Design and Analysis of Off-Grid Solar-Powered EV Charging Stations for Sustainable Transportation in Bangladesh – A Case Study

Electric Vehicles (EVs) hold significant importance in today's world due to their capability in reducing environmental pollution and their potential to ensure sustainable transportation. In Bangladesh, EV integration into the transportation system is also showing great potential. To this end, this paper presents a generalized methodology for designing and assessing the viability of off-grid solar-powered EV charging station (EVCS) in Bangladesh. The methodology considers weather profile of selected area, cost assessment, performance evaluation and environmental factor analysis, concurrently. To implement the method, the PVsyst platform is utilized. In this work, three Bangladeshi cities, namely Dhaka, Chittagong, and Rajshahi are selected to assess the feasibility of the proposed system. EVCS of 16.25 kWp, 19.50kWp and 35.80 kWp are considered in each site for the most appropriate selection of charging station. Moreover, different solar PV technology is also utilized to check performance of the proposed charging station. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is conducted comparing the proposed station with a conventional fossil-fuel-based station. According to the findings, among the three systems studied, the off-grid 16.25 kWp system exhibits the best energy efficiency. The performance ratio for the EVCS in Dhaka city is found to be 0.771. With an impressive utilization rate of 93% and a total energy availability of 21,698 kWh, the system proves highly effective in utilizing solar power. Using monocrystalline modules is found to be advantageous, leading to increased energy production and overall economic benefits. The envisioned EVCS in Dhaka is capable of charging around 676 electric vehicles per year, each equipped with 30 kWh batteries. This results in a notable reduction of approximately 3,530 kg in carbon dioxide emissions. The research findings are expected to be valuable for decision-makers, researchers, and stakeholders in the transportation and renewable energy sectors in implementing eco-friendly transportation solutions in Bangladesh.