How Many Solar Panels Do I Need To Power My EV Charger?
If one thing is true about the current automotive market, electric vehicles, aka EVs, aren’t going anywhere. And if you are one of the drivers who have jumped into the electric trend, then you’re likely curious how to sustainably charge your EV at home. But how many solar panels do you need?
Well, it all depends, and our team at Solar Bear Orlando is here to help. Let’s discuss!
Understanding Your EV Charger Needs
The first step in understanding how many panels you will need is to figure out how much energy your EV charger uses. This can vary based on the charger and the vehicle’s specifications.
Generally, most EV chargers will typically require between 3.3 kW to 7.2 kW to function most efficiently, but again, this depends on the model itself. We recommend checking your owner’s manual for more information.
Calculating Your Energy Requirements
The next important consideration is how often you need to charge your vehicle and how much energy you use. If you charge your EV every day and it uses 7.2 kW, you will need to generate 216 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of energy per month.
Read More > What is Florida’s Average kWh Per Day?
Estimating How Many Solar Panels You’ll Need
Now, let’s discuss solar panels. The average solar panel that we install produces about 300 watts of power. If you get around 5 hours of sunlight a day, that means that a single solar panel can produce about 1.5 kWh of energy a day, or about 45 kWh a month.
To calculate how many panels you need, use this formula:
Total monthly energy consumption (kWh) ÷ Monthly energy production per panel (kWh)
So, if we use the earlier example: 216 kWh (for the EV charger) ÷ 45 kWh (produced per solar panel) = 4.8 panels
If you follow this example, you would need about 5 panels to adequately power your EV charger.
Remember, this is just an example. The number of panels that you will need will depend on your specific EV’s battery size, your driving habits, and your solar panel’s size and overall efficiency.
Note: We always like to recommend considering some extra capacity for efficiency losses and future energy needs, as your driving habits or vehicle may change.
Let’s Power Your EV
Ready to power your electric vehicle at your Central Florida home with the power of the sun? You’ve found the right team! Here at Solar Bear Orlando, we are happy to assess your energy needs, evaluate your roof’s solar potential, and design a custom system just for you.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, feel free to reach out to us at (727) 353-3886. We’re excited to get started on your solar project!