the environment.
If you have a solar panel system installed at home, you can use the energy it produces to charge your electric car. This involves connecting your car’s charging cable to a solar-powered charging station in your garage or driveway. The solar panels will convert the sunlight into electricity, which will then be used to charge your car’s battery.
To charge your car with solar energy at home, you will need to have a solar panel system installed and a charging station. The cost of a solar panel system can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and type of system you choose. However, the cost of the system can be offset over time by the savings on your energy bill. Additionally, many local and national governments offer rebates and tax credits to encourage people to switch to solar energy.
Public Charging Stations
Another option for charging your electric vehicle with solar energy is by using public solar charging stations. These are charging stations that are powered by solar panels and are located in public areas, such as shopping centers, parks, and highways. To use a public solar charging station, simply park your car in the designated area, connect the charging cable, and wait for your battery to charge.
This Modular Off-Grid Solar EV Charger can be Installed in just Four Hours
While public solar charging stations are less common than traditional electric charging stations, their numbers are increasing as the demand for clean energy solutions grows. If you are interested in using a public solar charging station, you can check for the availability of solar charging stations in your area by using a charging station locator website or app.