• • • PANEL BUILDING • • • Why solar is key to our future
transport network The synergistic relationship between solar roofs and EVs
n places like Germany and California, a counter- intuitive problem has emerged; an excess production of solar power. However, in a world desperate for clean energy solutions, can there really be too much solar? Here, Philippe Agafonovas, CEO at solar roofing innovator, SunStyle, explains the synergistic relationship between the uptake of solar power and more EVs on our roads. You might be forgiven for thinking that too much solar power was a growing problem, given recent headlines in Germany and California about excess production. Solar power is intermittent and peaks during the middle of the day when sunlight is most intense. However, electricity demand often peaks in the early morning and evening, creating a mismatch between when solar power is produced and when it’s needed.
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In places with high solar adoption, such as California and Germany, there have been instances where solar power generation exceeds the grid’s immediate needs during sunny periods. This forces grid operators to curtail solar generation or export excess electricity, sometimes
even paying neighbouring regions to take the surplus.
Curtailment happens when solar energy is produced but cannot be used due to insufficient demand or storage capacity. In some places, curtailment of solar energy has been on the rise because grids are not always equipped to handle large, sudden influxes of renewable energy during peak sunlight hours. For example, California’s solar curtailment has increased due to its massive growth in solar capacity combined with limited battery storage and transmission constraints. The issue isn’t necessarily that too much solar power is being produced overall, but rather that the infrastructure, like energy storage systems and grid flexibility, hasn’t yet caught up with the pace of solar installations. Without large-scale storage solutions, excess solar energy often goes to waste. Electric vehicles can play a huge role in integrating solar into the energy system, so thinking about how we increase the uptake of EVs alongside solar energy means the temporary issue of curtailment should be seen as an opportunity, rather than a challenge.
Charging ahead
As more EVs hit the road, they will require more electricity, increasing overall energy demand. If this additional demand is met with solar power, it can drive up the production of solar energy. For instance, solar power can directly charge EVs through home solar installations or solar-powered EV charging stations, creating a strong synergy between solar energy production and EV use. Many governments and businesses are focusing on using renewable energy to charge EVs as part of their climate and sustainability goals. This includes expanding solar capacity specifically to meet the increased electricity needs from electric vehicle adoption.
One of the most exciting possibilities is using EVs not just as electricity consumers, but as part of a distributed energy storage network. EVs with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability can store excess solar energy in their batteries and feed it back to the grid when needed. This can help balance energy supply and demand, especially during peak hours when solar generation drops, but electricity demand increases, like in the evening.
30 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MAY 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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