The main selling point of electric vehicles is how they can help save the environment. This is actually true given that diesel-powered cars have been acknowledged as among those that contribute greatly to the continued degradation of the planet.
However, electric vehicles often require extra care because of their unique designs. Since they rely on electricity for power instead of gasoline, EV owners may come to think of them as an additional expense rather than a potential investment.
Fortunately, solar panels are becoming popular alternatives when it comes to charging your electric car. They are undoubtedly a lot cheaper than both gasoline and electricity. More importantly, the use of solar panels will help reduce your carbon footprint and can serve as your contribution in the ongoing efforts to preserve Mother Earth.
Can Solar Panels Power an Electric Car?
The answer is yes. For years, solar panels have been powering homes and buildings, and providing an affordable source of electricity to all. These can also be used to charge electric cars.
The good news is that the cost of solar energy has become more affordable in recent years. This has allowed more homeowners to install their own solar PV system, providing them a cheaper and cleaner energy source. This alternative power supply is also suitable for charging an EV if you have plans of purchasing one in the next few years.
How Do Solar Panels Charge an Electric Vehicle?
To begin with, the power generated by solar panels cannot be stored in the standard solar battery, especially if you intend to use this for your electric car. Instead, the panels will need to be connected to the battery of your EV for charging to take place. There’s no need to worry, though, as solar energy can efficiently power electric car batteries.
Apart from this, there are several other factors that will come into play for solar energy to effectively power your electric vehicle. These include the number of solar panels needed, panel efficiency, hardware type, the electric car model, and the battery size of your EV.
In any case, if you want to have the best results for charging your electric car through solar panels the following has to be considered:
1.Inverter
Inverters are used to produce and distribute electricity from solar panels.These are available in various types, but the string inverter is the most popular. This allows you to connect multiple solar panels together and then distribute the power to one inverter.
Solar panels normally come with an inverter capable of handling the required energy that will power several household appliances. If you plan to charge your EV’s batteries with an inverter, it is recommended that you get one that has a greater capacity. This way, it can efficiently charge your existing panels and those that you might need to add for your electric car.
2.Micro-inverters
Ideally, each solar panel must have its own inverter, but micro-inverters can check this for you. If there’s only one or two inverters, a micro-inverter should be installed since it will allow you to easily add more solar panels. This will then determine if the extra panels will be sufficient to handle the additional electricity needed to power your electric vehicle.
3.Secondary Solar Energy Source
For more solar power, you can add a second set of panels on your roof if there’s enough space. This option has been proven to be an effective way of powering your electric car and all other home appliances. Purchasing additional panels may initially appear to be too costly, but you’ll eventually discover that this can actually help you save significant money in the long run.
4.A Bigger Solar Energy System
This option should be set as part of a larger plan in the future. There’s always a chance that electricity prices will increase at some point. On the other hand, the cost of a standard home solar panel remains consistent in many states and has a strong possibility of becoming cheaper in the next few years.
Given this, it is crucial that you consider the idea of expanding your existing solar energy arrangement and make way for a larger system. This is something you can always discuss with your solar panel installer, especially if there are discount offerings that you can avail of.
Key Takeaway
There are many things you need to consider when using solar panels to charge your electric car. Apart from the basic requirements, there are a few other equipment like inverters and micro-inverters that you’ll also need to get the best charging results. Thus, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead if you are thinking of buying an electric vehicle within the next few months or years.
Northwest Collision Center, a top auto body shop in St Petersburg Fl, can help you to effectively maintain your electric vehicle. They also offer a host of professional car services that includes auto painting, auto detailing, and auto restoration.
