Phoenix Contact has unveiled its new solar charging port for electric vehicles at its headquarters in Middletown, Pa. The unveiling took place as part of the company's Earth Day activities.
Almost entirely student-designed and built, the charging port includes 12 south-facing solar panels, Apollo Solar inverter and Concorde AGM batteries that collect sunlight during the day. The design of the control panel cabinet, however, uses almost all Phoenix Contact products.
The placement of the solar panels allows for optimal light collection, with an additional 4 kW of battery reserve for the electric vehicle.
The advantage of a solar-powered charging station over conventional charging stations is that it does not rely on power from a utility company, and therefore puts no additional demand on the grid. The use of a solar-powered charging station eliminates that long-term issue and saves the consumer money over time.
"We're excited about the innovation of our summer interns and Phoenix Contact's capabilities that address a vital issue for the future of e-mobility," said Jack Nehlig, president of Phoenix Contact USA.
The complete charging station takes up no more than a regular car parking space.
