Solar Energy & Electric Vehicles: A Perfect Match

 By Sarah Lozanova, Solar Writer

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.

 
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