How to Use Solar Panels to Charge Your Electric Car

If you own an electric car or you’re thinking of getting one, you might be wondering how you can charge it with solar power. Solar power is a natural complement to an electric car, as it allows you to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your electricity bills. In this blog post, we will explain how you can use solar panels to charge your electric car, and what are the benefits and challenges of doing so.

How Solar Panels Work

Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electricity. They are made of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which are arranged in modules or arrays on your roof or ground. When sunlight hits the PV cells, they generate direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted into alternating current (AC) electricity by an inverter. AC electricity is the type of electricity that powers your home appliances and your electric car.

There are two main ways to charge your electric car with solar panels: directly or indirectly.

Direct Charging

Direct charging means that you plug your electric car into a charger that is connected to your solar panel system. This way, you can use the solar electricity that your panels generate to charge your car’s battery. However, this method has some limitations:

You can only charge your car when the sun is shining and your panels are producing electricity. If you need to charge your car at night or on cloudy days, you will have to rely on grid electricity or battery storage.

You need a compatible charger that can handle the DC electricity from your panels or the AC electricity from your inverter. Most electric cars come with a Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet, but this charger is slow and inefficient for solar charging. You will need a Level 2 charger that plugs into a 240-volt outlet, which can charge your car faster and more efficiently.

You need a sufficient number of solar panels to produce enough electricity for your car’s battery. The number of panels you need depends on several factors, such as the size of your car’s battery, your driving habits, the efficiency of your panels, and the amount of sunlight in your area. According to SolarReviews, a typical electric car needs about 30 kWh of electricity per 100 miles of driving. To generate that much electricity, you will need about 10 solar panels with an average output of 300 watts each.

Indirect Charging

Indirect charging means that you use the grid as a buffer between your solar panel system and your electric car. This way, you can charge your car at any time of the day or night, regardless of the weather conditions. However, this method also has some drawbacks:

You will not be using the solar electricity that your panels generate directly, but rather offsetting it with the grid electricity that you use to charge your car. This means that you will still have to pay for the grid electricity that you consume, unless you have a net metering program that credits you for the excess solar electricity that you send back to the grid.

You will not be able to take advantage of the time-of-use (TOU) rates that some utilities offer for electric car charging. TOU rates vary depending on the time of day and the demand for electricity. They are usually lower at night and higher during peak hours. By charging your car at night with grid electricity, you can save money on your electricity bills. However, if you have a net metering program that pays you a fixed rate for your solar electricity, you will not benefit from the TOU rates.

The Benefits of Charging Your Electric Car With Solar Panels

Despite the challenges, there are many benefits of charging your electric car with solar panels, such as:

You can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact by using clean and renewable energy for both your home and transportation needs. You can save money on your electricity bills by generating your own power and avoiding paying for grid electricity or gasoline. You can increase your energy independence and resilience by relying less on the grid and more on your own power source.

You can increase the value of your home and car by installing solar panels and an electric car charger.

The Future: Solar-Powered Vehicles?

While charging your electric car with solar panels is a great way to drive on sunshine, some people might wonder if it is possible to have a completely solar-powered vehicle. The answer is yes, but not very practical.

There are some experimental vehicles that use solar panels mounted on their roofs or bodies to generate electricity for their batteries. However, these vehicles are usually very light, aerodynamic, and expensive. They also have limited range and speed, and require optimal weather conditions to operate.

A more realistic option is to have a hybrid vehicle that uses both solar panels and another fuel source, such as gasoline or hydrogen. For example, Toyota has developed a prototype of a Prius plug-in hybrid that has solar panels on its roof and hood. The solar panels can provide up to 10% of the vehicle’s power needs.

Another possibility is to have vehicles that use wireless charging technology to receive power from solar panels installed on roads or parking lots. This way, vehicles can charge while driving or parked without needing any cables or plugs.

Conclusion

Charging your electric car with solar panels is a feasible and beneficial option for anyone who wants to combine the advantages of clean energy and clean transportation. Whether you choose direct or indirect charging, you will be able to enjoy driving on sunshine while saving money and reducing emissions.

