Charging Your EV With Solar Panels

Solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are helping EV owners save money and decrease their carbon footprints. These charging stations use solar panels to collect energy from the sun and charge electric vehicles. At EmPower Solar, we can include a solar EV charger in your solar energy system installation to help you access the full potential of your solar system. Here’s all you need to know about charging your EV with solar panels:

How Charging Your EV With Solar Works

Electric vehicles are powered by rechargeable batteries. You can charge an EV battery using a standard wall outlet or dedicated charging station. Solar-powered EV charging stations work similarly to traditional charging stations, except they use solar energy instead of electricity from the grid. The solar panels collect sunlight and convert it into electricity.

With a solar EV charger, you can send this electricity directly to your electric vehicle’s battery, allowing it to charge. This enables you to charge your EV using clean and renewable energy, reducing your reliance on fossil fuels. Our solar experts at EmPower Solar can help you pair your solar panels with the right EV charging station for your energy needs.

Benefits of Solar EV Charging Stations

Using a solar EV charging station has many benefits for the environment and your finances. If you already have a solar system, adding an EV charger can help you save more on your electricity bills. Using the sun’s energy to charge your vehicle allows you to cut the costs of purchasing electricity from the grid. Being less reliant on the grid for your electricity needs is useful during power outages or emergencies when traditional charging stations are unavailable. 

Using solar energy to power your EV can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. This is because solar energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants that contribute to climate change. A solar charger helps EV owners combat air pollution, reducing the effects of global warming.

The Solar EV Charger Installation Process

EmPower Solar’s experts can help you select and install a suitable EV charging station for your home or business. Our process begins with a site visit to assess your solar energy needs and determine the best location for your charger. We will then obtain the necessary permits to make your installation compliant with local regulations. Once the paperwork is ready, we can schedule the installation work at a convenient time for you. We’ll test the system once the installation is complete to verify everything is working correctly. Our team will also give instructions on how to use and maintain your new solar EV charger.

What To Expect From Your Solar EV Charging Station

The performance of your charging station will depend on the EV charger type. The AC level 1 charger adds around four miles of driving range for every hour of charging. A full charge takes around 8-16 hours with this charger. The AC level 2 provides 20-30 miles per hour of charging, with a full charge taking approximately 6-8 hours. Level 3 chargers, also known as DC fast chargers, can add 40-50+ miles of range in an hour, depending on the charge unit’s kilowatt power. V3 Superchargers can charge an EV up to 75 miles in as little as five minutes. These are limited to Tesla vehicles. Knowing what you can expect from your solar EV charger can help you plan your charging schedule and maximize your solar energy system.

Consider Solar EV Charging

At EmPower Solar, we help individuals and businesses embrace clean energy solutions. By pairing your solar panels with an EV charger, you’ll be positively impacting the environment while enjoying cost savings and energy independence. Our experts can work with you to design a custom solar panel system that includes a solar EV charger to meet your needs. Contact us today to discuss your solar EV charging needs and get an estimate.