SOLAR
A Green, Mean Solar Machine So you’ve bought your electric vehicle. Nice. Planet saved. Or is it? What about the electricity used to charge your EV? How do you keep your ‘green’ car ‘green’? There must be a better way than syphoning energy off the grid?
POWER IT WITH SUNSHINE It is a common misconception that EV chargers use solar power. Most suck it off the grid like water through a straw, thwarting your pure intentions. Solarpro talked to Beaches COVERED. about how you can charge your EV with solar power keeping it eco focused. “Most people are surprised when they find out that if they use a standard EV charger, their ‘green’ car will be charged from coal-based electricity even if solar power is available,” explained David.
WHAT IS AN EV SOLAR CHARGER? EV Chargers work by using the energy generated from your solar power system and using it to power your car. However, there are a lot of variables to consider. Solar can be slow to charge and your car will often drain your entire household supply.
This wall mounted solar inverter allows you to charge your car from the grid in conjunction with solar power. This really cool feature can maximise efficiency. Using a hybrid of solar and off-the-grid energy allows it to charge up to four times faster than other chargers. The beauty of this system is that you have full control over which energy you use. If you are in a hurry you can pull energy off the grid for a rapid charge. If time is not an issue you can ensure to slow charge your EV using only solar power. You can also program a charge schedule ensuring you only use off-peak energy. “We are selling a lot of these. It gives you full visibility of the energy that you are using,” explained David.
SOLAREDGE EV CHARGER AND INVERTER
Energy usage can be controlled and tracked from your phone. Using the SolarEdge app, you can remotely turn your EV charger off/on, track solar, EV and grid consumption, charging status and duration. This full visibility allows you to manage your overall household efficiency.
David told us about the SolarEdge EV Charger and Inverter. It is the world’s first EV charging inverter which charges with renewable and non-renewable energy.
EV solar chargers are relatively inexpensive, making the payback period
A LOGICAL INVESTMENT
short. On top of this they provide large returns, saving you money on charging stations or electricity from the grid. In theory, if you can rely on solar power to charge your EV, you can eliminate fuel costs completely, saving costs to both your pocket and the environment.
THINK AHEAD ‘We recommend that if you own an EV or think you are likely to in the future, you should install a SolarEdge Inverter and EV Charger now so that you are set up,” explained David. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. With government incentives available, it is likely that your next car will be electric. Solarpro recommends that you think ahead. If renovating, think about installing a Solar EV charger Inverter. It won’t be long before you need it. “We hear comments from our customers that they are setting themselves up now not just for their own vehicle but assuming their kids will have them as well,” said David. Head into the Solarpro showroom for more details about the EV Inverter or to discuss all things solar. •
SOLARPRO // (02) 9453 1485 // INFO@SOLARPRO.COM.AU // INSTA @SOLARPROSYDNEY // 94 // Beaches COVERED.
www.solarpro.com.au
WORDS: LAUREN GOLDSACK // PHOTOGRAPHY: SOLARPRO
Beaches COVERED. caught up with David Veal, Managing Director of Solarpro to get the low down on EV solar chargers.
