Now that sustainable mobility is gaining traction in the Philippines, more and more electric vehicle (EV) distributors are bringing in a myriad of models. The next step is an EV charging network that makes chargers not just easily available, but also easy to use, to help convince Filipino motorists to make the pivotal transition.
For starters, EV distributors have bundled home charging kits for their buyers. Then, a dealership network has set up charging stations in its branches and offered EV charging for free. Even corporate giants have set up EV charging hubs in malls, properties, and offices. The best part of that, for now, is that these charging hubs can be used free of charge.
One company providing sustainable home energy has recently entered the scene to offer a partnership with the hospitality industry and residential properties to provide EV charging stations. Solarius EV Charging, a sister company of Solarius Energy, offers free charging units and installation to location partners. The company recently launched its network of public EV charging locations.
Established in 2017, Solarius EV Charging has become a leading solar dealer and installer, initially serving northern Luzon. It caters to the solar energy needs of residential, commercial, and industrial customers with grid-tie, hybrid, and off-grid systems. The company has installed over 600kWp of solar panels and over 160kWh of lithium-ion battery storage for more than 60 customers.
EV Charging Network Locations
“Solarius EV Charging’s mission is to eliminate range anxiety for EV drivers by building a world-class, nationwide network of ‘destination’ EV charging locations,” said Solarius EV Charging CEO Peter Wilson. Solarius provides EV owners with a convenient and cost-effective charging experience and financially viable business models for location partners. The target is 60 locations energized by the end of the first quarter (2023), 180 locations by the end of 2023, and over 500 locations by 2025. These EV charging stations will be strategically installed in hotels, shopping malls, and other popular public places.
According to Solarius, charging sessions are activated by scanning each station’s QR code. The Solarius app is available for download on the Apple App store and Google Play, providing an enhanced charging experience. EV drivers are presented with the charging costs before initiating the charging session. Payment methods include credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, as well as pre-paid plans funded by G-Cash, PayMaya, and Western Union. Solarius also offers EV Charging solutions for condo and apartment property management companies to enable tenants to charge at home. They also provide solar-powered EV Charging solutions for private residences and businesses. Cost-wise, charging in partner hotels is at P35/kWh or around P2,450, using a standard charger, achieving 80-90% battery charge in 10 hours.
Boost mode for night charging
Solarius is an authorized dealer and installer for UK-based “myenergi.” The Zappi EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) is a level 2 charger that can integrate seamlessly with a solar (power) system. According to Solarius, the system automatically senses when the solar system can produce more energy than the home or office consumes. It diverts the excess power to the EV, which ensures enough charging with as much free solar energy as possible and keeps the car battery topped up. There is also a clever boost mode for faster charging, even at night.
The company offers a 7kW single-phase model—the most common charger that could fully charge most EVs in eight hours or less. It’s ideal for daytime charging with solar or an overnight charge. There is also a 22kW 3-phase model, valid for some customers with a three-phase grid power supply who own multiple EVs and want to use a single charging system. If an EV can take a 22kW charge rate, then this charger could recharge that EV in less than 3 hours.
Zero electric bills
As a company providing residential solar energy systems, Solarius offers two methods for eliminating energy bills through solar energy. One is the hybrid setup, considered the preferred and modern method using the latest LiFePO4 energy storage technology. The company sees that energy storage technology has made significant advances in the last few years with the mass commercialization of sizeable lithium-ion battery banks to power EVs and utility-scale renewable energy storage. Using a 6.3kWp hybrid system with 15kWh of lithium-ion battery storage would satisfy the total 24-hour energy consumption on most days. The system will harvest 28.4kWh of energy per day, with 15kWh to charge the batteries and the other 13kWh to satisfy the daytime load. The system is optimally sized for 100% self-sufficiency without the need for energy support from the grid.
The other is the grid-tie solar system, which is twice as big as the hybrid system because it needs to generate more than twice as much energy. The solar system needs to create enough energy to power the daytime load and export around 41kWh to the grid to earn enough credits to offset what was consumed from the grid without enough sunlight. It requires a 12kWp grid-tie solar system and sizeable roofing to accommodate 40 panels instead of just 20 with the hybrid system.
Solarius claims that grid-tie solar systems reach a point of diminishing returns when the capacity exceeds “base load” because the cooperative only credits P5/kWh for exported energy. The best practice to achieve best returns on investment, therefore, is to size grid-tie systems to cover only the daytime base load for 100% self-consumption with very little excess energy to export. The grid-tie system will also shut down during power outages, rendering the massive 12kWp system completely useless. Therefore, the power needs of a household is still wholly dependent on the grid and the coal-burning plants that feed it. (Story and photos courtesy of Randy Peregrino)