The rapid growth of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in tropical regions necessitates reliable, cost-effective, and low-carbon charging infrastructure. Solar-integrated charging stations (SICS) offer significant potential due to high solar irradiance; however, their large-scale deployment is constrained by solar intermittency and the high cost of conventional battery energy storage systems. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental evaluation of a second-life battery-photovoltaic (SLB-PV) hybrid EV charging station designed for tropical climates, using Malaysia as a representative case study. The proposed system, comprising a 15 kW photovoltaic array, 50 kWh second-life lithium-ion battery storage, and dual 22 kW AC chargers, is modeled using HOMER Pro for system optimization and MATLAB Simulink for dynamic and thermal performance analysis. Simulation results demonstrate a 40% reduction in the Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS) compared to equivalent systems using new batteries, achieving an average renewable energy self-sufficiency ratio of 78%. The system offsets approximately 90-120 kWh/day of grid electricity, corresponding to an annual reduction of about 1.2 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions per charging station, as confirmed through Monte Carlo-based lifecycle assessment. Experimental validation of repurposed CALB battery modules indicates stable degradation behavior, with only 3-4% capacity loss after 100 charge-discharge cycles, confirming their suitability for stationary applications. Sensitivity analysis further identifies battery State of Health and seasonal solar variability as critical factors influencing system reliability. Overall, the results establish SLB-PV hybrid charging stations as a technically robust, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable solution for advancing clean e-mobility and circular energy infrastructure in tropical regions.
Sarker et al. (Tue,) studied this question.