Solar Charging System for Electric Cars

A vehicle that’s powered by solar energy generated at home may be the best option for anyone who wants to save money and save the environment. You’ve likely considered solar panels if you already have an electric vehicle, or are considering purchasing one. It will help you reduce your electric bill and use lesser fossil-fuels. What’s more exciting then charging the futuristic vehicle with the power from the sun?

This guide will teach you ways to power your electric vehicle with 100% solar energy. It will also show how long it takes.

What is an electric Vehicle?

A vehicle that is electric (EV) is any car, truck or SUV that uses an electric motor and the lithium battery to propulsion. It replaces internal combustion engines (ICE) that runs with fossil fuels. An electric motor is employed instead of internal combustion engines. Electric motors store energy in a battery and not in tanks of gasoline.

You can choose to use electric motors by themselves or pair them together with an internal combustion engine in order to make an hybrid vehicle. We will concentrate on 100% electric vehicles. They must be connected to an electrical outlet to charge.

What is the required energy to charge an electric car?

An EV’s battery rating represents the power of the batteries. This indicates how much energy it is able to store and how long it takes for it to charge fully. It is typically measured in kWh or Kilowatts. Below are the most common sizes of EV batteries.

Rivian R1T: 135 kWh, 105kWh, 180 kWh
Audi Etron 95 kWh
Tesla Model S – 100 Kilowatts
Tesla Model X – 100 kWh
Tesla Model Y – 75 kWh
Tesla Model 3 – 54kWh; 82.5kWh
Chevrolet Bolt EV 65 kWh
Nissan Leaf – 40kWh; 62kWh
Ford Mustang Mach E – 88.5 kWh, 68 kWh

How long will the electric vehicle charging take?

In answering the question “How long will an electric vehicle take to charge?” There are many factors to consider. The charge time of your electric vehicle will vary dependent on the model or model, the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the charger at home. It is also important to take into consideration the time it takes for the full charge to be completed.

AC electricity is utilized to charge two standard home charging options: Level 1 and 2 for home electric vehicle charging stations.

Level 1 charger is 120v and can be charged up to 1.9 Kilowatts. This means that they are able to add approximately 5 miles per hours to their reach. These 120v chargers can be connected to regular outlets as other devices.
Level 2 chargers can be charged at up to 19.2kW. This means that they can provide about 25 miles per hour more range. It’s a 240v charger and requires a specific outlet similar to those used for clothes dryers, ranges and other appliances that are large.

They can offer an option for fast charging at level 3 similar to Tesla Supercharger. Tesla Supercharger, which uses DC electricity. They can increase distance by more than 200 miles an hour. They are ideal for commercial purposes. This is because of the complexity of the charging technology and the amount of electricity required.

Examples of Electric Vehicle Charging Times

We have listed the charging ranges for the most popular electric cars to illustrate the common charging time. Based on the average car’s capacity, the info below shows the time is required to fully charge an electric vehicle from its empty state.

120v Level 1 Charger
Rivian R1TMaximum of 100 hours
Audi etron for Up to 50hrs
Tesla Model S – Maximum 53 Hours
Tesla Model X – up to 53 hours
Tesla Model Y – up to 40 hours
Tesla Model 3 – up to 44 hours
Ford Mustang Mach E – Maximum 47 Hours
Chevrolet Bolt Electric EV – Maximum of 35 hours
Nissan Leaf – up to 33 hours
240v Level 2 Charger
Rivian R1T - 5-10 hours
Audi etron – up to 5 hours
Tesla Model S – Tesla Model S can run at a maximum of 6 hours
Tesla Model X – up to 6 hours
Tesla Model Y – Maximum 4 Hours
Tesla Model 3 – 3 to 5″ hours
Ford Mustang Mach E – 3 to5 hours
Chevrolet Bolt EV – up to 4 hours
Nissan Leaf – 2-4 hours

The actual charging time for an electric vehicle in your home may vary based on many factors, including the charging conditions and the vehicle’s range. The time given for charging at Level 2 specifications is based on the power output that is maximum for Level 2 charging, however the actual output of the charger that came with the vehicle may be lower, which may reduce the speed of charging.

While charging times might appear long, it’s important to remember that EV owners don’t typically charge from a dead battery to fully charged ones. It’s more common that EV owners to charge their batteries in phases. An EV charger of Level 1, with the lower charge may be sufficient to charge your batteries for a night when you travel only some miles per day.

What number of solar panels will need to be charged to power an electric motor vehicle?

You should consider your driving habits to calculate the amount of solar panels needed to charge an electric car. The more you drive day, the less you will be in a position to charge your battery. It will also require more power to charge it once more. A majority of people replenish their battery just enough to get to work and some for running the errands.

The driving distance average was calculated from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration to be about 14,000 miles per year, which is about 40 miles per hour prior to the pandemic. This number will be used as an example.

Let’s look at the estimated fuel economy of our cars, using Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

Tesla Model 3 – 2.4kWh/10 mi
Tesla Model Y – 2.6 10 kWh/10 miles
Tesla Model S – 2.8kWh/10 mi
Chevrolet Bolt EV – 2.9 kWh/10 mi
Nissan Leaf – 3.0kWh/10 mi
Tesla Model X – 3.2 1 kWh/10 mi
Ford Mustang Mach E – 3.3 kWh/10 mi
Audi Etron – 4.3kWh/10 mi
Rivian R1T– 4.8 10 miles/kWh

How to Choose an Electric Vehicle when you have Solar Panels

You may already be aware of the connection between electricity production and consumption if you own solar panels at home. You must consider the extra charging requirements of any electric vehicle you decide to purchase in the event of thinking about adding an electric vehicle to your home or buying electric vehicle chargers. To charge an EV you might require more solar panels. This will offset the higher energy consumption of your home.

