The word of the year is sustainability, and with good reason. With the growing negative consequences of improper management of nonrenewable energy supplies, industries must urgently develop greener alternatives. A solar electric vehicle is wholly or primarily powered by solar energy. With the help of a solar car charger, solar energy is turned into electrical energy.
How Does a Solar Charger Work?
Utilising solar energy instead of nonrenewable energy sources like gasoline, diesel, or compressed natural gas is a far more environmentally friendly option than using photovoltaic cells. Solar car chargers convert solar energy into electrical energy by generating electrical current. Solar vehicle battery chargers can provide an unlimited supply of power to fuel cars because the sun always releases massive amounts of energy.
One may prefer to charge their electric car directly from the domestic solar panel system if they are around when the sun is shining. It generates solar energy when it is required. However, a solar charger is recommended if the electric car owner wants to charge their EV overnight. The energy reserved in the grid will charge your car overnight with a battery storage system. This is because solar batteries can store any excess amount of solar energy generated by the solar panels and use it when the appliances, such as an electric vehicles, require it.
Is Using Solar EV Chargers Effective?
Using solar energy to charge your EV means that your driving is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. However, how much electricity the charger can generate is determined by many factors, including the construction quality and the sunlight’s strength. These chargers produce electricity ranging from 500 mA to 1,500 mA on average. As a result, solar chargers work better than trickles. The greatest limitation is that many chargers do not come with a voltage regulation device, which can be used to alter or stop the flow of power. This implies that a solar car charger cannot be left unmonitored, unlike a float-monitoring trickle charger.
The ideal solar car charger method involves starting with higher amperage and gradually reducing it as the charging level increases. Premium solar compatible chargers can automatically regulate the amperage, while some have controls. These let the user choose the charging rates to begin and end with.
The Advantages Outweigh the Limitations!
Solar EV Chargers use PV cells to convert solar energy into direct current or DC. There are a few notable limitations while using PV cells for charging an electric vehicle.
Solar chargers depend on the amount of sunlight on a particular day. If the sun plays hooky where you live, you might worry. However, all the energy absorbed when the sun is around is not squandered. Rather, it is reserved in the grid.
Although photovoltaic cells seem like a pricey purchase, they are worth it. A PV cell to charge your electric vehicle is a valuable investment. On the other hand, fuel is a regular expense subject to price variation.
Solar vehicles are presently sold only as demonstration vehicles and engineering exercises, generally supported by government entities, rather than everyday mobility devices. However, indirectly solar-charged vehicles are very common.
Electric cars with solar panels on the roof for charging are still a new concept, and therefore, you’ll probably need to use a domestic solar system to charge your EV and power your home. To figure out how much solar energy is required by a particular electric vehicle, you’ll need to know the EV’s mileage rating and how much electricity it uses.