Skip to main content

An off-grid solar tracker powers this EV charging station

Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, has installed an off-grid solar tracker EV charging station for its employees.

“This solar electric vehicle charger is a part of the college’s efforts to make our [transportation systems] more sustainable”, said Marcus Welker, assistant director of sustainability at Dartmouth College [via Vermont Biz].

Solaflect Energy, based in Norwich, Vermont, designs and manufactures the Solar EV Charger. The four Level 2 charging points are powered by a 6.2-kilowatt solar array mounted on a dual-axis tracker that generates 40% more power than comparable fixed panel arrays.

The system’s 6-ton concrete foundation sits directly on parking lot lines, so it doesn’t take up any parking spaces and provides enough ground clearance for unimpeded traffic flow. Designed for climate resilience, it sheds snow quickly, stows flat in high winds, and sits high enough to avoid flooding.

Solar EV Charger operates even when the grid is down, and its transportable nature allows it to adapt as EV charging needs evolve. Here’s Dartmouth’s Solar EV Charger in action:

The off-grid solar tracker EV charger is quicker and less expensive to install than traditional grid-connected stations and avoids costly utility demand charges since there’s no need for infrastructure. Solaflect’s chargers scale easily, with one charger for every four EVs or plug-in hybrids. The company asserts that over its expected 25-year life, the system locks in 1 million miles of EV charging with minimal operating and maintenance costs.

Solaflect’s Solar EV charger is available for annual lease with no additional service costs or for purchase with a 30% federal investment tax credit. Its first installations will take place in New England, followed by a US-wide expansion.  

What do you think of Solaflect’s Solar EV Charger? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more: In a milestone, the US exceeds 5 million solar installations


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –ad*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michelle Lewis Michelle Lewis

Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac.com. Check out her personal blog.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications