How about installing photovoltaic solar panels?
With Beev, get a turnkey solar panel solution to reduce your electricity consumption.
What are solar panels?
Solar panels harness, as the name suggests, energy from the sun. Respectful of the environment, they produce and store this energy, which is transformed into electricity thanks to photovoltaic technology. You can then use it to power your electric car, enabling you to be both user and producer of clean energy.
What are the benefits?
The use of photovoltaic panels to recharge electric cars is a promising alternative to traditional energy sources.. The combination of a photovoltaic solar panel and an electric vehicle recharging solution offers a number of advantages, and represents a solution that is both economical and environmentally friendly. an economical and ecological solution for the production and use of solar energy.
From an economic point of view
The average annual energy consumption for a household is around 4,500 kWh. Adding the charging needs of an electric car increases this consumption. So charging your own electric car increases your annual electricity bill.
The use of solar panels to charge the car may be a sensible option, although home home charging of an electric vehicle is still generally more economical than :
- on public terminals,
- or a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Also read : Comparison between electric and combustion-powered cars
Solar panels, on the other hand, further reduce the cost of recharging and provide a degree of autonomy. Installing these panels means significant energy savings. Thanks to self-consumption, locally-generated green electricity is used, reducing dependence on the grid and energy purchases.
If the installation qualifies, the unused energy can be resale of unused energy is possible. The tariffs are set quarterly by the government for this purpose, helping to reduce energy bills. As a result, your photovoltaic system will be more profitable. To give you an idea, surplus electricity from a solar installation of 9 kWp or less is bought back at a rate of €0.10 per kWh.
However, the expenses to be anticipated from the photovoltaic system are as follows:
- purchasing costs,
- installation costs,
- the cost of repairing the photovoltaic system.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that these expenses in question are more predictable than fluctuations in energy pricesespecially in times of inflation. It is also estimated that a solar installation pays for itself in around 10 years.
From an ecological point of view
Choosing an electric car is in itself an ecological act. It is estimated that in France emit 2 to 3 times less greenhouse gases than a combustion-powered car over its lifetime. However, the development of these vehicles naturally increases our demand for electricity. This has led to the realization that some sources of electricity are less polluting than others, notably solar power.
The use of solar panels to generate electricity represents an ecological environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuelsIt avoids the use of electricity generated by non-renewable fuels. What's more, resale of the surplus contributes to the production and supply of clean energy.
What's more, almost all almost all solar panels can be recycled.. The percentage of recovery varies between 85% and 95%, depending on their composition. For example, glass, the main component of solar panels, is infinitely recyclable.
All in all, choosing to recharge your electric car with solar panels represents a double-impact ecological gesture !
For more information on this subject, please consult our white paper "Photovoltaic panels for dummies"
Where to place your solar panels?
Note that an electric car consumes an average of 3,500 kWh per yearor nearly 80% of the consumption of a French household4,500 kWh on average, as previously stated.
This makes installing solar panels an attractive option. So choosing the ideal location for your solar panels is crucial to maximizing their efficiency and making the most of your investment.
On the roof of your home
Rooftops are increasingly being fitted with solar panels. They generally offer a large, open spacesideal for this type of installation. They can be found on both industrial buildings and private homes, which partly explains their growing popularity. This versatility offers the possibility of storing surplus energy or selling it back to the electricity supplier.
However, you should the orientation and inclination of the roof before embarking on a solar project. Although a south-facing orientation and a 30° pitch are recommended, other configurations are also possible.
By opting for this alternative, your solar panels will be able to supply electricity to your home as well as to your vehicle's battery.electricity to your home and vehicle battery.. What's more, you'll be able topower a storage battery so you can reuse this electricity at a later date, for example to recharge your car at night.
Installing a solar carport
A solar carport (or photovoltaic shade) is a covered structure structure equipped with photovoltaic panels on its roof for parking and recharging vehicles. The carport is equipped with an inverter solar inverter or micro-inverter which converts the direct current generated by the panels into alternating current. This type of current is used to recharge cars and other electrical appliances.
This means installing a to charge your electric car. What's more, it protects your vehicle from the elements and is easy to install. This solution is often adopted by those without a garage, offering a convenient way of recharging their vehicle.
These carports generally accommodate one or two cars at home, but can also accommodate more in parking lots. Some models are up to 40 m² in size.
To optimize the recharging of your electric car, it is best to take advantage of theideal sunshinefrequently in the afternoon, as with traditional solar panels.
Also read : Mandatory photovoltaic shading for parking lots: an energy transition measure
Other solar panel locations
More and more options are becoming available for installing solar panels at home, if you prefer to avoid modifying your roof. Among the options available, we have :
- solar tiles,
- the solar pergola,
- ground-mounted solar panels.
Good to know A 100 m² house occupied by a family of 3 or 4 people requires between 8 and 10 solar panels, equivalent to around 3 kWp (kilowatt-peak). With adequate sunshine, this installation can supply the car for a week, taking into account the French national average of 30 km per person per day.
