Electric vehicles (EV) are one of the best options in contributing to a cleaner mode of transportation. EVs are an eco-friendly solution. Global warming, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint remain an issue when EV charging stations use grid electricity to power EVs. As the Philippine government approved and implemented RA 11697, EV charging stations are also one of its scopes for the development.
EV charging stations powering from RE such as solar PV systems, maximize the green benefits of the EV industry. So why should we focus on setting up a solar EV charging station?
Saving on Energy Costs
Grid power rates continue rising due to some factors such as local fuel costs. Electricity prices in the Philippines are amongst the highest in Southeast Asia at roughly US$0.20 per kWh or PHP10 per kWh. The long-term savings of using a solar PV system for EV charging stations outweigh the upfront cost of its installation.
Net Metering
The Philippine government’s net metering scheme allows qualified customers to generate their own electricity through renewable energy (RE) facilities with up to 100 kilowatts. Participants can then export excess power to distribution utilities (DUs), for peso credits which offset their power bills.
Carbon-Neutral Footprint
It is true that EV reduces the environmental impact of gasoline usage but using grid electricity to power EV still leaves a carbon footprint, doing less to maximize EVs green and cleaner influence on the environment. Around 40-60% of national grid power is still manufactured and produced from fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources. Installing solar powered EV charging stations guarantees an environmentally-friendly solution and 100% carbon-neutral footprint.
Convenience
A station powered by grid electricity comes with inconvenience when a power outage happens. This can be caused by extreme weather conditions where outages can come unannounced. With solar powered stations, users don’t need to worry about grid outages. It comes more handy when adding a solar battery at the charging station to store energy. It offers full flexibility especially at night during unanticipated power interruptions.
The payback period is long. Yet collaborations and government policies can decrease it and help in establishing a robust charging infrastructure. Installing a solar PV system for your EV charging station is worthy of your investment. It gives you clean and free electricity for 20 to 25 years with low maintenance to power EVs.
