Advances in Electric Vehicles and Solar Canopies

Report on a Webinar of the Energy and Climate Action Committee, February 14, 2024

The Energy and Climate Action Committee (ECAC) invited Don LaRuffa, Jr. and Adam Thurrell of Revision Energy, said to be the largest solar installer in New England, to speak to the committee and the public regarding advances in electric vehicles and solar canopies. The program was conducted over Zoom and was recorded. The recording can be viewed here beginning at the one-hour mark.

Electric Vehicles Now Offer Extended Range and Some Electricity Production
LaRuffa said that last year, one in five vehicles sold globally was fully electric. In the United States, 2.5 million electric vehicles are registered. He predicts that both of these figures will increase greatly in the near future, because, he maintains, EVs offer “a better driving experience.” According to LaRuffa, they are quieter, have better performance, better handling, produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and require less maintenance. Former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker mandated that, by 2035, all vehicles sold in the state must be fully electric.

Rebates of $7,500 are available for many EVs from federal and state government programs. 

Most electric vehicles now have a range of over 250 miles. Even a small EV, like the Chevy Bolt, has a 60 kWh battery, equal to 10 Tesla power walls in their ability to store electricity. A Rivian truck has a 105 kWh battery, and an electric school bus battery is 155 kWh. LaRuffa said that one of the most exciting developments in EVs is their ability to interact with the electrical grid. This is especially true for school buses, which sit idle most of the day and all summer, but can be used to power air conditioners or other systems, or to provide an emergency power source during an outage. The Massachusetts towns of Concord and Beverley have converted most of their school bus fleets to electric buses.

One of the problems with EVs is that charging stations are not as prevalent as gas stations, but there are incentives to improve the situation. Most EV owners charge their vehicles at home overnight or at work during the day. A level 1 charger (normal outlet) produces only 3–5 miles per hour of range; but a level 2 charger, the most common type, is four times faster, producing 20-40 miles of range per hour. Level 3 fast chargers are most often present near highways and are used intermittently for usually 15–25 minutes at a time. They produce up to 300 miles per hour in range.

The federal government, the state, and the electric companies all provide incentives for adding charging stations. National Grid and Eversource have contributed $420 million toward chargers, covering the entire cost of infrastructure improvements and $60,000 per charging station for the hardware. However, there is a complicated procedure for getting reimbursed.

ECAC member Dwayne Breger commented that, for long trips, he uses his gas-powered vehicle rather than his EV. LaRuffa said that Massachusetts is somewhat behind neighboring states in its EV charging infrastructure, but it is working on a plan to increase charging stations along major corridors. 

Julian Hynes asked if town vehicles are eligible for the $7,500 rebate. Amherst Sustainability Director Stephanie Ciccarello said they are, but the recently purchased police cars are hybrids, so are not eligible. However, she said, as of 2025 the town will have to replace vehicles with an EV if a suitable model is available.

In response to a question by Shoshanna King, Ciccarello said that her department tries to take advantage of “make ready” programs to provide charging stations for apartment complexes.

Carports: The Perfect Spot for Solar
Thurrell noted that half of greenhouse gasses come from transportation. EVs are part of the solution to reducing this number, but it would be preferable not to charge them with electricity produced using fossil fuels. Solar canopies over parking lots provide an ideal location for energy production, since they don’t involve cutting down forests or using farmland. In addition, solar carports offer cars and drivers protection from the elements, keeping both cooler in the summer and warmer in winter, and increasing vehicle performance by up to 25%. They also decrease maintenance costs by protecting the asphalt of the parking lot from snow and rain. 

But, he said, the real benefit of solar carports is their dual use for both parking and energy production. 

There are several styles of solar canopies for parking lots. The single slope cantilevered model can cause problems with snow removal, so the slope is optimally placed so that the snow falls to the periphery of the lot. V-shaped structures, where two panels slope toward each other, are usually preferred for cold climates. Water is allowed to drain through an opening at the low point. Finally, the most power-dense option is a long span carport, which offers total coverage of a parking lot. This style can even be built on the roof of a parking garage.

Although solar canopies over parking lots are efficient producers of solar energy, their disadvantage is in the upfront costs. In addition to the cost of the photovoltaic panels, there is the cost of steel or concrete for the supporting pillars. Also, there is a substantial cost for geotechnical surveys to make sure the soil will support the structures and that stormwater management is adequate. Because of the investment necessary, the state offers increased incentives for larger carport installations.

LaRuffa and Thurrell said they will be at Amherst’s sustainability festival on April 20, 2024, and will look forward to answering more questions from residents.