New SolarCharge feature from Monta

The increasing adoption of EVs by UK motorists is creating a real need for more sustainable EV charging solutions if we are to meet the demand that charging EVs will put on the UK National Grid electricity supply.

One solution is to increase the amount of renewable energy we're producing and channel it directly into charging EVs.

Is this a viable solution?

Short answer - Yes, it is already happening. YouGov research commissioned by EV charging platform Monta, has shown that 1 in 10 UK EV Drivers (13%) have solar panels installed at home, giving them the ability to harness the energy generated from the sun to charge their EVs.

And the potential to increase this service in the UK is even more possible than some might think. According to MCS data around 1.5% of UK homeowners currently have solar panels installed, meaning that EV drivers are 8x more likely to own solar than the average UK homeowner.

To take advantage of this extra renewable energy, Monta has released an intelligent new Virtual SolarCharging feature.

Speaking of this new feature, Alok Dubey, Regional Director at Monta said, “Most EV owners rely on the National Grid to charge their car, which can be costly and puts a strain on the grid and its infrastructure. EV owners can also face higher electricity bills which feeds into a wider debate about the cost efficiency of owning an EV. This is where solar panels come into play as a sustainable solution.

By tapping into the energy generated from solar panels, EV homeowners can provide their own electricity and reduce their dependence on the National Grid. This helps to cut costs and increases energy independence and resilience.”

Monta is on a mission to make it easier for EV drivers to charge their cars using the power of the sun via their new Virtual SolarCharge feature, which is currently in Beta Testing and set for UK release in the Autumn.

The Beta Test programme is allowing EV drivers with solar panels on their home to provide their solar panels' peak output, declination, and azimuth (compass orientation) into the Monta app.

The Monta SolarCharge algorithm then uses this information, along with current weather conditions, to accurately estimate the amount of solar energy they can generate to charge their EV.

This new feature from Monta not only benefits EV drivers, but also presents an opportunity for EV charge point hardware manufacturers. By ensuring that their charge points easily integrate with solar panels, this could be a differentiator that sets it apart from competitors in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Dubey continues, “Any charge point that has load balancing capability and is compatible with Monta can be used for solar charging - which opens up solar charging to a much wider consumer market and doesn’t lock users into only using charge point manufacturer software to manage their EV charging.”

EV charging with solar panels can provide substantial savings on energy costs through less dependence on the national grid. The upfront investment in solar panels does pay off over time, leading to greater energy independence and lower energy costs. While homeowners transition to this greener economy, any surplus solar power generated can even be sold back to the grid, emphasising the financial and environmental benefits of charging EVs with solar panels at home.

Dubey concludes, “We believe that accelerating and democratising the adoption of EV technology is key to building a better future for everyone, and as the demand for EV home charging rises, it is crucial to find sustainable and cost-effective solutions. This is why we believe harnessing the energy from solar panels will be a game-changer.”