SOLAR CHARGE YOUR EV FOR 2025
Updated February 7th, 2025
By Morgan Pierce
Did January start slowly, possibly with a few WFH days as it did for much of the country? Or did you use the snow and storm days as an excuse to break out a box set and settle down to polish off the leftover seasonal choccies with the kids?
Either way, February is pretty much guaranteed to see us all back on the road to schools and work in a “return to Normal.”
Drivers will unhappily discover that motoring into 2025 will require not just motivation but moolah. Fuel prices rose for the second straight month in December, and that put up costs at the pump for the foreseeable.
International turmoil, political and market instability, mean that high energy prices look set to be part of a new Normal, making it significantly more expensive to keep the nation’s workers moving.
Industry leaders say the rise is down to increased shipping costs attributable to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Respected energy consultancy Cornwall Insight expects that prices will remain higher due to geopolitical tensions, bad weather and maintenance on some infrastructure. The market, it has said, is still “very sensitive” to global events.
For European community members, including Ireland, fluctuations in the value of the euro are also taking a toll. Because crude oil is priced in dollars, the weakening of the euro against the dollar has meant that importing oil has become more expensive.
Ironically, those higher fossil fuel costs will also be having an impact on Ireland’s EV (electric vehicle) owners. Since many EV charging points still rely on energy generated by fossil fuel-based providers, most drivers will experience an increase in monthly running costs.
EV Charging with Solar
AA Ireland sensibly points out that customers should always compare prices among providers to get the best EV charging deal.
Remember, though, there’s another – even more cost saving option – go solar to charge your EV!
We can’t do anything about the price you’ll pay for charging your EV at a public power point. The cheapest place to charge your EV, though, is at home. And the cheapest way to charge it is by integrating your charging practices and technology into your home’s own solar system.
It’s theoretically possible to install a solar battery system that allows you to store electricity created during the day and then use it to recharge your EV at night. At the moment, however, the capacity of solar batteries is far smaller than required to charge an EV.
But there is a practical “work around” for this dilemma. Instead of storing any excess energy created by your solar, sell it back to the grid. Then buy the electricity your EV charger uses to “refill” your car at night when rates are lowest. If you are clever you can sell your excess during the high demand part of the day when the price is highest, and buy back at a much lower rate. This article gives a pretty comprehensive explanation of how this all works.
If you’re one of the lucky few who get to WFH even when there isn’t a snow or a storm day, it’s possible to connect your EV directly to the panels, drawing electricity while the sun shines brightest. Many EV chargers come equipped to draw surplus electricity generated by solar – but only after first meeting your home’s energy requirements.
Read the Sustainable Energy Authority’s guide to all things EV. Have a particular look at the grants available – both for purchasing your EV and for buying an at home charger.
Speaking of grants…the SEAI is still giving great cash incentives to go solar. From January 1, 2025, the solar installation grant has been set at €1,800. That’s a substantial amount off the cost of the system necessary for most homes.
As always, we’re here to guide you through installing the solar system you need to meet your family’s energy needs – from panel design, to installation, to advice on battery storage and EV charging.
2025 may have started out snowy and stormy. But remember, the sun is still going to come out tomorrow. We’ll be here to help you make the most of it.
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.