Solar Ev Charging System

Solar EV Charging System

India has the potential to generate 749 GW of solar power, which is so far largely untapped for vehicle charging

One of the main arguments often heard against transport electrification being considered clean, is that electric vehicles are charged using electricity predominantly generated from fossil fuel sources. While studies have shown that despite the power source, transport electrification will reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, the growth and potential of solar powered EV charging stations is enabling green mobility in the truest sense.

By 2030, India is expected to have 102 million EVs, which would need  2.9 million public charging stations. Solar-powered EV charging stations are a promising, eco-friendly and cost-effective solution, with many benefits for the consumer, economy and India’s climate goals. With India’s potential to generate 749 GW of solar power, which is more than the country’s current installed capacity, this is an untapped opportunity which is slowly gaining momentum.

Many benefits of solar charging stations

These EV charging stations use solar panels to generate electricity, which makes them eco-friendly. A  study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) shows that the per-unit cost of electricity generated from solar panels ranges between Rs 2.50 to Rs 3.50,(which will be significantly lower by 2030) whereas the per-unit cost of electricity from grid power ranges between Rs 6 to Rs 7. This can translate to lower per unit charging costs for consumers, which can further bring down the total cost of ownership of EVs. Another study shows that electric vehicle charging stations with solar rooftop photovoltaic are economically more viable than charging stations sourcing electricity from the grid. The mismatch between solar energy generation and consumption (from charging) can be solved by deploying net metering at charging stations.

Another benefit of these stations is that they can also be set up in remote areas, which lack access to grid power. This can help promote EV adoption in rural areas, where the cost of setting up traditional charging stations can be high due to the absence of grid power. According to an International Energy Agency (IEA) report, around 50% of India’s population lives in rural areas, and the adoption of EVs can help promote sustainable mobility in these areas.

These stations are also a potential source of job creation, as highlighted by a recent report by CEEW, which shows that the installation of 1 million EV charging stations in India can create up to 46,000 jobs, including those in the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure, thus helping boost the country’s economy.

And lastly, their contribution to reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels will be immense. In 2019-20, India’s crude oil imports amounted to $102.5 billion, accounting for around 2.8% of its GDP. The adoption of EV and solar-powered charging infrastructure  can help reduce India’s dependence on imported oil and promote energy security.

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