If you are interested in installing solar panels for charging your electric car or for other purposes, please contact us today.

Sol-Ark Distributor

For Solar power installation and repair in Missouri. 

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Why You Should Install Solar Power in Your Home

Solar power is one of the most popular and fastest-growing sources of renewable energy in the world. More and more homeowners are choosing to install solar panels on their roofs or find other ways to harness the sun’s energy for their daily needs. But what are the benefits of going solar? Here are some of the main reasons why you should consider installing solar power in your home.

Reduced Electricity Bills

One of the most obvious advantages of solar power is that it can help you save money on your electricity bills. By generating your own electricity from the sun, you can reduce your dependence on your utility company and avoid paying for expensive grid power. Depending on your electricity consumption, solar system size, and local electricity rates, you can expect to see significant savings over the lifetime of your system.

Financial Support from the Government

Another benefit of installing solar power is that you can take advantage of various financial incentives and tax breaks offered by the federal and state governments. For example, you can claim a 26% federal tax credit for the cost of your system if you install it before 2023. You may also qualify for state and local rebates, grants, loans, or net metering programs that can further reduce your upfront and ongoing costs.

Energy Independence

Solar power can also give you more control over your energy supply and security. By producing your own electricity, you can avoid power outages, blackouts, or price fluctuations caused by grid issues or natural disasters. You can also store excess solar energy in batteries or sell it back to the grid for credits, depending on your net metering policy. This way, you can have a reliable and consistent source of power at all times.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Solar power is not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy does not emit greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants that contribute to climate change and air quality problems. By switching to solar, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the planet for future generations.

Longevity and Little Maintenance

Solar power systems are designed to last for decades, with minimal maintenance required. Most solar panels come with performance warranties of 25 years or more, meaning they will produce at least 80% of their rated power after that period. Solar systems have no moving parts, so they are less likely to break down or need repairs. The only maintenance you need to do is to keep them clean and free of dust or debris.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many benefits of installing solar power in your home. Solar energy can help you save money, get financial support, achieve energy independence, reduce your environmental impact, and enjoy a long-lasting and low-maintenance system. If you are interested in going solar, you can start by finding out if your home is suitable for solar panels, comparing different options and quotes from reputable installers, and applying for any incentives or financing available in your area. You will soon be on your way to enjoying clean, green, and affordable power from the sun.

Is It Time For You To “Go Green”?

 

Alternate energy sources such as “solar panels” are picking up speed due to their obvious benefits. Prime reasons for their popularity, which is slow but expected to increase, include “lower utility bills” and “less harm to the environment”. By installing a solar panel, you can decrease the carbon footprint of your household by as much as 25,180 pounds of carbon dioxide on average, yearly.

Quick fact: Home solar penetration is less than 12 percent currently but it is expected to grow by 30 percent, reaching 83 million homes by 2023. 

Environmental benefits aside, solar panel installation brings about a ton of benefits. Let’s take a look at a few notable ones.

Long-Term Benefits

Solar panels power the house by transforming sunlight into energy that is converted into electricity for households. This process is enabled through photo-voltaic cells, which can be very costly to purchase initially. However, since its introduction, solar panel prices have dropped by as much as 60 percent, and with the many federal and local tax incentives, it could all be well worth it in the long run. 

Renewable Energy Source

Solar power is a renewable energy source. After dark, storm, or rain, we all know that the sun will be up to power our homes the next morning. As opposed to this, the conventional electricity in our homes is powered by oil, which is a limited resource. It may not end anywhere in the near future, but once scarcity reaches a certain level, conventional means of electricity generation will face tough times.

Benefits Your Home As Well As the Environment

Solar panels will help lower your utility bills or eliminate them completely if you plan to power everything in your home with a solar panel. However, most people opt for 50 to 80 percent of their homes being powered by a solar panel, resulting in significant cost reduction in utility bills. 

It creates no noise and generates no pollution harming the environment as opposed to electricity generating machines that emit harmful greenhouse gases. 

