Since the beginning of this decade, clean energy has set new records and is unlikely to slow down. According to market insights provided by Solar Energy Industries Association in partnership with Wood Mackenzie, solar PV accounted for 43% of all new electricity-generating capacity additions through Q3 2020. Electronic vehicles (EVs), despite the slump in auto sales, also saw record growth in 2022. They registered a 43% rise. These industries have demonstrated remarkable resilience even during a global pandemic.
These numbers may be similar because solar energy and electric cars go hand in hand. Solar power can help keep the engine running. Solar power can charge an electric vehicle. It is also cleaner and more cost-effective. ESD Solar’s highly efficient panels make this even more true. ESD Solar’s solar panels can generate more power in a smaller area than conventional panels. Solar power allows a home to produce its own electricity, rather than relying entirely on the grid. This can result in significant savings on your monthly utility bills.
Intelligent software gives homeowners many options for how to use excess energy. You can store it, use it during peak hours, or tap into it during power outages. This is a great option for homeowners who rely on electricity to power their important assets such as the family car. One of the most common questions that our ESD Solar consultants ask during an online appointment is whether the homeowner owns an electric vehicle. Our team can calculate the number of solar panels required to power the home and the EV.
How much power can a homeowner use to keep their electric vehicle running on a monthly basis? Instead of using miles per gallon to calculate costs, EV owners must use a different formula. The kilowatt-hour per 100 miles is a common unit of measure. To calculate the cost of an EV’s usage, drivers usually multiply the vehicle’s kWh/100 km by the electricity cost at the time the car is charged. This will allow you to factor in any demand fees that may be added by the utility company at certain times of the day. Many electric vehicles get 25 kWh/100 miles. 13.3 cents is the national average per kilowatt-hour. This number can vary from one state to the next, but you can find a good reference on U.S. Energy Information Administration’s website. Multiplying 25kWh per 100 miles with the national average of 13.3 cents will give you an average cost of $0.03. This is a very attractive number. These calculations show that electric cars are generally more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective than fuel-based vehicles, particularly if they can be charged with solar energy.
Solar energy isn’t just a residential trend. It is becoming a popular option for auto dealerships to keep a fleet of EVs fully charged and available for test drives. Audi Seattle has been the top-selling brand for its high-performance EVs. Audi purchased a 235kW ESD Solar(r), solar system to offset 50% of its dealership’s electricity consumption. This was done to reduce overhead costs and sustainably support large power supplies. More dealerships will have to find ways to reduce the electric load associated with having electric cars on-site. This will be a challenge as electric vehicle adoption continues to rise. It’s clear that high-efficiency solar + storage solutions are capable of handling the job.
Many automotive companies are increasing the production of electric vehicles within the next few decades. Toyota will launch 60 new hybrid, fuel-cell, and electric vehicles in the next few years. BMW expects hybrid and EV sales to make up 15 to 25% of its worldwide sales. This level of demand and growth will lead to more homeowners and dealers looking for the best ways to support their new electric vehicles. Solar power is not only the most cost-effective, but it’s also extremely reliable and sustainable. We expect more EV owners to go solar. It’s just a matter of cents.
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is one of the top solar panel companies in Florida! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value! For more information Click Here.