What Is The Best Time To Charge EV With Solar Panels?

Having a charging station is becoming a common concern for entrepreneurs and individuals nowadays. This is so because of the rise in demand for electric vehicles. If you are looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to charge your EV, you can invest in a rooftop solar system. It is a good option to consider for many reasons, you can continue reading to know about them. 

In this article, we will discuss how you can charge your EV using a solar panel and also when is the best time to charge EV with solar panels. If you are switching from petrol cars to electric vehicles, rooftop solar panels for EV can be a great solution. 

Best Time to Charge EV with Solar Panels

Using rooftop solar panels, you can entertain all the benefits of energy freedom with no worries about expensive electricity bills. Usually, people are concerned about what is the best time to charge EV with solar panels. 

It is a common concern because of many factors like peak hours and others. However, the best time to charge EV with solar panels is during peak sunlight hours. Harness maximum solar output that will ensure efficient energy utilization. Furthermore, it will also reduce the dependence of the grid. 

The optimal time to use Solar Panels for EV Charging may vary depending on different factors. These may include your ecological, personal, financial, and civic priorities. 

• Do you prioritize saving money?
• Do you care more about protecting the environment?
• Do you want to lower your impact on the grid?

1. Low Impact on the Power Grid

If your solar panel produces more energy during the daytime and it is enough to fulfill EV needs, you can charge your car with excess energy. In contrast, if your solar panel cannot keep up with your electric vehicle charging needs, charge them at night time. Typically, nighttime electricity is generated in a baseload power plant. So, charging at night means that you are not adding to the peak load, putting strain on the grid throughout the day. 

2. Save Money

If your priority is to save money, there are multiple factors to consider while finding the best time to charge EV with solar panels. Nowadays, many utilities use the time-of-use approach for billing. Electricity costs more or less at distinct times of the day because of this scheme. The electricity cost usually drops as the sun goes down and increases when most homes and businesses are using it. With nightfall, electricity use decreases. You can use solar energy for electric cars based on these timings.

3. Environmental Considerations 

If you want to reduce the environmental influence of charging your EV, you should only utilize renewable energy sources. It will minimize the need for generating electricity from sources incurring power losses. When you use solar panels, you can reduce pollution because of long-distance power transmission. You can significantly alleviate your impact on the environment by charging your EV when the sun is out. You may now find the best time to charge EV with solar panels based on your priorities. 

Why Using Solar Panels to Charge an EV Is a Good Idea?

Using a solar panel to charge an EV is a great idea for many reasons, including being one of the sustainable EV charging solutions. 

1. 50% Cheaper Than Grid Power

It is general knowledge that the solar power you generate from the solar energy system of your home is much less expensive than using grid power. It is a simple concept, which means having solar and electric vehicles is the maximum energy savings. 

2. Tax Credit Savings

When you get a solar energy system, you qualify yourself for the 30% federal tax credit on your system. It will bring the price down on your home power plant which leads to further savings on the cost of the energy to charge your EV. 

3. Standard EV Charging at Home is Too Slow

When you purchase or lease an EV, the dealer will provide you with a charging cable that can plug into your home’s standard 120V outlet. There is no problem in standard charging, but it can only charge your battery at approx 4 miles per 1 hour of charging. Solar EV charging efficiency can meet the EV charging requirements and charge the battery at a good speed. 

Will You Need a Solar Battery?

Getting a solar battery can be a good decision. These batteries can store excess energy generated during the daytime. Hence, it will enable the homeowners to utilize this energy during cloudy days or night time. With energy storage, you can also ensure a consistent energy supply. Furthermore, you can use the stored energy at times of power outages. Find different strategies that can help in solar battery optimization for EV and get the best results possible. When your solar battery stores energy, you can also benefit in cost stability as grid electricity rates rise. 

How Many Solar Panels Will You Need to Charge an EV?

When you have figured out the best time to charge electric vehicles, you also need to know how many solar panels you will need. The amount of solar panel installation for EVs depends on the size of your electric vehicle. Moreover, the solar panel size is also a factor to consider in determining how many panels you will need for a certain vehicle. According to an average calculation, you will need at least 75 low-output solar panels to charge a regular Tesla Model. 

Costs Involved in Rooftop Solar Panel Installment

Cost Category	Estimated Range
Solar Panel System	$10,000 to $40,000
Installation Costs	$3,500 to $9000
EV Charging Equipment	$1000 to $2,500

Interested in finding out if you can charge your Tesla in the rain? Go to our blog site and clear your concerns about related topics as well. 

Conclusion

Solar panels for EV is an amazing way to save money on your electricity bills. You can also minimize your carbon footprint. Since you can reduce energy costs, increase efficiency, lessen power consumption, and environmental friendliness, it is no wonder why people are heading towards it. But the common concern among people is when is the best time to charge EV with solar panels. You can figure out the timings, considering your priorities.