Performance of a Solar EV Charger in the Pacific Island Countries

The unsustainable dependence of the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) on imported fossil fuels and climate change concerns have made the region to look for alternative sources for energy. A major portion of fossil fuels goes towards transportation and it is imperative that other options such as biofuels and hybrids/EVs are seriously explored. Considering the small distances involved, EVs can be profitably deployed in urban areas and also within the myriad tourist resorts spread across the Pacific islands. Solar PV based charging stations can play a major role in this endeavor. This paper describes the design and performance of first solar electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the Pacific Island Countries. The actual performance of this 2.6 kWp station is compared with the simulated results obtained using HOMER. Finally, the paper also looks at the way forward for development of electric mobility in the region.