Imagine pressing the accelerator on your latest EV, and it accelerating faster than your old gas guzzler. Imagine knowing that the power your motor receives was generated on your roof by the sun.
Zoom, Zoom, indeed!
Solar panels can be used to charge electric vehicles. Absolutely! For owners of electric cars, solar panels are an excellent option. Solar panels produce clean, abundant electricity which can charge your car and power your home.
It can be difficult to make the decision to go green. There are many reasons why you should purchase solar panels. Talk about your carbon footprint, and the impact on your finances due to rising electricity costs. Let’s talk about why solar panels might be right for you and your vehicle.
What is all the fuss about EVs? This blog will give you a deeper dive into electric vehicles. Let’s get out there!
Why are so many people interested in electric car?
You may have seen a Tesla speeding down your street or a neighbor parking a Mustang Mach-Ein in front of their house. The International Energy Agency estimates that 16.5 million electric cars (EVs), were cruising the roads of the world by 2021. The number of EVs has risen to 2022, surpassing last year.
Three Amazing Reasons Everyone Wants an Electric Vehicle
It’s likely that you will be seeing more electric cars. You may ask, “Why do more people want an electric car?” There are many reasons.
1. Electric vehicles emit less carbon dioxide over their entire life span
Most people have heard about the many benefits of solar power. Many homeowners opt to go solar for the benefit of the environment. They may be concerned about the carbon footprint of their vehicle. EVs are a great choice for people who care about the environment and the consequences of pollution.
An International Council on Clean Transportation study found that EVs produce less pollution than gas-powered vehicles. This holds true for both manufacturing as well as driving. This calculator comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. This calculator will give you an estimate of how much greenhouse gas your electric car will emit over its lifetime. It can also be used to compare your region’s average greenhouse gas emissions with gas-powered cars.
2. Electric vehicles can help reduce electricity costs.
It is correct. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), electricity prices have steadily increased over the past 20 years. Home EV charging can increase your energy consumption and potentially add to your monthly electricity bills.
Synapse Energy Economics found that many EV owners charge at home using the time-of use billing rates. This means you can charge only when electricity costs are low.
Utility companies have to balance the supply and demand of electricity. While everyone wants electricity after work, the demand for electricity is lower at night. Utility companies cannot simply turn off generators. It takes too long to turn them on and off. The grid often has more electricity at night. Negative power prices are when utilities pay other providers for the electricity they take from them. Most likely, your electricity company will send you the electricity and then charge you.
Synapse claims that EVs can “… charge more often during off-peak hours. This encourages utilities to invest in charging infrastructure that will lower their cost.
3. Electric cars are becoming less expensive
With gas prices increasing 18% in the last year, it makes sense for people to maximize their car budgets. An alternative is the electric car. Many people are concerned about the initial costs of an electric vehicle, but it is important that they understand the total cost of ownership.
First, you can lower the cost of an electric vehicle by using federal tax credits or local tax credits. This perk can be used by the government to provide cleaner, lower-carbon energy. It is similar to solar incentives.
While charging your electric vehicle will probably cost less than petrol, it’s still an important factor in making the green decision. The cost of charging an EV depends on how much you drive, and how efficient your EV is.
Each person is unique. Let’s look at one driver.
Americans average 39 miles per day. That’s approximately 14,200 miles annually. The average electric car uses 34.6 kWh per 100 miles. Average drivers will use 4,913kWh annually. Most owners of EVs charge their cars at home. The average residential solar panel can charge your vehicle. Consider the additional energy needed to charge your electric car when designing your solar panel system. There are many factors that affect how much electricity a solar panel produces. These include panel efficiency, peak sunlight hours, car model, roof direction, and panel efficiency.
The real question is not answered. How many solar panels are required to charge a Tesla? It all depends on several factors. It takes approximately 10 solar panels to charge a Tesla.
Of course, you might also need another EV. There are always new EVs on the market. Some are more efficient than others. The DOE is a wonderful tool for comparing all EVs available on the U.S. marketplace.
It can be a smart investment for the environment. You could save money in the long-term. To learn more, speak to a Solar Energy Specialist.