Solar panels and electric cars are a match made in heaven. When you install a solar energy system on your home, you can use it to power both your home and charge your electric car for emissions-free transportation. Especially when the cost of solar is falling rapidly, it’s a good decision to add PV when you have an EV or vice versa add an EV for your transportation when you already have PV on your roof.
Before going into more detail regarding why Solar PV is best suited with an EV, let us inform you why should not charge your electric vehicle on your utility grid.
It is not a bad decision to charge your EV at-home charging station via the existing electricity grid but be prepared for a peak in energy usage charges in your utility bill. Because it is observed that an electric car owner does most of their charging at home rather than at public charging stations. More frequent price hikes by utility companies throughout the nation ask you to rethink.
Electric cars are generally cheaper to fuel and maintain than conventional gas-fuelled cars, although they may cost more to buy. While purchasing an electric vehicle, remember that you will most likely be charging it at home, which eventually raises your home electricity bill.
Considering the average cost of electricity as 15 cents per kWh, and most electric vehicles coming these days with a mileage of four miles per kWh, so if you typically drive your car 1,000 miles a month, you’ll need at least 250 kWh to charge it properly. Hence at 15 cents per kWh, that will cost you $37.50 a month and around $450 a year.
Depending on the location and miles you travel, it can easily add about $30 to $60 per month to your utility bill. Unfortunately, if you live in a state with higher electricity costs, like California, your electric bill will of course be higher.
As previously discussed, there is nothing wrong with owning an EV without installing solar panels, but wouldn’t it be ideal if the power you get off the sun for your car could also power your home? Giving you zero emissions and almost free power, if your solar system is sized to cover the electricity needs of the home and the car.
You may argue that there is a cost associated with installing a Solar PV System. Yes! There is but remember the amount you save on account of both your home consumption and EV charging. A typical residential solar payback period in the US is just 8 years.
Another example, the Department of Energy estimates that the cost of charging an electric vehicle with a 70-mile range would be about the same as running an air conditioner for around six hours. As you can imagine that cost can add up over time. It is still cheaper than paying for gas, but you can get it even lower with solar.
Conclusion
When you compare solar panels to the cost of gas or the cost of standard electricity from the utility company, they are the clear, mathematical winner. Solar is the cheapest form of electricity and getting cheaper all the time. It is also a lot more convenient than driving to a charging station which may or may not be anywhere near your house.
Solar panels are a cost-effective way to fuel your electric car. If you are thinking of installing solar panels at your home and adding an EV in the future, or if you already have an EV and want to add solar, Staten Solar can help you. Talk with one of our energy advisors today!