How Many Panels Do You Need to Charge An EV?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on fuel costs. But have you ever thought about how you can power your EV with clean, renewable energy? At SUNSOLAR SOLUTIONS, we believe that solar power is the perfect solution for powering your EV.

When it comes to charging your EV, you have two main options: at home or at a public charging station. Currently, most EV drivers charge their vehicles at home, but if your home is drawing its energy from the grid that’s powered by fossil fuels, your EV is still running on non-renewable energy. However, with a rooftop solar system, you can run your EV on 100% clean energy. And charging at home overnight is much more convenient than searching for public charging stations on an as-needed basis.

But how many solar panels do you need to power your EV? The average EV can go about 3 miles per kilowatt-hour, and the average person drives about 14,000 miles per year. This means that to power your car annually, you need an additional 4,666 kWh of energy. To produce this amount of energy, you would need an additional 3.1 kW system, or 8 to 12 panels, depending on their power output.

If you already have solar on your home, you may be wondering if you should add more. It depends on a number of factors, such as your current energy usage and whether you have a home battery. A home battery can be programmed to kick in during times of demand, like when your EV is charging, to use your stored energy instead of pulling from the grid. But keep in mind that solar home batteries are smaller than EV batteries, so you may need to add more panels if you want to rely on energy storage for power outages.

If you’re considering an EV but don’t have solar yet, we recommend going solar first. We can determine the right number of solar panels needed to cover all your energy needs, including charging your EV. Plus, you may be able to add a storage system now or later as your needs grow.

At SUNSOLAR SOLUTIONS, we understand that going solar and buying an EV can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to answer all of your questions and guide you through the process. Let us help you do your part for the planet and save money on electricity by powering your EV with solar energy. Contact us today for more information.