Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Abstract

As vehicles continue to dominate the transportation industry, serious questions are being raised as to the environmental harm caused by internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles. Recently, there has been a surge in the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) as a supposedly less damaging alternative to ICEs. While some studies have shown that EVs can be more harmful to the environment due to the emissions in their production and electricity generation, there are aspects that have the potential to be improved. Solar power has emerged as a viable option, as it is available reliably in most locations and can be placed in various locations. More specifically, in order to maximize EV adoption by increasing infrastructure, an everyday location, such as a school. However, solar panels do have several variables that affect their exposure to sunlight. Since the angle of installation can be readily controlled, a solar panel apparatus was set up to figure out the most effective angle for power generation. This solar panel data, in conjunction with local vehicle data, school parking lot data, and school roof data, is used to generate an infrastructure plan for the school of study. The findings conclude that the solar panels required to power the 11 EV chargers calculated to be appropriate for current demand would cover about 5,469 square feet. The calculation of these numbers not only proves the feasibility of such an infrastructure plan but also the relatively unobstructive nature of the infrastructure, further highlighting its practical application.