Powering homes with solar panels is the trend in the San Francisco Bay Area. A recent Pew survey found that a majority of Americans either considering installing solar panels on their homes or already have. Starting in 2020, California also became the first state in the nation to make solar mandatory for new home construction.
Solar power delivers lower energy bills, reliable energy, and low maintenance costs. Also, home values appreciate with solar panels. Homes with them installed are easier to sell. Contact a professional Bay Area solar panel contractor to secure these energy benefits.
Solar Power Can Charge Growing Fleet of Electric Cars
Electric car sales in the United States have been increasing constantly since 2011. In December 2020, electric car sales reached an all-time high market share of 2.5 percent of vehicles sold. That may surpass 3.5 percent nationally by the end of 2021, according to IHS Markit’s forecast, reaching 10 percent or more by 2025. Electric vehicle incidence is significantly higher in California.
How Can My Solar Panels Charge My Electric Car?
A significant benefit of solar power for homes is that solar power can also charge electric vehicles. This makes solar power and electric vehicles a great combo. Combining rooftop panels with electric vehicles is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint because all your energy needs come from a renewable source. And you get more predictable, lower energy costs.
Here’s how your solar system can be set up to charge an electric car:
- Your expert Bay Area solar panel contractor will, in consultation with the homeowner, determine the daily energy needs of the home and the electric vehicle(s.) That will define the number of solar panels to install.
- As part of the solar panel installation, the contractor will install an inverter, normally located on a garage wall, which converts the direct current from the solar panels into alternating current. The alternating current feeds into the home’s main breaker, thereby powering everything plugged into the home, including electric vehicles.
- Charging is as simple as plugging the vehicle(s) into the EV charger in the garage every night, just like a cell phone, to have full vehicle power ready the next morning.
A professional East Bay solar panel repair service can also update an existing solar panel system to charge electric cars.
For Solar Power Installations, Choose an Experienced Bay Area Roof and Solar Company
Please contact Century Roof and Solar, based in Hayward, CA for your roofing and solar energy solutions. Since 1996, Century Roof and Solar has served the bay area as the premier residential solar panel systems provider. Our company works with on and off-grid battery back-up systems.