EV Charging vs. Solar Power

Alternative and renewable energy forms are helping to push the electricity industry into a cleaner, more sustainable future. At the core of the race to electric vehicles is the goal to reduce the impact vehicle travel has on our planet’s resources.

Naturally, it’s a perfect fit to consider how combining renewables like solar with EV charging can have a massive impact on the future of widespread adoption of both technologies. As solar installers are getting busier bringing renewable energy to homes and businesses (often with excellent government incentives), here are excellent reasons to consider adding EV charging to the list of services.

What is Solar EV Charging?

Charging electric vehicles with solar technology uses panels to convert the sun’s energy into power an EV can use. It sounds easy enough, but there are some key components that make the entire thing work correctly.

The Solar EV Charging Process

First, solar panels turn photovoltaic cells into direct current. For most applications, this DC power will then be converted to AC power to be stored in a battery bank or used immediately. Since solar power has variable maximum potential and the goal is to be sustainable, using a storage bank for solar power helps increase the value of solar charging, especially as grid charging has to deal with peak demand and other factors. When you use grid-tied solutions like those offered by Prosolaire, these technical aspects are taken care of.

5 Benefits of Solar EV Charging

1.) Cost

The best thing anyone can hear about a potential purchase: it’s going to save you money. Solar installers can show data-based evidence that in almost everywhere in Canada, installing solar power ends up being cheaper than purchasing electricity from the grid. Couple that with the fact that owning an electric car can increase household energy consumption by 50%-100%, and solar EV charging becomes such an obvious solution. Installers can offer a value-added solution service bundle that saves customers money.

 2.) Services

Another big factor for installers to consider: customers are always looking for ways to bundle their purchases to simplify and save. As soon as people know that combining solar and electric charging can save them money, they will likely be eager to simplify the installation. This benefits solar installers, too; rather than making multiple repeat trips to residences and businesses, teams can be deployed once to finish the entire process. Overlapping infrastructure work can help increase value for the customer while increasing the installer’s margin.

 3.) Incentives

Incentives for both solar power and EV ownership means both technologies will likely continue to grow in the future. Installers should consider getting ahead of the curve and begin offering EV charging with solar power.

 4.) High-Season Benefits

With the summer season comes a great deal of sunshine. What better way to avoid increased costs than by taking advantage of the sunshine? Installers can entice customers with solar, especially in warmer climates, by highlighting the high-season savings they achieve by storing the sun’s energy rather than paying for grid services during the expensive months.

 5.) Sustainability

 While the EV industry continues to promote sustainability by reducing oil reliance, we need to understand that using the electric grid still often means relying on natural gas and propane. Solar eliminates these needs for non-renewable energies and helps further the sustainability initiatives at the core of the EV industry. Installers and drivers can be proud of their impact on the future of energy and vehicle travel.