A recent study conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has revealed a significant correlation between owning electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of residential solar panels. The analysis, based on a behavioral study, surveyed 869 households in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Lead author Shivam Sharda emphasized that EV owners often show a greater inclination to invest in photovoltaics (PVs) due to the potential offset of residential energy bills, especially for charging EVs at home. The study, titled “The Electric Vehicles-Solar Photovoltaics Nexus: Driving Cross-Sectoral Adoption of Sustainable Technologies,” underscores the complementary nature of EVs and PVs in bolstering energy systems resilience and addressing concerns about grid stability.
The survey, conducted in 2018 as part of the WholeTraveler Transportation Behavior Study, discovered a notable connection between EV and PV ownership. Of the participants, 25% of EV owners also possessed a PV system, compared to only 8% of non-EV owners. The study highlights the influence of social circles and awareness on technology adoption, emphasizing the impact of discussions and interactions with friends or family who already own these sustainable technologies.
Despite governmental incentives driving the adoption of EVs and PVs, researchers recommend policy initiatives that jointly accelerate the acceptance of both technologies. They propose that encouraging EV owners to adopt solar technology earlier could significantly contribute to achieving decarbonization goals.
While acknowledging the value of their findings, researchers suggest more comprehensive surveys to fully understand the evolving relationship between transportation choices and residential energy use.
Funded by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, this study offers crucial insights into the potential synergy between EVs and residential solar panels, furthering efforts to promote sustainable and interconnected technologies.
NREL, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC, stands as the Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development
