If there is one trend that we see everywhere in our way of life these days, it is sustainability. Electric cars are therefore gaining popularity because of their environmental friendliness and low operating costs. A common question asked when buying an electric car is how many solar panels it requires. We will answer that question in this blog!
Solar panels for electric cars: how many are needed?
The number of solar panels on electric cars to generate enough power depends on several factors.
Type of electric car
The type of electric car when asking “How many solar panels are needed for an electric car?” plays a big role. This is because there are different electric cars on the market, each with its own battery size and charging requirements. For example, a small city car with a relatively smaller battery will need less electricity than, say, a large SUV with a heavy battery.
Home energy consumption
Another important factor to consider is the total energy consumption in the home. For example, if a lot of work is done at home that involves the use of electronics, enough panels are needed to meet the energy needs.
Here’s how to calculate how many solar panels are needed for electric cars
How many solar panels are needed for your electric car we will explain with an example. Let’s take as an example that you own a Kia Niro. The consumption of a vehicle like this is 16.5 kWh per 100 kilometers. On average, we drive 15,000 kilometers per year. If we take this as an average, you consume 2475 kWh annually. Quality new solar panels deliver an average of 300 kW per year per panel. This means that you would need 9 solar panels to power one car using solar energy. Do you drive more than 15,000 kilometers per year? Then with 20,000 annual kilometers driven, you would need 11 solar panels.
Wondering how many solar panels are needed for a larger-sized electric car? If so, we’ll use the same math for the following example. Let’s say you have an average-sized electric van. Such a van consumes 20 kWh per 100 kilometers. If you drive 15,000 kilometers a year, you need at least 10 solar panels. In the case of 20,000 kilometers, you need at least 14 solar panels.
So the arithmetic is easy to calculate yourself. The variables required are:
- Average electric consumption per kilometer.
- Annual mileage.
- The watt peak of solar panels.
Every home situation is different. Therefore, you may own several electric cars that you want to power. This is possible and obviously depends on the number of charging stations you can install. When in doubt, it is always advisable to consult a professional in sustainable solar panels.
At how many solar panels for electric cars do you make returns?
The exact number of solar panels with which you make a return depends on the cost of the panels, energy prices and any subsidies. In general, the payback period is 3 to 4 years. It is also possible to buy solar panels with an energy savings loan at 0% interest. What we can do is calculate the savings.
When you feed power back, you get €0.07 per kWH back. So, if we then assume an average electricity rate of €0.40 per kWh, we use the following calculation:
The number of kWh used x (€0.40-€0.07) = savings
So the number of solar panels needed for electric cars depends on many factors. Here it is mainly important to seek advice from a specialist. One thing that is certain is that solar panels generate sustainable electricity. This also reduces your energy costs. For anyone who wants to live optimally sustainable, the purchase of a home battery is also a consideration. With this you make full use of the solar energy generated. This is especially useful when using electric vehicles! Want to know more about charging your electric car, for example with a charging cable across the sidewalk? Then check out this blog.
