Solar Energy Based Charging for Electric Vehicles at Fuel Stations

The electricity used for charging electric vehicles (EV) must be produced from renewable energy sources to make EV carbon neutral. Solar PV panels installed at fuel stations can provide a noticeable fraction of charging electricity for EV also in countries located in the Northern region. The study aims to assess the potential dynamics of that fraction given a certain growth rate of the number of EV. System dynamics modelling is used as the method and Latvia is chosen as the case. The model contains parts for the calculation of the number of EV, dynamics of charging units and PV panels at fuel stations as well as in other places, the share of PV-produced power, and the resulting reduction of CO2 emissions. Economic factors, i.e. subsidies for EV purchase, investments, and costs of charging are considered in the model. Assessment is based on sensitivity analysis. Results show that the subsidies for the purchase of EV and the price of new EV play a decisive role in the growth rate of EV and the resulting reduction of CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles.