Why Combining Your Electric Vehicle with Solar Panels Is the Move?
By: Eric Huesca, SEO Content Writer
November 15, 2022
Over the past few years, the number of electric cars has grown dramatically. New electric cars are becoming more affordable and appealing to new consumers due to their reduced fuel consumption and eco-friendly nature.
It is a reasonable option that you may consider installing a solar panel in your home if you plan to purchase a new electric car or are currently the owner of an EV. Because of this, installing a charging station alongside a solar panel installation is an excellent option for people who own both EVs and solar panels.
solar panel on 2 story home
New electric cars require a plug-in outlet to charge and are powered by electricity rather than conventional gasoline-based fuels. The expense of recharging electric vehicles might be significant for conventionally powered houses, but solar panel owners can avoid this! These solar panels may recharge your car to keep things running for a substantially cheaper monthly cost, resulting in significant annual savings.
History of Electric Vehicles
A chain of technologies developed in the 1800s, starting with the battery and ending with the electric motor, made it possible for the first electric car to enter the trail.
First Electric Vehicle
The first electric vehicle was created in 1828 by Anyos István Jedlik, a Hungarian physicist and engineer known as the “Father of the Electric Motor,” who developed an early version of the first electric car that ran on a DC Current motor.
Integration of Batteries
The lead-acid battery, created in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté, was the first type of rechargeable battery that offered a practical way to store power within a moving vehicle.
Another French scientist, Camille Alphonse Faure, dramatically improved the battery’s design in 1881; his innovations significantly strengthened the role of such batteries and directly influenced the commercialization of their production.
The Starting Phases
Ferdinand Porsche, a founder of the sports car company, produced an electric vehicle called the “P1” in 1898. In1906, Mercedes-Benz sold an electric vehicle under the name Mercedes Mixte.
21st Century Advancements
The world was made aware of the potential of the technology through the industry’s ups and downs in the second half of the 20th century. But the actual resurgence of the electric car occurred early in the 21st.
• In 2003, Tesla announced the production of a new electric car Tesla Roadster. The Tesla Roadster was the inaugural all-electric vehicle to drive more than 320 kilometers on a single charge and the first all-electric vehicle to employ lithium-ion battery cells for highway use.
• Nissan’s LEAF electric vehicle model was unveiled in 2011. The Leaf was a five-door, battery-operated electric hatchback with a single drive-through full charge providing a range of up to 100 miles; Now automobile industry is coming toward solar panel-integrated batteries.
• The Lightyear 0, a sedan covered in 5 square meters of curved solar panels, has been manufactured by the Dutch organization Light Year and is marketed as the “world’s first production-ready solar car.” The solar panels recharge the electric battery when the car is parked or driven.
• A Germany-based startup company has launched a solar panel-integrated car called Sion, which charges itself when parked directly under the sun.
That all being said, are electric cars worth your investment? Let’s discuss this in detail;
Pros and cons of Electric vehicles
From the attention-grabbing stunts of Tesla to the gasoline classics of Volkswagen, Nissan, and even Ford, the majority of mainstream automakers are now competing for the leading position in the EV market for the development of the best electric cars in 2022.
The fact that electric automobiles offer a greener and more effective option to gasoline-powered cars makes them relevant. They have a reputation for improving air quality and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, which reduces global warming.
Moreover, you should find out if the current homeowner even owns the solar panels as they might have taken out a loan to pay for the system or used a lease or power purchase equipment which would mean that the solar company would own them. Hence, you will have to learn more about solar panels to determine if you would benefit from purchasing a property that already has solar panels.
Pros of Electric Vehicles
Here are some of the pros of owning new electric vehicles;
More Efficient
Compared to gasoline-powered cars, EVs are significantly more efficient. 59 to 62 percent of the energy stored in AEV batteries is converted into vehicle performance.
Compared to this, only 17–21% of gas or fuel-powered vehicles convert. This indicates that refueling at a gas station has a lower impact on the actual powering of an AEV than charging the battery.
Environment Friendly
Electric vehicles produce neither greenhouse gases nor CO2, making them far more environmentally efficient than conventional vehicles.
Using renewable energy sources like a solar panels to charge your electric vehicles ensures no CO2 is released. So, investing in new electric cars along with solar panels can help in
sustainable development
.
Advanced Technology
There are no gears in new electric cars. From the driver’s seat, all you need to do is control a few pedals or buttons. Gearless technology gives you the option to modify the speed of your vehicle.
The front of the car has extra room because of no gear. Additionally, the rear section of the interior has a flat surface, allowing middle-seat passengers to enjoy their ride to the fullest.
