With more and more people purchasing electric vehicles and installing solar panels, one question is raised. Can you charge your EV with solar panels? The short answer is: Yes. It's a great way to reduce your carbon footprint but also save money in the long run. In this article, we'll help you to find out more about charging an electric car using solar power.
How does solar panel EV charging work?
If you have already invested in a solar PV system or a solar battery storage system, you can charge your car with a solar-compatible EV charger.
It's really convenient to charge your EV directly from the solar panel system when the sun's out. But for most people, they will need to charge their EVs overnight, which means a solar battery system is needed. The battery can store the energy the solar panels generate throughout the day.
The amount of power generated depends on the available light and sunshine, but also on the number of panels you install. The amount of charging you need depends on how often you use your car, the model you have, how much sun the panels have received, and the way you drive. Usually, 8-12 panels are enough to charge an average-sized car battery.
Benifits of solar panel charging
Here are some of the benifits of solar panel charging:
- Eco-friendly
Charging your electric car with solar energy means you’re generating cleaner and renewable energy. This is better for the environment and can help to maximize the environmental benefits of driving an electric car.
- Saving money
Switching to solar power means you’ll effectively be charging for free. You’ll have the start-up costs of getting the kit fitted, but you could save money on your EV charging costs in the long run.
