Evaluation of solar photovoltaic carport canopy with electric vehicle charging potential

Hoda Fakour; Moslem Imani; Shang-Lien Lo; Mei-Hua Yuan; Chih-Kuei Chen; Shariat Mobasser; Isara Muangthai

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-29223-6

Evaluation of solar photovoltaic carport canopy with electric vehicle charging potential

Sci Rep. 2023 Feb 6;13(1):2136. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-29223-6.

Authors

Hoda Fakour¹, Moslem Imani², Shang-Lien Lo^{3

4}, Mei-Hua Yuan⁵, Chih-Kuei Chen⁶, Shariat Mobasser⁷, Isara Muangthai⁸

Affiliations

¹ International Program for Sustainable Development, International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City, 71101, Taiwan.
² Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, 106, Taiwan.
³ Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, 106, Taiwan. sllo@ntu.edu.tw.
⁴ Water Innovation, Low-Carbon and Environmental Sustainability Research Center, College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106, Taiwan. sllo@ntu.edu.tw.
⁵ Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica (AS), Academia Rd, No. 128, Sec. 2, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Environmental Engineering, National Ilan University, Yilan City, 26047, Taiwan.
⁷ College of Engineering, Center for the Environment and Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
⁸ Warash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Solent University, Southampton, UK.

Abstract

While sustainable mobility and decarbonization of transportation sector are among the most comprehensive solutions to the problem of climate change, electric vehicles (EV) are becoming increasingly popular as the future mode of transport. In this study, the integration of a solar carport canopy to a potential EV charging station is analyzed using various operating conditions. A detailed analysis has been provided for the carport located in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung city, where electricity generation, emission impacts, and financial analysis of the solar EV charging station are discussed. The results of a case study showed a potential of 140 MWh/year of solar energy yield, which could provide solar electricity of more than 3000 vehicles per month with 1-h parking time, generating 94% lower total carbon dioxide emission than the electricity produced from traditional grid methods. Taken into account the impact of carbon tax implementation on driver economics, the results demonstrated the viability of such photovoltaic (PV)-based charging stations, particularly for possible higher carbon tax scenarios in the future. The presented results can be implemented on a larger scale, offering guidelines and tools for constructing solar-powered EV charging station infrastructure.

Abstract

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