How You Can Charge Your EV for Free with Solar Energy
The use of electric vehicles happens to be a giant step in the introduction to greener living. Electric cars like the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID 4 and the Tesla Model 3 do not emit harmful greenhouse gases that mess up the ecosystem. They also have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance than their fossil fuel counterparts.
However, the distress that comes with using EVs happens when it is time to power them up – especially for the average Irish resident. Charging an EV places such a huge toll on your electricity. And given the recent power shortage alerts announced by SEMO, you may be wondering how on earth you’re supposed to keep your EV running without exhausting your savings on electricity bills.
Solar is the answer.
You can charge your EV for free by using solar. The upfront costs of installing a solar panels in your home may seem like a lot at first, but in the long run, it will not only charge your EV for years at no extra cost, but it will also shave thousands of euros off your annual electricity rates.
So, how do you charge your EV with solar energy?
First and foremost, you need to estimate how much solar power output you’ll need to cover your EV’s power demands. If you also intend to boost your domestic power supply with solar, then you need to fit this in your estimate as well.
Solar Panels
Assuming your EV runs 3.5 miles per kWh and at an average power of 280 watt-hours per mile. If your yearly distance is 16,000 miles, then the total power estimate you’ll need to run your car in one year would be 4,571 kWh. Add an extra 2,000kwh for your domestic power needs, and that would be 6,571kwh for an entire year. In Ireland, the average daylight hours are around 8 hours. So, for every hour, you’ll need a solar system that can produce 2.25kwh.
Most of the panels you find in the Irish market will produce an output of about 250 watts. The estimated number of solar panels you need to meet your power demand of 2.25kwh is about nine panels.
Inverters and Batteries
Don’t forget you’ll also need an inverter system, although this usually comes with the panels, but it’s best to choose one where you can accurately monitor your electricity usage. And if you want to be able to charge at night or when there is little or no irradiation, you’ll need to store up some of this renewable energy using batteries. Batteries are now becoming widely available due to their drops in prices over the years and many Irish customers are now taking advantage of these so that they can continue to charge their EV during the night time.
You’ll Need an EV Charger Unit.
As soon as you figure out the cost of acquiring a solar PV system, you’ll need to get yourself an EV home charger. Getting a charger means you’ll have to install a charging unit in your home, and this can cost between €1,600 and €3,000 depending on what charger you choose. However, you can apply for the SEAI EV charger grant to cut down costs.
Use Certified Experts
Don’t forget to check prices with more than one certified solar unit installer. This is so that you get the best prices out there. And for your safety, your electrician must be certified by Safe Ireland, as there are specific power requirements that you must check before a charging unit can be installed in your home.