Electrification | Hydro-Québec is testing a solar-powered charging station

Hydro-Québec's Electric Circuit recently deployed a fast charging station for electric vehicles entirely powered by solar energy in Laval.

Built in conjunction with the Quebec company YULtek, this station draws its energy from a series of solar panels with a maximum capacity of 16 kW. These send the captured energy to “several second-life automobile batteries”, specifies the press release. The assembly supplies electricity to a 50 kW fast terminal compatible with most electric vehicles currently in circulation.

“The system is also designed to be able to accept several types of power supply in parallel,” indicates the state-owned company. Wind turbines, microturbines and generators could take over when the sun is obscured.

This “test bench” seeks to make the network of terminals accessible in sectors which do not have electrical networks. A problem that will become more and more glaring with the electrification of Quebec's vehicle fleet. For those interested, charging is offered free of charge during the trial period, but has longer start-up times than conventional terminals.