Electric Vehicles and Solar PV

AckwelFoley

Having only had the solar installed a wet week in September, I can already see the massive benefit from it

We have a 6.5kw system with 6kw solis hybred. We had about 340kw for the 3 weeks installed in September

Knowing that the return is tapering off, but will be better in the spring summer, I think an EV is a natural option. We spend about 400 euro a month on diesel between 2 cars so, managed correctly I think we could benefit from an EV

The question is, wanting to benefit from surplus that will be there particularly in the peak part of the year, and night rate in winter, is there any rule of thumb as to what I should have capacity wise with panels.

Space isn't an issue on roof, inverter will limit me to maybe 9.5 10kw.

Would 10kw be realistically sufficient to consider benefits from EV?

Jonathan

Driving on sunshine is a great feeling. Would recommend!

What aspect does your 6.5kWp array face? The EV AC charging spec defines a minimum charge rate of 1.4kW, so it tends to suit south facing arrays better during the off months. E/W arrays may struggle to have enough surplus to reach the 1.4kW threshold.

Not much of an issue during the summer when there is lots of surplus.

AckwelFoley

Yes. Both strings south face for me. Indidnt know about the 1.4kw so that's good to know. I think an extra 8 x 410s on top of the 16 I have would be particularly useful during summer surplus and even unto the autumn

I at least had the sence to lay the ducting for the Zappi when I had the house dug up

I'm hist trying to get my head around the realistic savings.

Spend money on diesel or buy electric and spend money on the car. We have 2 decent cars, but any old wreck will still burn diesel, a new ev will cost x per month, if we can save 2/3 of diesel costs per month it will go a long way towards paying the depreciation cost of an EV

jkforde

go for a 2nd hand EV with trade-in (sellers market at the moment), then it makes far more economic sense, I've a 2020 40kW Leaf and I find it brilliant, esp. during summer when it's really a 40kw battery on wheels.

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119701323#Comment_119701323

Understand, but, the wife isn't on board unless she can get Dublin to athlone and back on single charge, comfortably. Need probably 60kw (allowing for cold weather runs)

To be fair, she's largely on board but the range is a deal breaker

jkforde

ah yes, but there's fast chargers along the route, can top-up 25kw in approx. 30mins

AckwelFoley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119701424#Comment_119701424

I'm temperamental. I see some dick head parked in a charging bay with a Ford ranger I'm going to get into a place I tend to try avoid. I tend to avoid these situations and stresses if I can.

I believe the MG ZS and MG 4 both have extended range cars available or being released.. 60 ro 70kw batteries

Realistically we would use the option of fast charges, but I don't want to need them if I can help it

DC999

We'll never go ICE again, find the EV brill and only have it 5 months or so. So comfortable to drive too (ours is Leaf 2016). Pre EV, we spent 1600 euro on juice last year on a 1.6l petrol (before prices went nuts) for ~15k a year city driving. For us that will be ~ 2800kWh at whatever your nightrate is. It's a Leaf and does short runs so others would get slightly different range. That's 360 euro for a years 'fuel' at a 13c nightrate (as the Energia D/N 8c ones are gone). Plus save 500 quid on tax (last one was high emissions so high tax). That's ignoring solar. Your mileage will be different but you can use the numbers above as a benchmark.

Then if it's in the drive during the day and it's sunny, it's free motion lotion a lot of the time. Or even if it's there for a bit of a Sat / Sun (if at work during the week) it's getting topped up for free. Needs 1.4kw at least as Jonathan says, but will take whatever is spare. Up to a few weeks ago I charged mostly from solar on a small 5kWp E/W split.

So then you're into the decision on what range you need. And maybe the EV is the one that does the shorter range of the 2 cars. Or it becomes the longer range one. More you drive = more you save (versus the other ICE car). If you only do the Athlone - Dublin return infrequently, then the 30 min charge is perfect and maybe a smaller battery is fine (you know the range drops in winter I see). But if that charge is needed as part of a regular commute, it's a very different story.

Factor in about 1.5k for supply and fit for the Zappi. There or there abouts. Get 600 grant back on that.

slave1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119701435#Comment_119701435

Kona64kWh used is best bang for buck range EV

zg3409

Firstly what is daily commute of each car you have?

What type cars do you both have?

What are requirements for car such as adaptive cruise control, android auto etc?

Is one of the cars parked at home 10am -2pm to make the most of solar each day?

Note the cost of filling the car from non solar is quite low. I got an 80% savings of EV with no solar versus petrol. The benefit of solar for car miles may not be high. You might only add 100km range a day from sun, maybe far less.

Anyway with 2 cars, getting one EV may make sense.

Public charging in general is a disaster so avoid if possible with long range EV. There is only about 1/3 enough public chargers with queues at peak times.