Renewable energy has become more and more popular as the cost of fossil fuels has continued to rise. Both electric vehicles and solar power have become commonplace in today’s society, when not too long ago they would have been considered a very futuristic idea. If you currently use solar power at home, and you’re considering purchasing an electric vehicle, you’re likely wondering how installing an EV charger in your home will impact your energy usage and solar power system. Keep reading to learn a few things that solar users should know before putting in an EV charger.

Understanding EV Power Consumption

The exact amount of power an EV will use depends on the make, model, car battery size, and your own driving habits. On average, EVs get about 3 to 4 miles per kWh. If you drive 1,000 miles a month, you would need between 250 and 333 kWh of electricity to keep your car charged. This is a fairly significant load to add to your solar power system, especially if you sized it to only handle your current energy usage habits.

Addressing Your Current Capacity

As just stated, there’s a good chance the size of your current system is based on your energy habits before buying an EV. While it’s recommended to oversize your system a bit to account for energy losses, it’s not common to oversize it enough to keep an EV battery charged. So, you’ll need to assess whether your existing system can meet this increased power demand.

Look at your solar panel output, available energy storage (if you have solar batteries), and your inverter’s capacity. All 3 of these components will need to be able to handle the added load. If you’re not sure that you have the power available for an EV charger, consult with a solar power expert to get help performing the calculations and determining what additional equipment you might need, if any.

Understanding Different Charger Types

You should also do some research into different types of EV chargers. Level 1 chargers are more likely to fit into your current system’s capacity, but they charge much more slowly and may not be practical if you use your EV every day. Level 2 chargers are significantly faster, but they use a lot more power, and make it more likely that you’ll need a system upgrade to accommodate the added load.

Upgrading Your System

If it turns out that you do need to upgrade your system to accommodate an EV charger, be sure to work with a solar expert on expanding your solar array. You will want to ensure that the new panels are compatible with the old ones, and buy Sol-Ark inverters that can handle the increased energy load. A professional can help with all of the necessary calculations and installations.