Can Solar Panels Charge an Electric Car or EV?

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Solar energy and electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular in the push for more sustainable living and the battle against climate change. 

Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy; EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions. Both can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. However, connecting EVs to solar charging systems can be a challenge. 

Many electric cars still run on fossil fuels, albeit indirectly. In 2021, 60% of U.S. electricity produced was from gas and coal. Only 20% came from renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydro. That means charging an EV at a conventional charging station doesn’t completely eliminate fossil-fuel consumption. 

However, electric vehicle drivers can lower their carbon footprint by providing at least some of their EV’s electricity requirements with solar power systems. 

Solar panels can generate enough power to meet a household’s energy needs, but charging an EV can require significantly more electricity. It’s possible, but you must consider numerous factors before successfully charging your EV with solar panels. 

Can You Charge Your Electric Car With Solar Energy?

Yes, it’s possible to charge an electric car with solar energy. Indeed, using solar power to charge an electric car is the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way to power an electric vehicle.

To charge your EV using solar power at home, you’ll need to install a solar panel array and balance of system with sufficient electricity generation capacity. 

Do You Need an EV Charging Station?

You don’t necessarily need an EV charging station to charge your electric car, but it can be more efficient if you have one installed. Several types of charging stations are available, including Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3:

  • Level 1 charging stations use a standard 120-volt household electricity outlet. All EVs have a standard plug-in that fits a wall outlet, but it can take hours to charge a car fully. 
  • Level 2 charging stations use a 240-volt outlet and can charge a car more quickly. However, this will require installing additional wiring and components in most cases.
  • Level 3 DC fast charging stations can charge a car in as little as 30 minutes. However, they require a 480-volt connection. They’re expensive to purchase and install — and rarely used in homes.

If you have a solar power system and a compatible charging station, you can use the electricity generated by your solar panels to recharge your EV. 

EcoFlow DELTA Pro Power Station - EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station

Can You Charge Your Electric Car With Portable Solar Panels?

Yes, and no. The type of solar panel, whether portable or fixed, doesn’t affect charging capability. If the PV panels provide sufficient power, you can use portable solar panels to generate electricity to charge an EV. 

It’s crucial to note that you can’t plug the EV or charging station into the panels directly. You’d need to connect the car to a portable power station like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro or another balance of system, which you can recharge using 400W portable solar panels.

A portable power station converts and stores energy from solar panels, letting you take advantage of free, renewable energy. Portable power stations also recharge via other methods, including AC charging, a standard car adaptor, or a smart generator. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro is also the first portable power station to support charging from EV charging stations. 

You can recharge the EcoFlow DELTA Pro whenever you recharge your EV at a charging station and keep it in the trunk as a backup power source, similar to a gas can. If you recharge at an EV station, you can charge your vehicle and the EcoFlow DELTA Pro simultaneously. 

If you invest in a solar panel and portable power station (PPS), consider crucial factors like how much electricity the PPS can output and store. For example, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro has a 3600W AC power output capacity and 3.6kWh of storage. 

You can combine two EcoFlow DELTA Pros using a double voltage hub to expand the output capacity to 7200W and 7.2kWh of storage. You can buy additional Smart Batteries to increase your storage capacity up to 25 kWh.

Determine the amount of electricity your EV requires to charge — and how much electricity you plan to consume on the road. The maxed-out EcoFlow DELTA Pro setup described above offers 3200W of solar charging capacity, meaning you could connect up to eight 400W solar panels to keep your system charged. 

Remember that environmental factors — particularly the amount of peak sunlight hours your panels receive — play a crucial role in how much electricity your panels can generate in real-world conditions. Rated power is not guaranteed — it’s the maximum amount of electricity a solar panel can generate in an hour under ideal conditions.  

How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Charge an Electric Car?

The number of solar panels needed to charge an electric car depends on the rated power of the solar panels, environmental factors such as peak sun hours received, the power consumption requirements of the EV, and the storage capacity of the portable power station and electric car battery. Here’s an example.

