Electric cars and solar panels – what you need to know

As the electric vehicle industry booms, Rivervale Leasing discusses environmentally friendly ways to charge EVs.

As more and more individuals and businesses get familiar with the benefits of electric cars, they may be keen to find the most environmentally friendly ways to power them. 

The ideal option is solar electricity, produced by panels on the roof of their homes or business premises.

Rivervale says: “We already know that swapping a diesel or petrol vehicle for an EV alternative removes local emissions and reduces CO2 emissions by 50%. Why not take it further and run your car with zero carbon impact?”

Sound tempting? While the use of solar panels to charge a car battery may prompt you to ponder the word ‘complicated’, once you are in the know, it is actually not. 

Below, the team at Rivervale answer some of the most commonly asked questions about electric car solar panels.

Can I charge an electric car with solar panels?

Yes! You can use solar panels to charge your car battery. 

How does it work?

Solar panels generate electricity from UV lighting by absorbing packets of photons. Many think it only happens when the sun is shining, but solar panels can be effective even in overcast conditions.

How does charging an electric car with solar panels work?

As part of the process, the solar panel inverter changes the current to AC (from DC) so that the energy harvested can be used domestically. This means that the energy can be used to power your home and charge your electric vehicle. But remember, solar panels can’t retain or store the energy they create. So, as an electric car owner, you may prefer to have a power-stored battery so that any surplus energy is stored for use at a later date. 

How long does it take to charge an EV from solar panels?

Of course, there is no set amount of time your EV will take to charge, but it can range from 30 minutes to 12 hours. This depends on the size of the battery you are charging and the speed at which your charging point charges. However, if you have power stores installed, then you may find it quicker to charge. Of course, during the daytime, there is more sunlight available. But a home battery system is essential if you will be charging your electric car at home overnight.

Are there any financial benefits when you charge an electric car with solar panels?

Even though electricity is one of the cheaper traditional fuels out there (when compared to gas, for example), installing an EV charger in your home is going to add considerably to your electricity bill. Therefore, many financial benefits come with installing solar panels in your home for charging your car.

You can also rent out your solar EV charger to other drivers and earn extra money too.

How many solar panels does it take to run an electric car?

A standard solar panel installation for a domestic property that consists of eight to12 panels should provide enough electricity to charge an electric car with an average-sized battery. But this depends largely on the type of electric car you have and how many miles you drive, as electric range may not be that important. If you want to charge your electric car with solar panels overnight, then solar battery storage is a must-have. 

Can I get solar panels for the roof of my car?

Of course, it would seem a lot easier if you could drive your car around with solar panels on the roof. This would mean that you could charge your car as you go. But, sadly, this isn’t possible right now. As you would imagine, the surface area available on a car is not big enough to provide enough energy to run it.

However, as the technology behind solar panels and electric vehicles develops, we hope to see solar panels on cars to help top up batteries and act as a ‘portable power bank’. Here at Rivervale, we think the best time to go electric is now!

Interested in an Electric Car? Get in touch with Rivervale on 01273 433480 to discuss EV leasing. Alternatively, you can request a callback for a time that is convenient for you!