Pairing electric vehicles with solar panels allow you to charge your car with free, clean energy from the sun and never have to pay for gasoline again. Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy, which can then be stored in a battery pack or immediately used to charge your vehicle’s battery directly. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about pairing solar panels with an electric vehicle and get started today!
Why is it better to Charge EVs with Solar?
Electric vehicles, like any other battery-operated device, can be charged by powering them directly from a power outlet. But what’s better than charging from a local utility? Charging from free sunlight! Solar panels are a great way to keep your EV powered without spending money on electricity. Solar is also a renewable energy source that will never run out, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of juice for your EV again.
What are the Steps to Charge your EV with Solar Power?
You may want to pair your EV with solar panels so that you can charge your EV from home. But how do you go about it? Here are some steps you need to take in order to set up a system that allows you to charge your EV with solar power.
1) Determine the amount of power you need to charge your EV
The first step is determining how much power you need to charge your EV on a daily basis. This will vary based on several factors, including what type of vehicle you have and whether or not it’s used for commuting or just occasional use. You can figure out how much power (kWh) you use in a day by taking note of how many miles you drive per day.
2) Selection of Solar Panels
Depending on your electric vehicle and how often you’ll drive it, you’ll need different solar panels. If you have a small electric car that you only use for short trips, then a smaller set of solar panels will be fine. However, if you own an SUV or van that is used for long-distance travel, then you might want to consider buying more powerful solar panels. Your Solar panels should meet the required kWh (kilowatt-hours) needed per day.
3) Buying Solar Equipment and EVSE
Now there is time to buy Solar panels as per the power requirements. The most common way of charging an electric vehicle is by plugging it into a wall outlet. The second most common way is using a special EVSE that you connect your car to instead of directly into a wall. These are typically installed in garages or parking spaces and can be quite expensive.
EVSE is the acronym for electric vehicle supply equipment. It’s what you plug your car into when you want to charge it, and there are two types: hard-wired and plug-in. The former is permanently installed at a location, while the latter can be moved from place to place as needed.
4) Connecting everything to the charging station
Now you have to connect your EV charger (Level 1 or Level 2) to a solar panel array. The panels will charge a battery that in turn powers your EV’s charging station. The process is similar for both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers, but there are some differences in how you set them up and maintain them.
We can say that pairing your electric vehicle with solar panels is a great idea. Not only will you be saving money on electricity, but you’ll also be doing something good for our environment. You don’t need to rely on grid power anymore!