Easy Installation 

Installing a solar panel isn’t difficult and typically takes a few days. We provide professional solar panel installation services to residents as well as commercial business. Our specialists will work with you to help you get your solar panel installed, helping you preserve the environment as well as benefit your home. 

Our team will ensure that your solar panel grid is satisfactorily installed and integrated into the power system. Serving the South Central Missouri area for well over a decade now, and having been involved with multiple solar panel installations in the area, we understand the technology and conform to the highest standards of customer service. 

The majority of people are making the switch while they can, and you too would be well advised to do so in order to benefit yourself and the environment. We think it is definitely time for us all to “go green” now. To request a consultation today, call us at (417) 948-1205.

How Does Residential Solar Power System Work?

What is the most abundant renewable resource on our planet? You have guessed it correctly – it is solar power. The technology behind solar power may seem intimidating and intricate to some people, but it is not really that difficult. The solar generated power makes use of technology that has been tested since the 19th century. So if you are thinking about fixing a solar panel at the roof of your house, then you must increase your understanding of how a residential solar power system works. 

How Does a Home Solar Power System Work?

• Properly installed solar panels in direct sunlight on the roof of your house are used to convert the rays of the sun into DC electricity. The solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells.

• The direct current produced by the solar cells is directed to the inverter through wires which is used to convert the DC electricity into AC power. 

• From the inverter, the current flows to the service panel of the house for distribution. The electricity is fed to power the household.

• Additionally, a digital tracking meter can be installed to calculate the total power consumption of your house. Sometimes, these tracking devices are also equipped with online monitors or display system as well to monitor how efficiently the system is working.

• During daytime, when there is surplus electricity than the consumption requirements, the extra power is fed back to the power grid. The energy meter of your house will start spinning in the reverse direction when this occurs. 

• Some governments buy this extra renewable energy from house owners. You will generate revenue to remunerate the cost of initial investment on the solar panels. 

• However, at night if the household uses more energy than is being produced by the solar panel, then the additional energy is drawn from the power grid. 

Investing in harnessing the power of the sun is the most intelligent thing you can do as it reaps many benefits in the long run for the environment, yourself and your standard of living.  

Installing Solar Panels on Your Home?

Solar technology has been around since the 1960s when it was used by NASA to power its satellites. However, in the past 10 years, it has reached our homes and offices owing to its obvious benefits. Today, solar panels have a significant market but their entrance into the mainstream residential market remains somewhat hindered. 

If you're thinking about investing in solar energy as a way to reduce energy bills and produce clean energy with no gas emissions, here are some things to consider before making the leap:

Surroundings

The surroundings can affect the electricity production from the solar panels. You have to be careful about towering shade trees and tall shadow casting buildings. There should be no shadow on your solar panel during the sunniest hours, which are typically from 10 am to 2 pm. Also remember that the different types of panels react differently to shade so you must be careful while choosing one. A poly crystalline panel produces less output if any part of it is shaded, while a mono crystalline panel will produce no output at all in case a part of it is shaded.

Maintenance

Solar panels are part of a stationary system; there are no moving parts to worry about. Once your solar panel is installed correctly, the one thing you have to worry about to keep them running efficiently is the maintenance. The important thing is to keep them clean because dirty panels can end up getting less sunlight. The amount of electricity produced can be reduced by as much as 7 percent due to dust buildup. Cleaning is necessary only one to four times in a year using a hose and nozzle.

Insolation Rating

Every area receives different amounts of sunlight and if you're considering installing solar panels, you must know your area's insolation rating. Insolation is the measurement of the amount of solar radiation reaching the ground during a specific time period. In simple words, it will tell you how much sunlight you would potentially be able to convert into electricity; the higher the isolation rating, the more favorable the output. 

Size 

Most people think that they require a solar panel as big as the house. The size does not determine the production of energy from the solar panel rather the amount of sunlight reaching the surface does. If you live in a high insolation rating region, you might be able to power your house with a smaller panel and vice versa. 

End Note

Before installing your solar panel, make sure you consider all these things and seek advice and opinion from industry experts. Team has the experience and expertise to help you install solar panels in your home in the West plains area. If you're willing to take the leap give us a call today (417) 948-1205.