New Solar Charging Station Details
The solar-powered EV charging stations power 24 cities and towns, but there are 30 of them in total. Of these new stations, 20 are at health care centers. Does that seem odd to you? I wondered if there was some Covid-19 connection , but it turns out the connection is more general: With input from public and private stakeholders, Electrify America identified educational and health care institutions as ideal charging points due to high amounts of traffic and extended hours of access. Locations were selected after further analyzing communities with the greatest need for charging, existing charging options and local travel patterns, among other factors.
The stations themselves are EV ARC charging stations from Beam Global . Thats a California company, so Electrify America is also helping to create or support more state jobs with this rollout. Energy storage is built into the stations, allowing for charging at any time whether its night, stormy, or the region is facing a blackout.
The full list of stations can be found here. Whether youre looking for a station in rural California or anywhere else in the United States or Canada, you can use the companys Locate a Charger tool. The app also indicates if the station is solar powered, which warms my heart.
Screenshot from Electrify America website.
Solar Power Is The Best Option For Charging Electric Vehicles
Vehicles have gone through many new upgrades in the last decade. Everything from backup cameras to smart technology and running on electricity instead of gas has shaped the modern driving experience. While driving has changed for the future, so has the way motorists fill their tanks or charge their vehicles. Find out more about charging stations and the best choice in our comparison guide on charging an electric vehicle at home versus public charging stations.
Are Portable Solar Chargers Worth It
Portable solar chargers make the world a better place for everyone. The most significant benefit of electric cars, apart from being more cost-effective, is that it is the most eco-friendly vehicle. This doesnt mean anything if the power source isnt good for the environment. Regular electricity involves the burning of fossil fuels which releases harmful gasses. This breaks down the atmosphere and leads to global warming.
Solar chargers dont harm the environment in any way, bringing back the eco-friendliness of electric cars. Theyre also portable, making them more convenient. You can use them anywhere, so you arent bound to a single spot while your car charges.
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How Much Does A Solar Ev Charger Cost
In general, purchasing and installing an EV charger can cost anywhere between $2k and $3k, but this figure may vary depending on several factors, such as whether trenching is required. As a result, charging your EV consumes electricity from your existing solar power system at home that would otherwise be used to power your home.
But What About Portable Solar Chargers
Youve seen portable solar chargers for phones, tablets, and laptops. Theyre usually small batteries hooked up to a single solar panel and work great for camping or other off-grid activities. But is there a portable solar charger for an EV?
The answer is no. While there could be one day, todays technology doesnt support portable solar charging for EVs. Even onboard solar panels wouldnt do the trick just yet.
To charge using a portable solar system would take far too long. Were talking hundreds of hours, and youd need lots of solar panels. So, its not practical now, but it could be someday.
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The Future Is Here Lumos Solar Powered Ev Charging Stations
Lumos Solar Powered EV Charging Stations make a sleek entrance at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, courtesy of Electrify America! Combining cutting-edge technology with solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations is the way forward. As we look to find solutions to our climate crises and turn more to sustainable energy sources, what a winning strategy to charge our vehicles with clean energy from the sun through solar energy. Our award-winning LSX solar panels appear to float above our SolarScapes offering shade and protection as vehicles get a quick charge! The future is here ~
National Corvette Museum, Electrify America, Lumos Solar Powered EV Charging Stations by Day~
National Corvette Museum, Electrify America, Lumos Solar Powered EV Charging Stations by Night ~
Lumos Solar has completed thousands of projects for businesses, institutions, municipalities, schools and residences across North America. Check out some of our amazing Projects
Check out our latest product, award-winning, standalone solar charging workstations, theSolarZone!
SolarZone install at a shared workspace in Denver
SolarSolarSolar
The SolarZone was selected as a winner of the Architectural Products Magazine 2020 Product Innovation Award and is listed as one of the 2020 Top Solar Mounting Products Carports/Canopy Systems in Solar Power World.
When To Charge Your Tesla For A Full Solar Power Charge
The battery in your Tesla should be charged at least once a year. You can schedule your Tesla X to charge between 1 and 4 p.m. if youre home during the day. Whats the most efficient way to charge an EV? In terms of cost and convenience, charging your electric vehicle at home is the most cost-effective and convenient method. Most EV owners can charge their car completely overnight using their own chargepoints. As a result of this, you may experience an increase in electricity consumption at home, which could reach 80%. Is it better to use electricity in the day or night with solar panels? Solar panels produce the most electricity when the sun is directly overhead in the middle of the day and in the afternoon.