Cons of Electric Vehicles
Here are some of the cons of electric vehicles;
Higher Initial Cost
Although initially, the cost of an electric vehicle (EV) is comparatively higher. Cheapest electric car range between $50,000 to $100,000. Over time you can save cash by owning one because they typically require less maintenance and cost less to recharge than gasoline and fuel cars.
Lesser Range
EVs have a lesser range than diesel or gasoline vehicles. According to the model and capacity of your electric car, the range can vary from 100 to 400 miles. Long-distance traveling can be challenging, given the reduced driving range.
Time Consuming Recharge
An electric automobile needs at least 4-6 hours to fully charge instead of a few minutes to fill the car with fuel. We can optimize our experience with EVs by incorporating solar panel technology into them. Let’s get into this;
What are Solar Panels?
Electric vehicle charging using solar energy is a relatively new idea. In general, solar energy has now become much more popular in recent years. Photovoltaic (PV) cells, the components of solar panels, transform light energy into electricity.
Advantages of Solar Panels
An investment in solar energy can benefit you as a new electric car owner in various economic and environmental ways. Below are some of the advantages of the solar panel system.
Environmental Compatibility
Carbon footprints will be reduced thanks to solar panels, one of their significant environmental advantages. While electricity purchased from the grid is sourced from various sources, primarily fossil fuels, solar panels create clean, environmentally friendly energy.
Low Operation Cost
The cost of running a solar panel is really low after installation. You don’t have to spend extra money on it.
Disadvantages of Solar Panels
Some of the disadvantages of the solar panel include:
Weather Dependency
The amount and intensity of the sunlight beam significantly impact the production of solar panels. The electricity your system produces might be influenced by other external conditions like snow and clouds.
Smart Energy Combination
Despite being a wise choice for the majority, purchasing and charging a new electric car can require a significant initial payment. Fortunately, because of measures taken by the federal, state, and municipal governments, that cost can be decreased through discounts, tax exemptions, and reimbursements.
Solar panels can power an electric car and all your home appliances, and solar panels are similar to batteries in this regard. You can utilize a tiny solar panel system with just ten panels to generate enough energy to recharge the battery in your car.
A solar panel installation can produce enough energy to charge an electric car’s battery. You can continue if your generator and solar panel are suitable sizes. Ensure the solar panel and engine have a combined output of at least 10,000 watts to charge your vehicle.
Types of Electric Charging Batteries
Without a solar battery, a solar PV system will still produce energy during the day, but any extra renewable energy will be transferred back into the grid. When the sun sets, you can use this extra energy generated to power a solar battery to charge an electric vehicle.
There are three charging categories.
To know how long it may take to charge an electric car, you must know about different chargers.
Level 1 Charger
It is portable, which means plugging a Level 1 charger allows you to use it anywhere. They charge at a rate of four miles per hour. An electric automobile with a 45-mile range must be charged for almost 10 hours.
Level 2 Charger
The vehicles are connected to a 240-volt power source. Up to 20 miles can be traveled per hour of charging. A level 2 home charger will improve things even more by allowing you to charge your EV more quickly. Since Level 2 chargers need a more intricate electrical setup than Level 1, you need an electrician to finish the job.q
The Solar Move
Installing enough solar panels to power your house and charge your new electric cars will save you massive cash over time. You will continue to save money for a very long time because solar panels have assurances to generate electricity for a minimum of 25 years.
It is well-known that using grid power is far more expensive than using the solar power your home generates through its solar energy system. Calculating how much energy can be saved by having solar power with an electric car is straightforward.
What are the Charging methods for New Electric Cars?
Two charging methods are available to new electric cars owner:
Home Charging
Your battery will last longer if you use a home charging station that you can customize and set to charge at the manufacturer’s suggested rate and the ideal amount. To maximize the life of your battery, manufacturers also advise sticking to a 20-80%
Home Charging
You can plug your electric vehicle into public charging stations when you’re traveling by car. Although some public charging stations for electric cars may be free, most charge by the number of kWh your car’s battery receives a charge or by the amount of time it takes.
Bottom Line
Choosing an electric vehicle is just a logical move. Even in the most expensive power markets, charging an EV is less costly than purchasing gas for an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. In addition, the cost of maintenance for electric automobiles is around 25% lower than that of ICE cars. Finally, EVs don’t contaminate the environment since they don’t burn fossil fuels. Solgen Power can help you with an installment of solar panels.
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Solgen Power is a solar energy contractor that sells and installs solar for homeowners. Solgen Power has been recognized by INC. 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Solgen Power has grown nationwide and continues to provide excellent customer service to homeowners.
