Energy economic analysis of PV based charging station at workplace parking garage

Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PEVs, whether hybrid or battery-only) are receiving a great deal of interest in the United States due to their energy efficiency, convenient and low-cost recharging capabilities and reduced use of petroleum. The impact of charging millions of PEVs from the power grid could be significant, in the form of increased loading of power plants, transmission and distribution lines, emissions, and economics. Some vehicles are parked during the day at workplace parking garages and can be charged from the solar energy using photovoltaic (PV) based charging facilities. The use of solar energy for charging helps to reduce the load and emissions from the power grid but also affects the cost of charging. Therefore, an energy economic analysis of PEV charging using PV panels at workplace parking garage is presented in this paper. Two locations (Columbus, OH and Los Angeles, CA) having different levels of yearly solar radiation and finance structure are considered and hourly energy analysis and cash flow analysis is performed with different types of vehicles, statistical data for driving distances, park time, etc, and all finances including tax rebates and incentives. A rate structure that charges an extra amount for accessing the charging facility is considered to analyze the economics of garage owner and the vehicle owner. The impact of this PV based workplace charging facility on emissions from power grid is also analyzed. This emission impact is combined with economic analysis for vehicle owner by considering carbon tax. The results of different parametric studies show the feasibility of a PV based charging facility and benefits to vehicle and garage owner.