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Can I Use A Portable Solar Panel To Charge My Tesla
The conclusion is that nothing can be gained from this. It is not possible to charge a Tesla with a portable solar panel. An electric vehicle consumes far more energy than the amount of energy produced by a single panel. You can put in a solar energy system that will allow you to charge your Tesla without having to rely on utility power.
Top 5 Portable Solar Panels
Solar panels with various capacities and features are available on the market today. When you research which panels are currently available, compare them to what you need. Because portable solar panels come in a variety of sizes, you should select one that is both affordable and meets your needs. To understand how the solar panel can power small electronics and appliances, such as a microwave oven, you must first understand that it will be able to do so depending on its size and efficiency. When using a large device, such as a Tesla, you should select a panel with a higher wattage to power it. If you want to install a solar system that will be able to provide power to a Tesla, youll need a panel with a higher wattage. A Tesla with a charge rate of 18.1kWh per 62.13 miles requires an average of eight solar panels with 400 watts of power per watt. Because Americans drive 13,476 miles per year, a power output of 3.2 kW of DC should suffice.
When Solar Charging Isnt A Good Idea
The numbers we gave above are averages that show the general benefits of solar and EVs together. There will always be specific cases where charging an EV from solar isnt the best choice.
Specifically, if your state doesnt offer net metering, your utility has very low overnight energy prices on a TOU plan, or your roof isnt right for solar because its too shaded, you might be better off charging your electric car from the grid.
Learn more: 7 reasons why you should hold off on solar panels
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How Does Solar Panel Charging Work
Solar panel charging is easy to wrap your head around.
- Your solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity
- An inverter, part of your solar system, converts that DC electricity to AC electricity
- The AC electricity is fed to your distribution board to power devices, while surplus electricity is stored in a battery
- The smart EV charger takes the AC electricity generated by the solar panels and charges your EV, either directly from the distribution board, or via the battery
- The charger can use 100% solar power to charge an EV, or it can use a combination of solar + grid to achieve the fastest charging speeds
- When AC power flows through the cable into your EV, your EVs onboard charger converts the AC electricity back into DC electricity.
Should I Charge My Ev With Solar Panels
You should charge your EV with solar panels only if you want the cheapest, cleanest, and most convenient driving experience possible.
In other words yes.
The obvious hurdle is upfront cost for both EVs and solar panels. However, the IRA created beefed-up incentives for both things, including a $7,500 tax credit for new EVs and 30% tax credit for solar and battery, which can help soften the blow.
Heres the other way to look at it: Charging your EV with solar costs about 50% less than charging with grid power and at least 75% less than public charging or gas. All youre doing is buying 25+ years worth of fuel at once for a significant discount just like buying bulk at Costco.
Solar panels are a cost-effective way to fuel your electric car and may require anywhere from 5 to 12 solar panels. You can use the averages above as a benchmark when doing your own analysis, and if you ever need help do not hesitate to talk with one of our energy advisors today!
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Envision Solar And Chargepoint Announce An International Partnership To Offer Solar Powered Ev Charging Anywhere
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. Envision Solar International, Inc., , the leading renewable energy, media and branding and EV charging product company and ChargePoint, the worlds largest EV charging network, are pleased to announce a new partnership agreement.
The agreement covers the US and Canada and will enable both companies to offer ChargePoint chargers on Envision Solars solar powered EV charging products. ChargePoints rapidly growing customer base will be able to access EV charging in locations where it is too difficult or expensive to install utility grid-tied units. The EVs charged on ChargePoint and Envsions combined products will be truly emissions free and their owners will enjoy the fun and environmentally excellent experience of driving on sunshine.
ChargePoint is thrilled to be working with Envision Solar to bring this new product to our customers. With the EV ARC, Envision Solar is helping ChargePoint and the rest of the industry continue the growth of electric vehicles, said Pasquale Romano, CEO of ChargePoint. Businesses can reduce their costs while giving their employees and customers a clean way to charge their cars.
The combination of the EV ARC and the ChargePoint network is very powerful, said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Envision Solar. Together we are providing no hassle deployments in minutes, driving on sunshine and the largest EV charging network in the world. We see this as a great opportunity to expand both businesses.
What Is The Tax Write Off For Ev Chargers
The federal tax credit for electric vehicle chargers originally expired on December 31, 2021. However, the Inflation Reduction Acts Alternative Fuel Refueling Property tax credit extends the EV charger tax incentive ten yearsthrough December 31, 2032.
So, what does that mean for you? Essentially, if you install a home EV charging station, the tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act is 30% of the cost of hardware and installation, up to $1,000. Also, beginning in 2023, the tax credit for business and home installations, will apply to other EV charging equipment like bidirectional chargers.
