It seems like more and more people are ditching traditional bicycles in favor of electric bikes, and it’s no surprise why.
From environmental benefits to health benefits, riding an e-bike just makes sense.
To that end, we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about charging e-bikes with solar power. Keep reading to learn more.
Can You Charge an Electric Bike With Solar Power?
So, can you charge an electric bike with solar panel? The short answer is that yes, you can absolutely charge your e-bike with solar power.
Solar power is here to stay, and we continue to use it in new and innovative ways. Therefore, it’s no surprise you’re curious about whether it’s compatible with electric bikes.
Finding the right setup for you may be tricky or time-consuming, and you’ll need some supplies and technical know-how to get it done. However, with a little ingenuity, it’s doable.
Why Should You Charge an E-bike with Solar Power?
One of the primary reasons people are curious about powering e-bikes with solar power is the increasing range.
Sure, e-bikes have charging capabilities big enough to power an entire commute. But what if you want to get more use out of yours?
Do you always have to be limited by whatever charge your battery holds? Nowadays, the answer to that question is no.
Clever solar power setups are allowing people to go beyond their e-bike’s battery range without worrying about getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Depending on the setup you choose (which we’ll talk about in the next section), you can find portable, lightweight options to power all your adventures.
Benefits of Using a Solar E-bike Charger
Aside from sustainability, there are plenty of reasons to consider using a solar e-bike charger.
- Autonomy. Worrying about range can kill the fun and freedom of using your e-bike. But a solar panel can give you complete autonomy when using your e-bike. If you can take the charger with you, you can go on longer rides without any anxiety.
- Save money on electricity. While charging e-bikes doesn’t represent a significant cost, using solar power can still help you save a few bucks.
- Charge wherever you are. Many people enjoy having the ability to charge their e-bikes no matter where they are. This fact is especially true for anyone who lives in a sunny climate, as you know that your bike can be charging at pretty much any time.
- Durability. Most solar panels are built to be incredibly durable. They’ll last a long time, and they won’t be affected by extreme weather, so you won’t have to worry about them breaking down on you.
Do Any E-bikes Specifically Charge Using Solar Power?
Currently, no e-bikes are manufactured that specifically integrate solar power in their design.
Hopefully, we will see that start to change in the coming years, as the idea makes a lot of sense.
And with a growing shift towards eco-friendly practices, we probably will.
There are already a few manufacturers exploring the possibility.
Solar Panel Options for Charging Your E-bike
There are three different options available to those who want to use solar panels to power their e-bikes.
Stationary Solar Panels
Stationary solar panels are the most powerful option, as they are the largest and most powerful of the three.
You simply install them in your home, and after you use your e-bike, you hook it up to the panels to charge.
There are a couple of advantages to using stationary solar panels.
Namely, your charging potential is quite robust, and you don’t have to worry about anyone stealing your panels while you’re out and about.
However, stationary solar panels have some downsides. They are the most expensive of the three options, and they’re not portable, so you’re not solving any range issues.
Of course, if you only go on short routes, the portability issue may not be a problem for you.
But if you like the stationary panel idea and want more autonomy, you can always purchase a second battery. This way, you can swap them out easily if one is dead.
Portable Solar Panels
If the reason you’re considering solar power for your e-bike has to do with flexibility and range, a portable solar panel is probably the best option.
It’s small enough to take with you, and you don’t have to worry about finding electricity on your adventures. No matter what, you’ll be able to return home.
There are some downsides to consider with portable solar panels. They’ll add pounds to your already-heavy e-bike, and you can’t charge them while you’re pedaling.
Portable solar panels can also get stolen. Additionally, if it starts raining, you may not have enough sun to power the charger.
Rear Pack Solar Panels
For some people, a rear pack solar panel offers the best of both worlds.
They’re easy to set up on a trailer on the back of the bike, which allows you to carry a heavier, more powerful solar panel with less effort.
They’re also excellent for longer trips, as they allow you to charge your bike as you’re pedaling.
As you might imagine, this heavy setup is not ideal for maneuvering anything more complicated than a fairly wide bike path.
You’ll need to avoid off-roading or tight turns, which may make your outings less fun.
Finally, the cost is another critical factor to consider. Rear pack solar panels are the priciest of the three, as you’re not just purchasing the solar panels but also the trailer setup.
How Many Volts Is an E-bike Battery?
A critical factor to consider if you want to create your own solar panel setup is the voltage of your e-bike’s battery. The voltage will determine how many panels you need.
E-bikes typically come in three voltages: 24V, 36V, and 48V. You can think of volts like horsepower. The more volts, the more powerful your bike.
In most cases, an e-bike has 36V, though you can find both 24V and 48V options. Whatever the voltage, you’ll need a charger that can handle it.
For example, you can find plenty of solar chargers designed for camping gear. Because these chargers only work with 12-volt batteries, they wouldn’t be able to charge your e-bike.
How You Can Charge an Electric Bike Using Solar Panels
Now let’s talk about charging your e-bike with solar panels.
The best way is by connecting a 100- to 200-watt solar panel to an inverter.
An inverter (or charge controller as it’s sometimes called) acts as a buffer between the solar panel and your bike, which is essential to keeping your battery intact.
You can then take your existing charger and hook it up to the inverter to charge your e-bike.
How Many Solar Panels Does It Take to Charge an E-bike?
To answer this question, let’s suppose that we have a 48V bike. The best-case scenario for charging would be a unit with two panels that output 200W or more.
Keep in mind that you can’t just buy solar panels and connect them to your bike’s battery. It would be fantastic to be able to do so, but solar power doesn’t work that way.
Solar panels include a system that collects, transfers, and outputs the collected energy. On their own, the panels charge very slowly, even on sunny days.
To maximize their charging potential, you need a charger controller.
How Long Will Charging an Electric Bike Using Solar Power Take?
The first thing to consider is how long it will take for the solar panel to collect energy from the sun.
If you are using stationary panels, they should be placed at the correct angle for maximum energy absorption.
They’ll need roughly ten hours of sunlight (depending on the voltage and wattage).
Once the solar energy has been absorbed, it’s time to think about the total charging time.
Using solar panels and the correct inverter, your e-bike will charge quickly; roughly the same time to plugging it into a wall.
And if you needed to recharge at night, all you’d have to do is get a rechargeable solar battery alongside a 50Ah lithium phosphate battery.
The Impact of Solar Charging Your E-bike on the Environment
If you regularly use your e-bike instead of a vehicle, you’re already doing a lot to reduce your carbon footprint.
E-bikes are considered to be a sustainable method of travel, but using solar power rather than other forms of power to charge your e-bike makes it even more so.
Final Thoughts
Not only is solar power an effective way to take your sustainability efforts to the next level, but it can also help you eliminate one of the biggest drawbacks of an e-bike: range.
And what’s better than even more freedom to enjoy this fantastic mode of transportation? Sure, implementing solar panels takes a bit of research and figuring out, but it’s worth it.
So if you’re serious about harnessing solar power for your e-bike, you should consider this option.
Other articles you may also like:
- Do Electric Bikes Charge When You Pedal?
- Can You Charge An Electric Bike With a Portable Charger?
- How to Charge Electric Bike in Apartment?
- How to Repair Electric Bike Batteries?
- How to Charge an Electric Bike Without a Charger
- How to Test if My E-Bike Controller is Functional?
- Is It Safe to Charge My Bike Overnight?
- What Size Inverter Is Needed to Charge An Electric Bike?