Written by Sarah Lozanova
Are you thinking of going electric and purchasing an EV? There are now more models on the market than ever before. Vehicle range is increasing as battery technology advances, and there is a more extensive charging infrastructure than ever before. In fact, there are 930 publicly available charging stations in Georgia. To make driving an electric vehicle as green as possible, it is vital to consider the type of electricity used for charging.
In Georgia, nearly half of our power comes from natural gas and 20% from coal. Unfortunately, less than 10% comes from renewable sources. Therefore, installing solar panels on your roof is an excellent way to power your electric vehicle from the sun and save money!
Solar energy panels are more efficient than they were even a decade ago, so most homeowners have enough space on their roofs to generate most or all of their own electricity. As clean technologies become more common and widespread, many homeowners are looking at how to combine them. What’s great about installing solar panels is that the sun will power both your home and your car, also saving on fuel expenses.
How many solar panels do I need to charge my electric vehicle?
The answer to this depends on several factors. The Solar Plus team is skilled in properly sizing solar PV systems to get the most value out of the installation, so contact us if you would like help.
Solar energy
- How sunny is your roof? Are there buildings or trees that shade it? We recommend installing solar PV panels on the south-facing roof whenever possible. If this isn’t an option, an east or west-facing roof is possible.
- How efficient are the photovoltaic solar panels you are installing on your roof? The average panels are around 15 to 20 percent efficient. At Solar Plus, we can install high-efficiency solar panels that will produce more energy in small spaces.
Electric vehicles & driving habits
- How far do you drive your electric vehicle? The average electric vehicle travels 5,300 miles per year, about half of the average.
- How efficient is your vehicle? The average one needs about 30 kWh per 100 miles. The US Department of Energy has information on the efficiency of different models. Unfortunately, vehicle efficiency declines in cold weather, but Atlanta has little subzero weather.
- Where do you charge your electric vehicle? Is it always at home, or do you sometimes charge at work or in public charging stations? As the charging infrastructure improves, you might charge your car more on the go than you do now, especially if the rates are economical.
Let’s say you have a sunny rooftop solar system in Atlanta, and you drive 10,000 miles a year. You only charge your car at home, and your vehicle has average efficiency. You would need about six 350-watt solar panels.
Let’s say all is the same, but you only drive 5,000 miles annually, and you typically charge at home but sometimes on the go. Your Decatur home is pretty sunny but gets a bit of morning shade. Then, you would only need about three solar panels to charge your car.
What homes aren’t well suited for electric vehicles?
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to charge a car in some homes. For example, if you do not have a driveway or garage, it might be challenging to access a charger. Unfortunately, many apartment dwellers find this particularly challenging. In such cases, it might be best to charge elsewhere, such as at work or in publicly-available chargers.
If you are looking for a solar company to install a system for your home, contact the Solar Plus team. We have years of solar installation experience and are dedicated to lowering electricity bills with clean energy.
Is my home well suited for a solar power system?
This depends on several factors, such as shading and your roof’s size and orientation. Ideally, you will have an unshaded south-facing roof. If you get a bit of shade in the early morning or late afternoon, it won’t significantly impact your overall solar energy production. In some cases, we can locate the solar panels on a garage roof or even a ground mount.
At Solar Plus, we recommend taking action to keep your solar system performing well. For example, avoid planting tall trees, especially on the south side of your home. Also, evergreen trees tend to shade solar panels more because they have foliage in the winter when the sun is at a lower angle in the sky.
Do you want to learn more about installing solar panels and an electric vehicle charger on your home? Contact Solar Plus today to get started!