You'd install solar panels solely to charge your car? You have no other uses for electricity? And you'd be content to just let the power go to waste while the car isn't at home charging?
No, Nothing like that. I was focusing only on the car part. Of course, the 15 kWH solar system in your home could power the entire home too, or be fed back into the grid, which many municipalities in India are accepting.
Since I was doing a costing analysis, I assumed the worst case possible.
Accounting for selling power to the grid when not in use, usage for home, etc, the cost advantage of an EV improves even more.
Right so consider that you could also sell spare power from your car back to the grid when demand is high and you don't need to drive. Seems like another good benefit, particularly if the grid is prone to brownout (not sure if yours is)
It is an appealing idea to use the car as a battery store, however, there are a few practical issues.
1. When using the car as a battery bank, we eventually increase the charge / discharge cycles of the battery, leading to quicker need for replacement. An external solar battery is cheaper, considering it need not be miniaturized.
2. When not in use, I'd prefer the car is charged, so that I can use it as and when immediately required, say an emergency. So, using power from the car, is not appealing, to me atleast.
3. Grid is prone to brownout in India, however, most cities and towns are experiencing it less and less and these are the major markets for EVs.
I think the implication is that it would be worth it to install battery backed solar panels purely to charge the car. Of course if you had an off grid solar power system you'd use it for lighting and other conveniences as well.
