Solar Systems with Integrated Electric Vehicle Chargers
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
âĶ.like Peas and Carrots
As referenced in our accompanying EV Growth Blogs, the adoption of Electric Vehicles has skyrocketed in recent years. This is small wonder considering EV purchasers can look forward to a 30% federal tax credit on the upfront cost, reduction of fuel costs of at least 60% (according to this Nissan Leaf ownerâs calculations), and State Grants/tax credits where applicable (Maryland, for example) and the negation of various oil changes and maintenance costs that accompany an internal combustion engine. For homeowners who have discovered the substantial energy savings by purchasing (not leasing!) a solar residential system, itâs a natural step to want to extend these savings to their current, or future, electrified vehicle.
Ahead of the curve on this natural progression is an innovative new product from inverter manufacturer SolarEdge. All solar systems have two major components 1. Solar panel arrays 2. Inverter(s) that convert incoming DC energy to appliance-ready AC energy. As the national leader in residential inverter supply, SolarEdge made a great move in developing an Inverter that has a built-in EV Charger with a 25â charge connector. Net energy meter customers (NEM) or energy generating customers interconnected to Pepco are not eligible to apply for the R-PIV rate.
Why not choose a separate EV Charger?
Four reasons:
- Cost. Upgrading to an inverter that has a built-in EV Car Charger comes at around a $1000 cost increase (assuming one inverter/car charger). However, this upgrade â as part of the solar installation â qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit, putting the material cost at around the same as a separate stand-alone EV Charger such as Clipper City. In addition, the integrated inverter has no additional labor or electrician charges â its all covered in the solar install.
- Warranty. Popular stand-alone Car Chargers such as Clipper City come with a 3- year warranty. Solar Edgeâs integrated inverter has a 12-year warranty, with upgrades up to 25 years available.
- Design Elegance. Between service panels, routers, generators and other wall-mounted electronics â its nice to have a 2-in-1 solution and save some wall space. No additional wiring or conduits needed. Of course, the inverter does need to be placed within 25â of where the EV will be parked nightly.
- All Pros no Cons. As with Stand-alone chargers, Solar Edgeâs integrated solution allows for indoor/outdoor placement, comes with a 25â connector and offers software that tracks your EVâs energy consumption that is accessible from desktop or phone, and can be controlled remotely.
Thinking Ahead
Due to the clear advantages, and seeming inevitability of rapid EV adoption by the majority of Americans by the Year 2030, we now ask all of our prospective solar shoppers two questions:
- âDo you plan to buy an Electric Vehicle in the not-so-distant future?â
- If so, â What is your expected weekly/annual mileage?â
Mileage calculations inform how many solar panels we should add to the array in order to cover as much EV car use as possible (as roof space allows). Worth noting for our Washington DC/Montgomery County solar customers, PEPCO does require us to fill out an Electrical Usage Calculation Sheet if the solar system is sized over 120% larger than the past 12 months usage history. In those cases we simply submit the estimated kWh increase (as per expected mileage calculations) that the EV will add.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What Net Zero Meant for Us? Our Severna Park based, four-person family was looking to offset some of our homeâs dirty energy, but we really did not have an expectation we could offset it all, but we had to start somewhere. We took our first step shortly after I joined the
Eureka. we have arrived!… In April of 2018 we received a $46 check from BGE for the annual overage from solar. With the kids heading off to college soon and a new refrigerator around the corner, Iâm confident our checks from BGE will be getting bigger for the near future. At least until we purchase an electric carâĶ

Maintenance
Itâs no secret that hundreds of thousands of homes have installed roof mountedÂ
Whoâs at Risk?
Installing Critter Guard
Critter Guard is now a standard option that we offer to our customers and we strongly encourage it when the structure has trees that are encroaching on the rooftop. While the tree branches may not be close enough today to make contact with the roof, over time, if not maintained, they can grow out to become that ideal path to an appealing new nesting site.
Ways in which solar panel arrays can affix to a commercial building are as many and varied as the buildings they serve. In this article, weâre focusing on one popular method of attachment â the Ballasted roof mounted system.
CBF Merrill Center to Install 106 kW Solar System
The Challenges:
FREDERICK, MD: Today SES was informed by the Frederick County’s Solarize Committee that they were chosen to be the official Solar Water Heater installer for the Solarize Frederick County initiative.
Many of our prospective customers have been waiting to buy their panels in the hopes of significant advancement. âI want the technology to mature ” they say, â and be state-of-the-artâ. Well, the closest you can get to those standards with a production panel is with SunPower.