Can you Charge an Electric Car Battery With Solar Energy?

• This article answers the question of whether or not you can charge your electric car battery using solar.

As you may know, for a standard battery charger to work, it must be plugged into a power outlet. On the other hand, solar battery chargers only work if you have access to a clear view of the sky above. 

However, if it’s cloudy outside, you might be waiting up to 13 long hours for a full charge. This leads to our next point. Are you wondering if a solar battery charger can deliver enough power to charge a vehicle’s battery?

Do Car Solar Battery Chargers Work? 

The short answer is, yes, car solar battery chargers do work – but how effective are they? They are not nearly as powerful as regular car battery chargers. With this in mind, they probably won’t charge your battery as quickly as you’d like. Solar car chargers only put out a small amount of current, which is beneficial if you only need to top off your charge. 

How Do Car Solar Battery Chargers Work? 

According to experts, “Solar battery chargers work by converting energy from the sun into electricity that can be stored in a battery. This is accomplished via a photovoltaic solar panel, which is the same basic technology used in residential and commercial settings to provide on-site power.”

Solar battery chargers are nothing like solar panels on a house, though. Although the technology and science behind it are the same, solar battery chargers can only put out about 500 to 1,500 mA – and that’s on the higher side.

One of the best ways to use this charger is to provide more amperage at the beginning and ramp it down as the battery gets close to a full charge. High-quality chargers can do this automatically, while other chargers come with manual controls. It just depends on the charger you have. 

How Much Does a Solar Battery Charger Cost in Nigeria?

Generally, a solar battery charger will cost you about N20,000 for a 10-amp model. Of course, if you think you’d need one with more amps, you’ll be paying more. If your main goal is to charge your battery for a quick drive, you’ll get your money’s worth with the 10-amp option.

Can Solar Car Battery Chargers Charge Dead Car Batteries?

Not many people know this, but a solar car battery charger will not be able to charge a fully dead car battery. They are not meant to do this. Solar car battery chargers are trickle chargers, meaning they charge at the self-discharge rate.

Are Solar Car Chargers Worth Having in Nigeria?

The major importance of solar chargers isn’t that they power current. It’s that they also provide individuals another electricity alternative. So, yes! Solar car chargers will be worth having in Nigeria, for EV car owners. Having many of them in Nigeria will help reduce the risks of owning an Electric Vehicle in the country, as here’s what solar car chargers will do for you:

• They are handy for a quick charge.
• They are handy if you’re trying to cut back on electricity usage.

Conclusion

If you drive an EV, you might want to keep one in your cargo in case of an emergency. Sometimes, you can’t make it to the charging station in time. Simply put, solar car chargers are great if you are trying to maintain a charge rather than fully charging it.