How many panels are needed for electric recharging?
The number of solar panels required varies from one home/car park to another, depending on the following factors:
- The composition of your household,
- The surface area of your home's roof,
- The total budget to be allocated to this investment,
- The battery capacity of your electric car,
- The power of the solar panels you select.
Good to know The sunny location of your home, with southern exposure and a 30° angle of inclination, offers optimal production. In the case of poor orientation, more panels are needed to achieve the desired energy levels.
Alternatively, if you would like to estimate your energy requirements, follow these guidelines:
- Find out about your electric car's consumption in kilowatt-hours per kilometer.
- Multiply this figure by the average distance you travel every day.
- Divide the total by the maximum number of hours of sunshine in your area.
This will give you the ideal output of your solar system in kilowatts. You can then divide this result by the kilowatt-hour efficiency of your solar panels to determine the number of panels required.
What price should we expect for solar panel installation?
First of all, of course, you need a charging station if you haven't already done so. Prices range from €500 to €2,000 for wall-mounted charging stations, depending on :
- The terminal model,
- Geographical location,
- The complexity of the installation,
- The electrical power of the terminal,
- The distance between the electrical panel and the terminal (cable length).
For this purpose, Beev offers you a selection of charging solutions to meet all your needs. Don't hesitate to contact our experts so that they can help you with your home charging station installation or if you wish to equip your company with a charging station.
Secondly, the cost of installation of solar panels varies not only from region to region, but also according to a number of factors:
- Building integration,
- Installed capacity,
- The complexity of the installation,
- The presence of self-consumption,
- Connection to the power grid.
Prices are generally as follows:
| INSTALLED CAPACITY | COST OF INSTALLATION |
|---|---|
|
3 kWp
|
9000 €
|
|
6 kWp
|
15 000 €
|
|
9 kWp
|
20 000 €
|
As a third step, you can equip yourself with a solar kitThe main factors influencing price are installed power and location. Prices start at around €1,600, rising to €10,000 depending on the power required.
This kit provides you with :
- Solar equipment,
- Electrical distribution and protection systems,
- Support or frame for rooftop solar panels,
- Electrical equipment for recharging electric cars.
Good to know Calling on RGE-certified experts (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) certification and hold the QualiPV is essential when installing solar panels. Introduced in 2011, this label aims to ensure the expertise of companies involved in energy renovation projects.
Support for installing solar panels
Installing solar panels on your electric car represents a considerable investment. Fortunately, there are many grants and subsidies available to help you finance your project and make it more affordable.
The self-consumption bonus
The French government has introduced a self-consumption bonus to help households finance the installation of solar panels. This aid is only available to those who favor self-consumption with sale of surplus (and not total sale).
From now on, it will be paid in a single instalment with the first billing, and will vary according to the power of the installation. What's more, this financial assistance, adjusted according to installed capacity, is gradually reduced.
Aid for local authorities
You may be eligible for assistance from municipalities, départements, intercommunalités or regions. To find out whether local authorities offer assistance in your area, please contact your local council.
However, article 13 of the tariff decree stipulates that: "Producers may not combine premiums and tariffs [...] for the same installation with any other public financial support for electricity production, from a local, regional, national or European Union aid scheme."
Reduced-rate VAT
If the output of your photovoltaic solar panels is less than or equal to 3 kWpyou will benefit from a reduction in 10% VAT instead of 20%.
This reduced VAT will automatically be included in the estimate provided by the RGE-qualified professional.
The obligation to buy
Using the Obligation d'Achat system, private customers have the opportunity toinject electricity into the grid and sell it at a regulated tariff.. This practice guarantees a satisfactory return on investment over the lifetime of the installations.
The duration of the purchase contract is 20 yearsprovided that the plant is completed within 24 months of the complete connection application, during which time the remuneration is determined.
Finally, private photovoltaic producers are free to sell all or part of the electricity they generate. Feed-in tariffs are set by decree and are subject to quarterly adjustments on the website photovoltaique.info.
However, it is important to note that this purchase contract cannot be combined with any aid offered by local authorities, nor with the self-consumption bonus.
Tax credit (for charging station)
Electric vehicle owners are entitled to a tax credit, covering 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing a home charging station. Since the beginning of 2024, the subsidy has been capped at €500 per terminal and per household, and is accessible to all, regardless of income level.
Conclusion
Installing solar panels on an electric car has many advantages, for both private individuals and professionals. The technology reduces the vehicle'scarbon footprint, extends its range and saves on electricity bills.
However, it is important to note that the development of this technology is still in progress, and certain challenges still need to be overcome. The high cost of solar panels and their limited efficiency in low sunlight conditions are obstacles to mass adoption of this technology.
Despite these challenges, the future of solar panels for electric cars looks promising. Technological advances, proven cost-effectiveness and falling costs should all contribute to the democratization of this technology in the years to come.
