Hey everyone! I've been mulling over a solar energy idea and wanted to get your thoughts. I don't have the budget for a full home solar installation right now, but I'm considering using solar power to help charge my electric vehicle instead. My plan would involve a solar-MPPT charger-inverter unit that connects to a Level 2 EV charger. I'd set up 2-4kW of solar, maybe even using it as a pergola on my deck. Additionally, I'm thinking of adding a small battery bank (10-20kWh) to store some energy for days when there's no sun, which would also help during outages since I want to avoid noisy generators. Currently, I'm charging about 500kWh a month at a rate of $0.18561/kWh. Would this plan work out? What equipment would you recommend? If not, what alternatives should I consider? Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
Going for an off-grid solar setup sounds like a good option! You could use a 220V inverter that’s separate from your home’s system, which means you won’t have to deal with the utility company. Plus, some of this could be DIY if you take the time to learn about it.
You mentioned a smaller battery—20kWh is actually on the bigger side for home systems! If this setup is just for your EV, why not just connect everything to your house? It could tie in nicely without adding much complexity to your current setup.
That's a fair point! I guess I was just trying to keep it simple and avoid any insurance or permitting hassles. Plus, I'd like the flexibility to swap things around easily.