How to Work for Solar EV Charging Stations

How to Work about Solar EV Charging Stations for Electric Car Charger 

With Europe’s push towards adopting more renewable energy sources, solar-powered EV charging stations are starting to dot the landscape. As of 2023, there are over 250 solar-powered EV charging stations across the country, with many more in the pipeline.

Solar EV charging stations are emerging as a sustainable solution to power electric vehicles while reducing carbon emissions. Recently europe got its first EV charging plaza in Leh-Ladakh with 100kW solar panels and 860kW/h lithium battery storage system. With India targeting 30% private electric car adoption by 2030, solar-powered charging infrastructure will play a crucial role in electrifying transportation in a clean manner.

So, in this blog post let’s see how solar EV charging stations work and what all the components it consists of.

How solar charging station works:
It’s a simple flow of energy, the energy generated by the solar panels gets stored in big batteries, and then from the battery, the energy is transferred into the vehicles via the charging point (EV charger). It’s not possible to charge the EV directly from the shining sun without the interface of a battery.

Step-by-step Explanation:
The solar panels are spread over the roof of the EV charging station exposed naked in front of the sunlight.
Now in the daytime the panels will create DC electricity that will be converted into AC by the inverter and stored in the batteries.
The batteries will then charge other EVs via the charger with the electricity that was created using purely renewable sources of energy.
Although the charging speed will purely depend on the type of charger used, it’s preferred to use slow charging because fast charging requires more energy than is required to fully charge the battery.
These solar panels will be connected to the grid to sell access to the energy created by the solar panels.
How many solar panels are required:
A typical solar panel (with LxWxH = 197.6 x 99.1 x 3.5 Centimeters) rating of 330W can produce 1.2kWh energy in 5 hours exposed to the sun (considering 20% of the capacity).

So, considering you have a charging station in 600 sq yards and you’ve spread the solar panels in 500 sq yards it can produce a total of 750kWh of electricity if exposed to the sun for 5 hours.The 750kWh energy is enough to charge 21 Nexon EVs in a day.

Cost and Benefits of Solar-Powered EV Charging Stations
According to the International Energy Forum, Global energy generation from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which convert sunlight into electricity, rose by 270 terawatt hours (TWh), marking a 26% rise on the previous year. 

Solar energy consumption has significantly increased in recent years, even in India. With installations increasing annually, the installed Solar energy capacity is 85.47 GW as of June 2024. The question is, how does an electric vehicle charging station with a solar PV Panel work? Let’s understand a little more in detail. 

What is an Electric Vehicle Charging Station with a Solar PV panel?
Solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations combine solar photovoltaic (PV) systems by utilizing solar energy to power electric vehicles. This approach reduces fossil fuel consumption and cuts down greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a cleaner environment. With an average of 300 sunny days per year in India, the country has immense potential to harness solar energy. The Indian government's strong push for renewable energy, backed by policies and incentives, further supports this potential.

In the last three FYs, India has attracted $3.8 billion in the solar energy sector. After the initial investment in solar panels and installation, the ongoing operational costs are relatively low. Solar energy is free, and maintenance costs are minimal compared to traditional energy sources. This economic advantage makes solar-powered charging stations an attractive option for both public and private investments. 

Economic Benefits of Solar-Powered EV Charging Stations
The economic benefits of solar-powered EV charging stations are multifaceted. These include lower per-unit energy costs, substantial consumer savings, reduced overall cost of EV ownership, and a range of financial incentives. Let’s learn more about each of these in detail.

Per-Unit Cost Comparison Between Solar and Grid Power
One of the most compelling economic benefits of solar-powered EV charging stations is the cost savings associated with generating electricity from solar energy compared to grid power. The per-unit cost of solar power has decreased significantly over the past decade due to advancements in technology, increased production, and economies of scale. 
Read about Understanding Vehicle to Grid (V2G) Technology