Photovoltaics for electric cars
Never fuel up again.
Charge your EV with solar electricity
The future belongs to electromobility
Advantages of e-mobility
Charge your electric car with photovoltaics and save money
What do I need to charge my EV with photovoltaics?
What components do I need to charge my EV?
What charging cables are available for EV charging?
What are the different EV connector types?
Charging your electric car with your own EV charger
Government funding for your charging point
Charge your EV with solar electricity
The future belongs to electromobility But where do electric cars get their electricity? The best and most sustainable method is to charge your EV using solar-powered electricity from your own solar power system! Not only is this method good for the environment and the climate, it also makes good financial sense to charge your EV using electricity from photovoltaics. This guide sets out what you need to achieve this and the advantages this solution offers.
The future belongs to electromobility
The future of cars lies in electromobility, also known as e-mobility, which is making great strides forward in Australia and beyond. The strong growth of electromobility in Australia is reflected in rapidly increasing EV registration figures. Yet, this is just the beginning. By 2030, electric cars will account for one-third of all newly registered vehicles in many countries around the world.
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Get advice about using photovoltaics to support your e-mobility!
Advantages of e-mobility: Good for the climate – and for you
Electromobility is on the rise because it offers clear advantages, both for drivers and for society as a whole. The most significant advantages of e-mobility are:
- Clean: Low emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants
- Quiet: Less noise pollution
- Convenient: Charge at home or on the go instead of searching for petrol stations
- Dynamic: An excellent driving experience, guaranteed
- Affordable: Low mobility costs
Charging your electric car with self-generated electricity from your own solar power system not only makes you more independent but also enables you to get around more cost-efficiently.
Charge your electric car with photovoltaics and save money
An electric car has lower running costs than a petrol or diesel car – even when charged with electricity from the grid instead of a photovoltaic system. EV's are good value when you include maintenance and fuel costs. This is because EVs are 70% cheaper to refuel (saving the average driver $1,600 per year) and have fewer moving parts (saving drivers around $400 per year on maintenance).
What do I need to charge my EV with photovoltaics?
If you would like to charge your electric car with self-generated electricity, you need a photovoltaic system – and a house with a roof capable of supporting a solar power system. If you want to supply your own home with electricity, you should also invest in an electricity storage system, because otherwise you’ll have to feed surplus solar electricity into the grid and buy electricity back from the grid at higher prices when you need it. You can have your EV charger – your domestic EV charging point – installed in your garage or car port, either fixed to the wall or as a free-starting pillar. All that matters is that you have it installed on your private property.
What components do I need to charge my EV?
Thinking of using a photovoltaic system to generate electricity to charge your EV? Electric cars increase your electricity needs. So, you should plan a PV system that is as big as possible. Take advantage of your roof with the help of SENEC solar modules. Your SENEC installer can calculate how big your photovoltaic system needs to be – and what will fit on your roof.
People who want to supply their own solar-powered electricity need a storage device such as SENEC.Home so that they can use solar electricity around the clock. If SENEC.Home is intelligently networked with your PV system and EV charger, you can always charge your electric car with solar electricity when the sun is shining. This enhances your energy independence.
Charge your EV at home with a domestic charging point. Intelligently networked with the PV system and battery, the EV charger draws as much electricity as possible from your solar power system. In the SENEC.App, you can select between solar-optimised charging or charging your car as fast as possible.
Our experts would be happy to advise you, free of charge
Get advice about using photovoltaics to support your e-mobility!
What charging cables are available for EV charging?
There are two types of charging cable: Mode 2 and Mode 3. Mode 2 cables are often supplied with EVs as standard so that they can be connected to a household electrical socket in an emergency. Charging with a EV charger requires a Mode 3 cable.
What are the different EV connector types?
There are various connectors available for charging an electric car. The Type 2 connector has won through and become the market standard in Australia, and is inserted into the side of the EV charger. This is also the connector to use with the SENEC.EVcharger. There is also the CCS connector, effectively an upgraded Type 2 connector, which has a fast-charging function and supports AC and DC charging. Other connector types do exist but are mainly prevalent in Asia.
Charging your electric car with your own EV charger
If you want to charge your EV at home, you need to have an EV charger. So, what are the biggest advantages of a domestic charging point for independent e-mobility?
- High charging capacity
- Your charging point is always available and offers a safe, effective place to charge your EV
- You can charge your electric car using your photovoltaic system and electricity storage system – and stay mobile with self-generated electricity.
Government funding for your charging point
Government funding is available to help you purchase an electric car and install an EV charger.
Don’t miss out on funding for your electric car and secure a subsidy to help you embrace electromobility.
You can find out what funding is available in your local area by contacting your local Council or State Government. Schemes and incentives keeping changing and it's a rapidly evolving space.