Businesses that that install new EV chargers or EV charging equipment can also benefit from a tax incentive of up to 30% of the total cost of equipment and installation. But they will have to meet certain labor and construction requirements to be eligible to claim the full incentive.
Before the Inflation Reduction Act, the limit on the amount of the EV charger tax credit for businesses was $30,000 . However, under the new law, if you complete the business installation project after 2022, the tax credit per property item, is up to $100,000 per EV charger.
All of this means that while electric vehicle chargers are not entirely tax deductible, you might benefit, to some degree, from the tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act that apply for refueling property.
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Other Benefits Of Charging Your Ev At Home
If you have an electric vehicle or are planning on buying your first electric car, you are probably thinking about charging your EV at home. Most people still rely on gas to keep their vehicle running, the thought of having your car charged in the comfort of your home sounds like a dream, but its not. Youll find more benefits from charging at home than at a public charging station. Its convenient, can save you money, is better for your battery, and helps your property increase your homes value. If youre still on the fence, here are some other benefits of charging your EV at home.
Home EV chargers are convenient.
- Public electric vehicle charging stations are nowhere near as common or convenient as gas stations. Not yet, anyway. With this comes many problems, like finding a public charging station when out and about. Replenishing the battery on the road can be surprisingly costly sometimes. However, with a home charger, you can plug it in when at home. Charging at home makes driving easier than ever. It gets even better if you upgrade to a level 2 home charger to increase how fast you can charge your EV.
Home electric vehicle chargers give you more control.
Longer battery life with a home electric car charger.
An EVSE at home can boost your homes value.
Why Do You Need An Electric Car Charging Station
You can charge with a higher power, which means faster charging compared to a regular socket.
A charging station is also safer because it can avoid overheating as the charging box itself can communicate any faults and stop the charging.
Furthermore, some charging stations have functions that allow you to auto-set time for charging, retrieve statistics or charge when electricity is at its cheapest and etc. Read more about what charger and charging features we offer.
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Charging Times And Dc Fast Chargers
If charging speed is important to you, DC fast chargers may be an option. A standard 7.6 kW charger can charge a 16 kWh battery in about two hours and a 90 kWh battery in ten to 12 hours. However, a 50 kW DC fast charger can charge a 16 kWh battery in just 20 minutes and a 90 kWh battery in under two hours.
While those charging speeds sound attractive, they come at a high price. A DC fast charger can costs upwards of $60,000.
Bids Invited To Set Up 47 Solar Ev Charging Stations In Indore
- Bids Invited to Set Up 47 Solar EV Charging Stations in Indore
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Atal Indore City Transport Service , a special purpose vehicle operating the citys public transport, has invited bids to select an agency for establishing, operating, and maintaining 47 solar integrated electric vehicle charging stations in the city.
The EV charging stations are to be set up within six months of signing the contract. They would be established on a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer mode for 12 years.
The charging stations are to be developed under two categories. Category A includes ten charging stations for electric four-wheelers, and category B includes 37 charging stations for electric two and three-wheelers.
The last date for submission of the bids is October 20, 2022. Bids will be opened the next day.
Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of 423,000 .
Bidders must pay construction and O& M performance security of 20,000 for each charging station under category B and 40,000 for every charging station under Category A.
AICTSL has recommended sites where the charging stations are to be set up.
Bidders should have designed, procured, and installed a minimum of 30 EV charging stations for any state or public sector undertaking or central and other government bodies on the public-private partnership model. These stations must be operational at the time of issuing the tender.
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Level 3 Charging Speed
Also known as DC fast charging youll find these most often at public charging stations. This is because they charge faster than any other level charger, so you can get back on the road quickly. Level 3 chargers add 40-50+ miles per hour and in under 30 minutes you can charge up to 80% of your battery.
How Portable Solar Car Chargers Work
Using a portable solar car charger is as easy as driving a car! If theres sunlight and a spot for your car to stand still for a while, youll be ready to hit the road again in a flash. These chargers plug into your car like any other car charger. The difference is on the other side of the wiring at the power source. Where there used to be a charging station, there is now a portable solar panel.
You mount the panel to a spot where it will get optimal sunlight. Many people prefer putting it on the roof of their cars. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can find any other uncovered spot. All you have to do is wait for the solar panels to do their job. There are no extra costs involved in the process, and you can enjoy your daily excursions while your car charges.
If youre planning to charge your car fully before driving off again, youll need between 6 and 8 hours. This may not sound ideal if youre in a rush, but the benefits of electric cars outweigh this slight inconvenience. I suggest planning your trips with a few favorite spots in mind.
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