Solar panels and electric cars are meant to go together, just like classic bread and butter. With your electric car fully charged, you can travel without harmful emissions and with a personal solar panel array properly installed, you can manage your power needs (including recharging your vehicle) without spending a lot of money. At Kosmos Solar in Grand Prairie, TX, our team of professional solar panel installation experts recognizes just how important it is to reduce our ongoing environmental impact on the planet.
If you have already purchased an electric car, you might have noticed that your monthly electricity bill has risen sharply, and you might be looking for ways to reduce these costs. While you no longer pay for gas, some of the costs are still being realized with higher electricity bills each month. If you are just starting to explore the market of electric cars, it is a good idea to calculate all the costs before you start.
This is where a solar panel system comes in – depending on the size of the system you choose, you can reduce (or even eliminate) a large portion of your electricity bill. The cost of charging an electric car is normally added to your regular electricity bill, and these constant drains will certainly skyrocket your bill over time. Having a professionally installed solar panel system is a great way to enjoy the comfort of an electric vehicle without paying an arm and a leg to your power company.
Start by Getting a Clear Idea of Your Projected Electricity Costs
Electric vehicles are generally rated by how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) they need to cover a distance of 100 miles. According to Plug In America, “an average electric vehicle needs about 30 kWh of electricity to drive the car 100 miles.” After calculating the estimated amount of additional energy you will use with your electric vehicle, you can discuss with a solar system consultant what kind of panel system will be best for your home to handle the increased workload on your vehicle.
So, How Does That Measure Up to a Tank of Gas?
The average cost of electricity per kWh in the US is around 12 cents, and if you average 15,000 miles of driving distance annually, the additional electricity costs will increase to about $540 per year. The average cost of one gallon in the US is around $ 2.35, and if you travel an average of 15,000 miles in your vehicle each year, your total annual gasoline costs are going to end up being around $ 1,400.
Gas and electricity prices vary from state to state, but comparisons show that choosing an electric car is going to bring savings in the long run. California, for example, has some of the highest gas prices in the country, so Californians are more likely to pay more than an average of $ 1,400 per year. Also, keep in mind that these averages are based on estimates using newer vehicles, so performance and gas mileage decreases naturally with the age of your specific vehicle.
Start Planning Ahead Today
Even if you are not currently interested in starting the process to buy an electric car, you can still begin preparing by estimating your future electricity costs with a solar panel system. The system can always be added later as your electricity needs to increase. You can also take advantage of any tax discounts or incentives offered locally and at the federal level as part of the installation incentive process.
Reach Out to Kosmos Solar in Grand Prairie, Texas To Get Started
If you’re just starting to learn about the benefits of solar technology and solar panel systems, then it can be understandable to feel intimidated by the amount of information and opinions floating around. Instead of struggling through the process alone while trying to decide what to believe or who to trust, be sure to contact our team right away so we can get started on the process of designing and installing your very own solar panel system.