Are you wondering if a home EV charger with solar integration is right for you? If you are tired of relying on public charging stations and curious if a home EV charger is the right solution, our guide will help you make an informed decision.
We’ll cover the benefits of home EV charging integrated with solar, how many solar panels you need for EV charging, considerations for solar EV charging, and more about home EV charging in Australia.
Quick Summary:
- A home EV charger integrated with a solar system is an effective, money-saving, convenient way to charge your EV right at home
- The number of solar panels you’ll need for a home EV charging station depends on your EV make and model, driving habits, household energy consumption, local climate, and future plans (i.e. solar system expansion)
- The amount of time it takes to charge your EV at home with solar depends on the EV’s specifications and the output capacity of your solar system
- Home EV charging stations integrated with solar systems can save money, benefit the environment, and decrease your reliance on public EV charging stations
- When researching a home EV charging station with solar integration, consider initial installation costs, maintenance costs, and driving habits
Can You Charge Your EV with Home Solar Panels?
Yes, solar panels are a great way to charge your EV at home. If you want to charge your EV at home during the day, an EV charger integrated with home solar panels is an ideal solution.
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How Does EV Solar Charging Work?
The photovoltaic (PV) panels soak up the rays from the sun and turn that sunlight into energy. However, this form of energy isn’t usable in your household. The energy produced from the sunlight needs to be sent to the solar system’s inverter.
Here, the inverter converts the energy into a usable form, AC electricity (alternative current electricity). This AC electricity can now be used to power electrical devices and appliances in your home.
Charging your EV with solar power is simple and draws energy from your residential solar system similar to electrical appliances and devices.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?
The amount of solar panels you’ll need for home EV charging depends on a range of factors.
Generally, a fairly small solar system (5kW) and a Level 1 charger may be enough for home EV charging.
However, smaller solar systems may take longer to charge your EV or struggle to generate enough energy during cloudy weather.
Here are some factors that will affect how many solar panels you’ll need to charge your EV:
- Size of the Solar System — Higher-wattage solar systems will generate more power compared to lower-wattage systems. Average rooftop solar systems range from 5kW to 15kW.
- Driving Habits – Consider how long your daily commute is, how often you go on road trips, and the average daily distance you travel.
- Local Weather — Consider how much sunlight your location receives on average.
- Average Household Energy Consumption – Take a look at the last 3 or 4 months of electric bills to get an idea of your average household energy consumption.
- The EV — What is the make, model, EV battery level of your vehicle, and how many kWh are required for charging it, the make/model of an EV and its specifications.
- Future Plans — Do you plan to add more EVs or home battery storage in the future?
How Long Does It Take to Charge with Solar?
The overall charging speed will depend on your EV’s specifications and your solar system’s output capacity. Many EVs are limited to 11kW when AC charging.
A dedicated single-phase AC charger will provide a maximum speed of 7kWh. Three-phase AC chargers can charge at a speed up to 22kW.
Using solar power to recharge your EV will take longer than a dedicated single phase AC charger.
If you need to charge your EV fast using solar, we recommend a smart charger like the Evnex E2 Smart Charger and an appropriately sized residential solar system.
Benefits of EV Charging and Home Solar Integration
Here are some of the benefits of investing in an EV Charging system with home solar integration:
- Cost-savings due to decreased electricity bills and the ability to charge your EV at home rather than paying for public charging stations
- Convenience of charging your EV right at home
- Generate clean, renewable energy
- Decrease your reliance on public EV charging stations
- Lower your environmental impact
- More predictable energy costs
Costs and Considerations for Home Solar Charging
- Solar Installation Costs — For home EV charging, you’ll need to factor in the cost of installing an appropriately sized residential solar system that is integrated with your EV charger. If you already have a solar system, you may need to add additional panels to accommodate your EV charging needs.
- Driving Habits — To benefit from a home EV charging station integrated with your solar system, you’ll need to be home during the day to charge your EV with solar energy.
- Maintenance Costs — Residential solar systems need regular cleaning and maintenance, along with professional inspections. Be sure to take these maintenance costs into account when planning for home EV charging with solar.
- Battery Storage — Adding battery storage to your residential solar system costs more initially but can save you money over time. Battery storage allows EV owners to store excess energy so they can still use their solar system to charge their electric vehicles at night or on cloudy days.
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Interested in a Home EV Charger with Solar Integration?
Rooftop solar integrated with home EV charger is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and cut your energy bills.
If you are interested in a cost-effective, convenient, eco-friendly way to charge your EV at home, ask us about Home EV Charger Installation integrated with solar energy.
We install home EV chargers with solar integration so Perth homeowners can take advantage of the sun’s ample supply of clean, renewable energy. Charge your EV from home in the cheapest way possible with solar integration. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.
