Solar panel boost for EVs
The joint use of solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs) offers a sustainable option for decarbonisation, say University of Auckland researchers in a paper that explores the nexus between solar potential and EV uptake.
Their study, published in the international journal Energy Policy, used Auckland-centric data to determine whether the existence of the panels is positively associated with motorists switching to EVs.
Dr Le Wen, who is a research fellow at the business school’s energy centre, says the researchers found that households with installed residential solar were more likely to purchase EVs.
“Our study shows that solar-panel uptake has the potential to encourage the adoption of EVs by providing sustainable charging solutions,” he says.
The government has implemented strategies, such as the clean car discount, to promote EV uptake, resulting in significant growth in sales of such models. However, solar capacity is still low, says Wen.
“This is an area that policymakers should pay attention to. Because solar panels are positively associated with EV uptake, developing policy packages that can promote the uptake of both would benefit emissions reduction and help achieve the net-zero carbon target by 2050.”
EVs and solar installations are mutually beneficial when it comes to helping Aotearoa transition to a low-carbon economy, says Dr Selena Sheng, co-author and a senior research fellow at the energy centre.
She explains: “EVs can provide storage to take care of any surplus energy produced by solar panels. They can use this stored energy for driving or household use.
“If you don’t use the energy generated by your panels, you can sell it back to the grid or it goes to waste. But if you have an EV, it will increase usability because you can charge your battery and store energy there. Households investing in solar have the potential to accelerate EV uptake.”
The researchers also note that power collected from solar can be stored in EVs and used as an emergency back-up in a power outage with the help of a bidirectional charger.
Basil Sharp, an emeritus professor in energy economics, says the study further shows that, unsurprisingly, the availability of public chargers bolsters EV uptake. The early-adopters phase of solar also positively impacts subsequent the switch to electric cars.
“We also found that males are more likely to install solar. Larger households are more likely to use solar because of their greater electricity needs. And, not surprisingly, higher unemployment rates mean people are less likely to adopt solar.”
