Dual-Source Solar and Piezoelectric EV Charging Station: A Novel Hardware Solution

Abstract

ElectricVehicles(EVs)arepivotalinreducinggreenhousegasemissionsanddiminishingreliance on fossil fuels. However, conventional EV charging stations often suffer from energy intermittency, particularly during nighttime or under variable weather conditions. This research presents an advanced dual-source EV charging station that integrates solar and piezoelectric energyharvestingtodelivercontinuous,sustainableenergyforEVcharging. The system features bifacial solar panelswithdual-axistracking,maximizingenergycaptureby harnessingdirectand reflected sunlight. Complementing this, piezoelectric tiles, strategically installed in high-traffic zones like parking lots and access roads, generate electricity from mechanical vibrations induced by vehicular movements, ensuring consistent power generation irrespective of environmental conditions. The integration of advanced power management components, including multi-input DC-DC converters, solid-state batteries, and supercapacitors, optimizes energy storage, supports rapid charging, and guarantees stable power delivery. Achieving over 90% overall energy efficiency and reducing grid dependency by up to 80%, the dual-source system ensures 24/7 operation while significantly enhancing energy availability. This eco-friendly architecture promotesreducedcarbonemissions, robustreliability, andenhanceduserconvenience,offeringa transformative solution for sustainable EV charging infrastructure.

Introduction

The transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) is vital for sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, but it requires reliable and sustainable charging infrastructure. While solar-powered EV charging stations are popular for their environmental benefits, their reliance on sunlight makes energy supply intermittent, especially at night or during cloudy weather.

Piezoelectric energy harvesting, which converts mechanical energy from vehicle movements into electricity, offers a promising complementary energy source. Although traditionally used in small-scale applications, piezoelectric systems embedded in high-traffic areas can provide continuous, weather-independent power.

This research proposes a novel dual-source EV charging station combining high-efficiency bifacial solar panels with piezoelectric energy harvesters. The solar panels capture sunlight from both sides and adjust orientation to maximize energy, while piezoelectric tiles generate power from mechanical vibrations caused by vehicle traffic. Energy from both sources is stored in solid-state batteries and supercapacitors and managed by an advanced power management unit for efficient and reliable EV charging.

The dual-source approach overcomes solar energy intermittency by ensuring continuous power availability, making the system scalable and environmentally friendly. The paper includes a literature review, detailed system architecture, methodology, and results demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating solar and piezoelectric energy for sustainable EV charging infrastructure.

Conclusion

The dual-source solar and piezoelectric EV charging station offers an innovative and sustainable solution to address the growing energy demands of electric vehicles (EVs). By integrating high- efficiency bifacial solar panels and durable piezoelectric tiles, the system ensures reliable energy availability around the clock. Advanced hardware components, such as a multi-input DC-DC converter, solid-state batteries, and supercapacitors, contribute to seamless energy management, optimized storage, and faster power delivery. The incorporation of real-time monitoring further enhances user convenience by providing live updates on energy contributions and charging progress, while IoT-enabled sensors enable remote diagnostics and system alerts. Thefollowinggraphswereinstrumentalinhighlightingthesystem’sperformanceandadvantages: 1) EnergyRedundancyOverTime:Demonstratesthecomplementaryrelationshipbetween solar and piezoelectric sources, ensuring 24/7 energy availability. 2) Efficiency Comparison: Illustrates the enhanced conversion efficiency achieved by integrating the two energy sources through a multi-input DC-DC converter. 3) Durability of Components: Emphasizes the long lifespan of piezoelectric tiles, supercapacitors, and solid-state batteries, reducing maintenance and enhancing system reliability. 4) Energy Contribution Breakdown: Highlights the balanced energy supply achieved by combining solar (70%) and piezoelectric (30%) sources. 5) Grid Dependency Reduction Over Time: Showcases the significant reduction in grid dependency (up to 80%) achieved by leveraging renewable energy sources. This dual-source EV charging station represents a significant advancement in sustainable transportation infrastructure, addressing the challenges of energy redundancy, efficiency, and environmental impact. It exemplifies how the integration of renewable energy technologies can contribute to a greener and more reliable future for electric mobility.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 V. Raja, S. Thamizharasi, R. Sasikumar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.