Charging strategy for electric vehicles using solar energy

Public charging networks for Electrical Vehicles (EV) is on the rise, with more than 1.3 million EVs deployed worldwide [1]. Whether for economic benefits (higher price per KWh for a faster charging) or for the sole purpose of priority, it has become a point of interest to set a strategy on how to prioritize EVs charging from a single network, especially if the power source is limited as in the case of renewable energy. In this paper, a strategy will be proposed for charging networks based on category prioritization. Time-multiplexing the power supply using controllers is the key component of this network logic, which will enable the network to control which EV gets more time being supplied with power and this control structure will also overcome the state-of-charge bias. A scenario of a shaded office parking with solar panels as power source was used to test the strategy, simulation and experiment were carried out to validate the control logic, simulation and experimental testing was successful and results showed this time-multiplexing method can enable the EV charging station to give priority to certain EV to charge faster and prevent the SOC from being the main drive in case of limited power source.