The Tesla Model 3 from its Standard Range has a combined fuel economy rating of 26 kWh/100 miles. It uses 26 kWh of electricity to drive 100 miles or .26 kWh / mile. If you drive 25 miles daily, you’d need 6.5kWh of electricity to recharge it daily (25 miles x .25 kWh m= 6.5kWh).

If your array consists of 400W Rigid Solar Panels, you could generate 1kW from each panel per day, assuming you get at least 2.5 hours of direct sunshine. You’d require approximately seven 400W panels to generate 6.5kWh of energy (6.5kWh / 1 kWh solar panel output = 6.5 solar panels). 

Car - Tesla

Costs and Savings Associated With EV Solar Charging

How Much Does It Cost To Charge an Electric Vehicle Using Solar?

Outside of the initial investment costs in a solar energy system, there is no cost to charge an electric vehicle at home using solar. Every time you plug your EV into a fully solar-powered outlet, it recharges using electricity at no cost.

Even if you supplement your solar power system’s output with on-grid electricity, the cost is minimal compared to gas prices. The average price of electricity in the U.S. is 11.1 cents per kWh. At that rate, recharging a 40 kWh battery at home would cost you around $4.44 (0.111 cents per kWh x 40 kWh = 4.44). Gas-powered cars often cost up to $100 to fill up in 2023.

Public charging station rates vary. Charging might be free, subscription-based, or pay-by-the-kWh, depending on location and car brand. In California, drivers pay between 30 and 40 cents per kWh to use a public charger. It would cost a driver $12-$16 to fully charge a 40 kWh battery (.3 cents per kWh x 40 kWh = $12).

How Much Can I Save With Solar Charging?

On average, solar panels save $6-$7 per charge. Once you have an off-grid solar panel system installed, charging an EV would cost $0. Any previous charging costs become pure savings.

Solar and EV Incentives

The federal government offers a solar tax credit for homeowners who install eligible solar panel systems on their property. This credit can offset up to 30% of the total cost of the solar panel system and installation.

In addition to the federal tax credit, many states, like California, offer incentives for homeowners who install solar panel systems. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, or performance-based incentives.

Net metering policies are available in many states and allow homeowners with solar panel systems to receive credits for any excess energy they generate and feed back into the grid. It can help reduce or eliminate electricity bills and make it more appealing for homeowners to switch to solar.

The federal government also offers an EV tax credit for new clean vehicles. The credit provides up to $7,500 for qualifying individuals and businesses. 

Many states offer incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, or special access to HOV lanes. 

A federal tax credit is available for businesses or individuals who install EV chargers. This credit equals 30% of the charging equipment and installation cost.

These are just a few solar and EV incentives available to American consumers. The availability and amount of these incentives can vary by state and may change over time, so you’ll want to research the specific incentives currently available in your area.

Audi Q8 e-tron - Charging station

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Would It Take To Charge an EV Using Solar Panels?

The charge time for an electric vehicle (EV) using solar panels depends on several factors, including the EV’s battery’s capacity, fuel economy, rated power and the number of solar panels, and hours of peak sunlight. As a general guideline, it may take several hours to several days to fully charge an EV using solar panels.

Car - Electric vehicle

So, Is Investing in Solar Charging for Your EV Worth It?

Solar charging for your EV can be a worthwhile investment — particularly when you factor in government incentives. If you live in a state that receives higher than average hours of peak sunlight — like Arizona — your investment can pay off even faster. 

Even if you only used your solar power system to charge your EV, you’d save money on charging costs over time. The savings multiply dramatically if you use solar panels to power your home.

EcoFlow is a leading manufacturer of solar solutions and a great place to start charging your EV with solar. 

Shop today for solar panels, power stations, and Power Kits to start harnessing the sun’s energy for your EV and home!

ECOFLOW
ECOFLOWhttps://www.ecoflow.com/
EcoFlow is a portable power and renewable energy solutions company. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow has provided peace-of-mind power to customers in over 85 markets through its DELTA and RIVER product lines of portable power stations and eco-friendly accessories.

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