Electric vehicles offer several key benefits: reduced dependence on fossil fuels, improved air quality, reduced emissions, quieter operation, and lower fuel costs. Like many EV owners, you do your due diligence to ensure you have adequate power for your vehicle. With cleaner renewable power supplies, solar panels and EVs are natural companions. Your search for “solar companies near me” led you to this helpful guide, so keep reading to learn how solar panels can benefit your EV usage.
Generating Savings
Charging your EV with solar energy is a logical solution. By using a renewable energy source, you can reduce your overall household costs. You can use solar panels to power either a dedicated EV home charging station or your entire household.
Dedicated Charging Stations
With a dedicated solar photovoltaic EV charging system, you can directly charge your vehicle without using your household power. This system incorporates solar panels into a standalone charging station. Besides solar panels and an outlet, you will need an inverter to convert the DC current produced by the solar panels into AC current to power your vehicle. If desired, you can also integrate a battery system to store excess current in the charging station.
Whole-House Solar Power
If you’re ready to make the leap to renewable energy for your entire household, you may want to consider upgrading to a whole-home solar panel system. These systems typically come in two forms: grid-tied and off-grid. Each has its own unique design and benefits:
- Grid-tied systems use solar panels to generate DC current converted to AC current by an inverter connected to the local power grid. Once the current has been converted, the inverter feeds it into the overall grid.
- Off-grid systems generate power in a similar way, but the inverter stores the power in a local battery supply on the property. An off-grid system is completely self-contained and does not require any reliance on local power companies.
Exploring these options in-depth is key to choosing one that best fits your needs. Experienced and reputable solar companies in Houston can help you during this process.
Less Strain on the Grid
Dedicated EV chargers and whole-house solar power systems both reduce strain on the local power grid. Dedicated charging stations and off-grid whole-home systems do not rely on the local grid at all. Meanwhile, a grid-tied system reduces how much power you source from the grid and feeds excess current into the grid for others to use. Through net metering, your local power company gives you credits on your utility bill to reimburse you for this excess current.
EVs and Solar Panels: Energy-Smart Solutions
Renewable energy is critical to our future. As an EV owner, you’re already part of the revolution to shift how we power our lives. Paired with solar panels, electric vehicles further maximize the benefit of clean and convenient transportation. When choosing a provider for solar panels in Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, or other Texas communities, select a reputable company with a track record of high-quality products and installations, careful attention to detail, and exceptional customer service.
