University Research

Decarbonization Avenue University research @ CLIMAX

Solar energy farms could offer second life for electric vehicle batteries

Objective/theme

Modeling study shows battery reuse systems could be profitable for both electric vehicle companies and grid-scale solar operations.

Process & benefits

Batteries could still have a useful and profitable second life as backup storage for grid-scale solar photovoltaic installations, where they could perform for more than a decade in this less demanding role.

New battery installation would not provide a reasonable net return on investment, but that a properly managed system of used EV batteries could be a good, profitable investment as long as the batteries cost less than 60 percent of their original price.