Since the inception of vehicles, a need for alternative fuel sources was generated. Several people added their effort to this journey and finally, the hybrid cars were unveiled. Gradually, with the assistance of technological advancements, the automotive industry transitioned towards Electric Vehicles (EVs). Nowadays, EVs can be considered the new normal of the industry. However, to charge their car, EV owners are still dependent on electricity generated from fossil fuels. In order to make it more eco-friendly, solar electric car chargers are introduced in the market. These chargers absorb sunlight and use it to generate electricity.
Here are the complete details regarding solar electric car chargers and their usage.
Solar Powered Electric Car Charger
The working and construction of solar EV chargers are similar to home EV chargers. The core difference is that normal chargers use electricity from a grid station and these chargers use electricity generated from solar energy. To make these chargers functional, a few other pieces of equipment are required. Before moving towards equipment, let’s first take a look at different types of solar chargers.
Types of Solar Chargers
Currently, two types of solar chargers are available in the market that can charge your EV at home. Here are the complete details regarding these types of chargers.
Separate Chargers
The separate solar chargers are the normal EV chargers that can use solar energy to charge the vehicles. However, these chargers are not equipped with any sort of equipment. Therefore, users have to purchase other equipment to make it suitable to get charged from solar energy.
Integrated Chargers
Integrated chargers are ready to use and equipped with all the necessary components. These chargers have an inverter that directly supplies alternating current from solar panels to the car. Unlike separate chargers, integrated chargers do not require any sort of setup and can be used directly.
Equipment of Solar Electric Car Chargers
We have listed all the essential elements that are required to use solar EV chargers.
- Inverter: Electric cars use Alternating Current (AC) to store electricity in the batteries. Therefore, an inverter is required that converts the Direct Current (DC) from the solar panels into AC.
- Solar Panels: Solar panels are plates consisting of photovoltaic cells that absorb solar energy.
- Battery: Batteries are used to store the electric energy generated from solar energy. These batteries continue to store energy regardless if the charger is in use or not.
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE): EVSE is a system of electricity transfer from the power source to the vehicle. The system consists of an electrical conductor, interface and software that ensures the secure transfer of electricity from the power source to the vehicle. There are different levels of EVSE and each level transfers a different amount of electricity.
How to Choose the Best Solar EV Charger
Multiple factors affect the efficiency and durability of solar electric car chargers. Following are the details regarding the crucial aspects that need to be considered prior to the purchase decision.
Usage of Grid Electricity
The solar chargers currently available in the market might require some electricity from the grid for proper functioning. However, this can reduce the eco-friendliness of the chargers and can be a potential reason for higher electricity bills. To cater to this, you can use a charger with an inverter that exempts the usage of grid electricity.
Charging Time
Charging time is the most important element to consider in solar electric car chargers. While purchasing a charger make sure to check the level of the charger. The level of the charger defines the charging time it consumes to provide a full charge. The Level 1 charger takes approximately 8 to 16 hours and Level 2 chargers require 6 to 8 hours to fully charge a car battery. Make sure to timely unplug your vehicle after full charge, as overcharging can cause damage to the car battery. If you have recently purchased an EV, read our blog on tips for first-time EV owners.
Type of Charger
The type of charger (integrated or separate) also affects the chagrin capacity. Separate chargers are recommended for individuals with basic knowledge of solar panels and skills to set up the charger. That said, for separate chargers, you must also have the skills to set up a separate inverter that will provide better control over the current flow. You can also seek assistance from companies providing solar charger setup services.
Whereas, if you want to directly use the charger without any additional installations, integrated ones are recommended. Since integrated chargers are budget-friendly, the cost of installation is also reduced.
Pros of Solar Electric Car Chargers
Here are the benefits of using solar chargers for charging your electric cars.
Cost-Effective
Solar chargers are cost-effective contrary to the grid energy used for charging electric cars. Even if you include the installation cost, the per-hour cost to charge an electric car through a solar system will be lesser than grid energy. Moreover, the cost of the solar charger is constant, as the setup is controlled by the owner. Whereas, the cost of grid electricity fluctuates as per the government’s regulation.
Environment Friendly
Apart from cost-effectiveness, solar chargers are also eco-friendly as no fossil fuels are used. The clean energy from the chargers also aids in achieving the green vision of the UAE. Along with this, it significantly reduces carbon emissions from vehicles and charging stations.
Peace of Mind
Solar chargers generate their electricity from sunlight and store it in batteries. Therefore, it is more reliable, contrary to other sources. Furthermore, the independence of electricity generation and storage exempts solar chargers from any sort of power outage and breakdown.
These were all the details regarding the usage of solar panel chargers for electric cars. Solar chargers gained rapid popularity as it aids in making EVs greener. EVs are not only greener but also a sustainable mode of transportation. If you are also interested in reducing the carbon emissions of your vehicle, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and purchase an electric car.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on solar car chargers for EVs.
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