These formulas can be used to estimate the amount of solar panels will be required in order to power your vehicle home charger. You can then calculate how much it will cost for them to be installed.

These are some other things to remember:

Timing: It can take time to get approval for solar panels that are new. This timeline can be used in conjunction with the timeline of your purchase for electric vehicles.

Roof Space: In order to charge your electric vehicle using solar energy, you will need sufficient space on your roof to increase the size of the solar array. This guide will help you calculate the roof space required for the installation of solar panels.

Batteries: A significant amount of electricity is produced by electric vehicle chargers. Many people drive their cars to work each day. This means that the car isn’t charged in the peak hours of solar energy. Install solar batteries in your home if you only want to use solar energy for charging the electric car. Then, you can save the extra energy produced by your solar panels during the daytime, and then use this energy for charging your vehicle at night.

The Home Charger: When charging your electric vehicle at home, it is important to consider the cost of the charging device charger, location, (wall-mounted or on the pole) and installation costs (including upgrading the electrical panels, if needed) and other elements.

How to Know if You Need an Electric vehicle

You will need to calculate the typical daily consumption of electricity in your household , and then add an electric vehicle. This will allow you to determine the amount of solar panels you’ll require. Also, consider the future plans you have in mind and how they could influence your consumption. You might require extra panels when you plan to expand your family or increase in size your home or work from home.

Beyond the use in addition to usage, there are other factors you should consider:

Roof: Your roof’s type as well as size determine if you can put solar panels on your roof. It also determines the amount of sunlight they provide and the number you will need.

Peak Sun Hours: Each region receives an average of a different amount of sunlight each day. Nevada Solar Power Installers, a professional solar provider, will provide you with a rough estimate of the amount of sun your home will be exposed to and how many panels it will need to harness the energy.

Weather: Although local weather patterns can affect the sunlight reaching your solar panels’ panels, your panels are still able to produce electricity even during cloudy days. Based on past weather patterns, your solar system’s installer will determine how many panels are required to power your home.

Solar Panels and Storage for your solar batteries for your Electric Vehicle

You should consider how you intend to use your electric car when you think about the connection between your EV as well as solar panel. The solar storage battery is necessary if you are far from home for working during the daylight. The solar energy generated during the day is stored in batteries. However, the power at night required to charge your vehicle comes from your electric power source and, most likely, from fossil fuels.

In the event that net-metering technology is offered in your area, however you may not need a solar battery. The utility company will credit you for any excess solar power that you transmit to the grid during the day. These credits can be used in the evening to offset the cost for the charging of your vehicle in the event that solar panels aren’t producing electricity.

Smart chargers are able to charge electric vehicles only when you have low TOU rates. Some EVs come with this smart charging feature however others are able to accomplish the same thing by switching to an EV charger.

Incentives and rebates for charging an electric vehicle with solar energy

The Federal Government offers a program that makes it easier to switch to renewable energy sources. The Solar Tax Credit allows you to claim a part of the cost for solar installations as credit on your federal taxes. This program could help you save significant cost.

Numerous programs that reward EVs and solar power are local or state-level programs. That means the programs you have access to will be contingent on where you are located. You can use for the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency for (DSIRE) to locate the incentives.

Future of Solar Power and Electric Vehicles

Nevada Solar Power Installers, two|and Nevada Solar Power Installers], two|Two} of the world’s leading electric vehicle makers, have launched initiatives to get EV charging stations installed on the adventure trail. Travelers will be able to go further, if they’re not bound by gas stations.

One auto manufacturer is looking to combine solar energy with electric vehicles. Nevada Solar Power Installers has created an electric vehicle that includes a solar panel. The company claims that its futuristic-looking vehicle won’t require charging from an electric car for its most common use.

Nevada Solar Power Installers offers a traditional vehicle with integrated solar modules if you prefer something more conventional. Some of the most well-known automakers such as Hyundai use solar technology in order to recharge their batteries and run the heating and cooling.

Solar Power & EV Shopping Guide

Electric vehicles may soon become more popular than diesel-powered counterparts due to tighter emissions regulations as well as a rising consciousness of the benefits of clean energy sources. There are numerous commercial charging stations that are available to those who travel for long distances and need to charge their electric vehicles, however, home charging stations can eliminate the need to stop at a station every week.

A properly planned solar installation will help EV drivers avoid expensive energy bills and the inconvenience of charging their vehicles each day. They will get to be the first to enjoy the electric-powered future by reducing their dependence on gas and grid power stations.

It’s not clear how the future of commuters look. There will be numerous exciting developments as electric vehicle manufacturers team up with solar power businesses.

It is crucial to take into consideration the power requirements for charging electric vehicles when you calculate the number of solar panel systems you’ll require. You can add an EV home charging station for the solar panel setup.

Get a free Solar Design and Savings estimate from Nevada Solar Power Installers to learn more about solar energy and how it can be utilized in charging the electric vehicle.