This guide will explain everything you need to know about installing and running solar panels and using solar-compatible chargers for your electric car.
Ready? Buckle up. You’re closer than ever to driving on sunshine.
First, we’ll explain why we’re big fans of charging your electric vehicle from home.
Charging your electric vehicle from home
When you get an electric vehicle (EV) there’s a lot to wrap your head around. We know lots of people see the upfront cost of a home charge point, and instead choose to rely heavily on the UK’s public charging network. However, charging your EV from home doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Rightcharge, pair the right home charge point with the best EV-friendly home electricity and energy tariffs so that you can unlock hidden savings. We’re here to guide you along the way, from choosing the charge point, installing it by a pro, and helping you save more with a smart EV tariff.
Next, we’ll run through the ins and outs of solar panel installation and how to charge your electric car with solar energy.
What is the process for a solar panel installation?
Firstly, you will need to get solar panels installed on your roof.
Then, you need a PV inverter unit which converts solar energy into electricity. The PV inverter changes the electricity current from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). This allows you to use the renewable energy generated from your solar panels for your home or your EV charger. Most solar installations have a PV inverter as standard, but if you’re planning your own solar panel system, factor the PV inverter into your cost calculations. Some EV charging points already have the inverter integrated into them, so it’s all in one box.
Secondly, solar panels generate energy during daylight hours, whereas you might want to charge your car overnight. So, if you want to capture that solar energy for use after the sun goes down, you’ll need a battery pack. This is also known as a wall box, as they are often mounted on the wall. Wall box battery suppliers include big names like e.on, EDF, and Tesla.
Tesla’s system has a 14kWh battery and can provide a charge of up to 7kW, or 5kW continuously, making it ideal for charging cars with bigger batteries like – surprise – a Tesla! You can mount the battery indoors or outside, usually on the wall but it can go on the floor. And you can link up to 10 batteries together to increase storage capacity. With extra energy storage, you can use the batteries not just to store your solar energy but also to fill up with electricity at night when it is much cheaper, using an EV-friendly energy tariff.
What to expect on the installation day
On the day of the installation, you can expect the installer to set up scaffolding, and then install mounts for the panels. Then the panels themselves will go up, they’ll be wired and a solar inverter will be set up. This converts the power into energy your home can use. Further work will be done to bring a solar battery into the mix for energy storage, and the inverter will be connected to your consumer unit. Finally, they’ll run a series of tests. And that’s it! You’ll be good to go.
How long this installation process takes depends on factors like the type of solar panel system you’re having, how many solar panels and the kind of battery storage you’re investing in can affect this.
Charging your electric vehicle with solar energy
How do solar EV chargers work?
For many electric car owners, the ultimate dream is to power their vehicles on sunshine. Here’s how electric vehicle home charging with solar PV works.
Once, the solar panels have been installed. Solar panels absorb photons from ultraviolet (UV) light (sunlight) and use this to generate electricity.
Solar-compatible EV chargers have solar integration. They work by integrating with solar panels to harness the sun’s power. Home EV chargers use the energy generated by solar panels to charge electric vehicles, reducing your reliance on the national grid power.
Excess solar energy can also be stored in batteries for later use, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for powering electric vehicles. A battery means that your solar-compatible EV charger can work even when the sun isn’t shining, providing a reliable and sustainable energy source for electric vehicle owners.
