Adding solar panels to your home can provide you with a source of clean electricity and save you money. But did you know there are even more potential benefits to investing in solar?
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your environmental footprint, you can use solar panels to charge electric cars with solar power created from your own rooftop system.
Read on to learn how the savings can easily stack up when you charge electric cars with solar panels.
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Benefits of Pairing Solar Power and Your EV
In addition to the environmental benefits of charging your electric car with clean, renewable electricity, using solar power for electric car charging is a great way to maximize your financial savings.
Not only can solar panels charge an electric car, but by using this method, you can fully charge in a matter of hours and save $1,000 a year or more compared to the cost of filling up a traditional car with gas. You can also reduce your carbon footprint by limiting the carbon emissions caused by power from the grid, which often comes from nonrenewable sources, like coal and natural gas.
Related: Examine the differences between gas vs. electric cars.
When you use solar power to charge electric cars, you become significantly less dependent on fossil fuels and enjoy the savings that generating your own clean electricity provides.
Comparing EV Charging with Solar to Other Charging Methods
Charging your electric car with solar panels is by far the most affordable way to charge your vehicle’s battery—and the most environmentally friendly. Plus, any additional solar that your panels generate can be sent back to the grid and further offset your monthly electricity costs.
In contrast, the cost to charge an electric car with a standard at-home charging station, which uses power from the grid, can be a bit more expensive. This cost varies widely depending on location and time of day, and you will likely have to deal with unexpected cost increases over time.
Public charging stations are the most expensive option with unpredictable and widely varying prices, additional fees, and the inconvenience of having to use a public charging port. When you charge your electric car with solar panels, the cost can be as much as 80% less than using a public charging station, and you can easily charge your vehicle overnight while you sleep.
How to Charge Your EV With Solar Energy
If you already have solar panels, you will need to install an at-home charging port for your electric vehicle. A standard charging station allows you to charge your car’s battery with power from the grid, which is the second most cost-effective method after solar panels to charge electric cars.
A solar installer can calculate how many solar panels you will need to add to your system to charge your EV and offset your electricity use. The exact number of panels required will depend on several factors, including the size of your vehicle’s battery, the amount of sun exposure, and the type of solar panels you use.
To use a solar panel to charge electric cars, you need to convert that solar power from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) electricity. You can do this by connecting your solar power system and charging port to a solar inverter, which will then send the converted electricity to your EV’s battery.
A professional solar installer can assist you with this entire process, from calculating the number of panels you need to adding the solar inverter to your charging port.
Here’s a quick list of the steps you will need to take to be able to charge your electric car with solar panels:
- Determine how many kWh you need each day to keep your vehicle fully charged.
- Calculate the number of solar panels you’ll need to charge your EV.
- Purchase and install the necessary equipment to charge your vehicle with solar panels.
- Start charging at home and enjoy the savings!
Related: Learn all about how solar panels work.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV with Solar Panels?
Installing an at-home charging station for your electric car can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500, depending on how much labor is required and whether your home needs any electrical upgrades. While this is a significant cost upfront, you can recoup that money relatively quickly.
Charging your EV at public stations can add up and is inconvenient. With an at-home charging port connected to your solar panels, you can fully charge your vehicle at your convenience and with no additional cost because you’re generating your own clean electricity.
Even better, electric vehicle charging plans with Gexa Energy enable you to take advantage of lower-cost electricity outside of peak hours, like during the night, further reducing your electricity charges.
Are Solar Panels Worth the Investment?
If you don’t already have a solar electricity system installed on your home, you may find the initial cost a little daunting. Adding solar panels to your home can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000, depending on the size of your property and location.
Fortunately, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act increased the federal solar tax credit to 30% for the next 10 years, making this a fantastic time to install solar and reduce the costs, as well as invest in a new or used electric vehicle. While it takes several years to recoup your initial solar investment, the savings and decreased carbon footprint clearly make solar panels worth it.
Gexa Energy solar plans for residences are cost-effective and 100% green. Join Gexa Energy today as we work to build a cleaner future for the planet, and learn all about making the switch to solar power.
