Solar-powered EV charging station comes online in New York

Sustainable Westchester, a New York State-based advocacy group for community resilience and renewable energy, unveiled a new EV fast charging station powered entirely by solar energy. This is the first of its kind in New York State.

The project involves a complex system of an 85 kW solar photovoltaic array, a 180kWh on site storage battery, and twin Jule 75 kW DC fast chargers that can charge any kind of electric vehicle with more than 100 miles of range in under 24 minutes.

The impact of the “Sunshine to EV” project extends well beyond powering EVs: excess electricity generated by the facility is prioritized for low-and moderate-income (LMI) households through Sustainable Westchester’s Community Solar program, which aims to equitably share the benefits of clean energy among historically underserved communities.

The system was partially funded by a $250,000 grant through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure program, and also supported by the North American EV charger manufacturer Jule. The effort builds on recent progress to expand EV charging infrastructure in Westchester County, including the addition of 90 new stations by the City of Yonkers in April 2023, and 34 new stations by the Village of Tuckahoe.

The charging facility is located in a publicly accessible parking lot located at 40 Green Street, which is also the home of the County police, the Mount Kisco Village Court and the Mount Kisco Historical Society. The accessible charging hub serves not only as a modern amenity but also as a gateway to the local community. Positioned within walking distance from the Village’s commercial hub and train station, it beckons zero-emission vehicle owners to explore nearby shops and restaurants while they recharge their rides.

“Our focus on building energy solutions that make communities empowered, self-sustaining and resilient perfectly aligns with the work Sustainable Westchester is doing here in New York,” said Himanshu Sudan, CEO of Jule. “We were thrilled to partner with them on this project and look forward to working together in the future to make renewable energy more readily available to residents and visitors here in Westchester.”

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: https://solarbuildermag.com/news/solar-powered-ev-charging-station-comes-online-in-new-york/]