Can My Home Solar System Produce Enough Power To Charge My Car?
The simple answer is yes. Depending on the electric car you choose, your solar installation company can design a solar array to meet your lifestyle’s needs.
North Carolina local, Ezra Dryer, produced an article in a 2016 issue of Popular Mechanics after testing how his solar array would hold up in producing enough electricity to power 3 electric vehicles: Tesla X, Gem e4, and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
He concludes the article by posing the question, “Would you prepay for three years of gas if it meant that you would never pay for it again?” Turns out that the payback on his solar array went from 8 years to 3 after trading in his gas guzzling vehicle for an electric vehicle.
Imagine pulling up to your local service station and filling your tank for free. Dryer points out the inconsistencies between the free electric charging stations all over the country and how we are required to pay for every ounce of gasoline. Electricity isn’t free. So where does it come from? Who pays for it? You sure don’t.
Its time to sit down and do the math. The rebates are out, and they won’t be around forever. How much can you save by investing in solar?
What size PV system does my home need to power my vehicle?
Saving money and trying to achieve an emission free lifestyle are one in the same. Solar panels and electric cars are a match made in heaven! Solar prices are falling and with the new incentives and rebates, solar is more affordable then ever. Waiting to install solar could hinder your ability to take advantage of current solar incentives. Not to mention, the longer you wait, the more you are paying into your current electric providers pocket.
While electric cars cannot be measured by the standard MPG, the U.S. Department Of Energy uses a similar system- MPGe. To find the right fit, you can compare electric cars at FuelEconomy.com.
Prepare yourself to speak with your local solar installers. Gather information on your current energy usage, and think about your future energy usage. Figure out the average miles you drive and determine how much MPGe you will need to meet that goal. With this information you can speak with a solar installation company to figure out what size system is right for your needs.
If this is all too much at once, there are other options. It is possible to install a solar array on your roof with the intention of expanding it in the future. Upgrades to your solar system are not complicated and would allow you time to adjust to life in the solar industry. Start by placing a call to your local solar installation company, SolFarm Solar, and researching which electric car is the best for you.
We’ll take it from there.
