EV Advantage with Fast Chargers and Rooftop Solar at Home

Regardless of whether you currently own an EV or would like to in future, knowing how to maximise the advantages surrounding EV charging - and recharging - is worthwhile. This is because not only can EV owners today find value in reviewing the current ins and outs of their vehicle use to identify potential new benefits, but would-be EV owners could find it very beneficial to lay the groundwork in advance for their future EV ownership. So, let’s look now at what an EV enthusiast should know about charging their EV at home, and also while out and about.

Recharging via Fast Chargers Versus Regular Outlets

EV vehicles from a variety of different manufacturers offer owners numerous ways to charge their vehicles. Nonetheless, not all options should be regarded as equal. Recharging via a standard outlet is much slower than a dedicated car charger. For folks who normally use their vehicles to travel short distances, charging via a standard 10 amp outlet be fine. Or you could upgrade to 15A for a modest cost.  But for those travelling longer distances - a charger at home is unquestionably more preferable. 

What about Fast Charging at Work?

Some workplaces may offer EV charging, and in years to come we can expect public EV infrastructure to become more common. This said, at present, such infrastructure remains relatively rare. While charging via a standard outlet at work may also be possible, this should not be presumed. Unless the EV owner is also the one paying the electricity bills for the premises, using power in this way without permission could be an avenue to get in trouble fast!

How do I charge my EV at home?

Just as generations of motorists have done with combustion engines at the petrol station, there’s nothing outright stopping an EV owner from looking to fast charge their vehicle exclusively at a fast charging station in public. But this can become tedious and expensive.

Installing a dedicated EV charger at your own property makes the process of renewing your EV’s energy levels much more convenient, and remove the need to spend time (especially if required to queue up) out in public using a charger. 
 

You can charge your EV by plugging it into any ordinary 10 amp AC outlet with a suitable cable, just like you would a laptop or smartphone, although charging times will be slow. That's OK if you have a lot of time, but it's far easier to charge your EV at home by installing a dedicated home EV charging device, which can charge your car up to three times faster than a conventional power outlet.

A dedicated EV charger at home makes EV ownership extremely convenient: you can fully charge your car overnight or throughout the day without leaving your house for top-ups. You may even configure your home EV charger to only charge when your solar power system is operational.

An Additional At-Home Benefit with Solar

When combined with a rooftop solar system, EV chargers in the home become even more useful. Not only does this combo offer a way to recharge an EV with clean and green energy, but it can be better for the hip pocket that solar energy generated in-house is used in this way, instead of feeding it back into the grid. This is of course in tandem to the many other benefits rooftop solar systems can provide a home generally. 

How do I begin using EV charging at home?

For your home and car's energy requirements, Sunergy Solar offers a solar power solution that includes EV charging.

You can opt to install your home EV charger inside a garage or outside in a carport because the majority of models now on the market are completely waterproof. Installation may be less expensive and simpler in new apartment buildings that were constructed with EV charging in mind. It can be expensive to provide EV charging capabilities to older residential buildings. You should be able to get information on the applicable EV charging installation policy from your owners corporation or strata manager.

When combined with a rooftop solar system, EV chargers in the home can become even more useful. Not only does this combo offer a way to recharge an EV with clean and green energy, but it can be better for the hip pocket that solar energy generated in-house is used in this way, instead of feeding it back into the grid.