Buying an electric vehicle? When installing an EV charger, solar should be considered as part of the solution.

Demand for EVs continues to spike across Canada, with millennials leading the way: KPMG

According to a recent survey by KPMG, 71 percent of Canadians would consider an EV the next time they buy a vehicle. The numbers rise further in Ontario, with 74 percent of Ontarians and 77 percent of British Columbians considering an EV. The interest in EVs is also skewed heavily with millennials leading market interest. 77 percent of 25-34 year-olds and 76 percent of those aged 35-44 will consider an EV as their next purchase.

The most convenient place to charge your EV is at home with a level 2 charger

Cutting the cord to the gas station, but to gain to full benefits of owning an EV, you need to have a good setup at home. According to PlugNDrive, most commuters travel less than 60 KM per day roundtrip, so there’s no need to go to a public charging station, unless you are heading out on a road trip. A level 2 charger is essential to speed up charging time and efficiently charge your car overnight.  It’s as simple as plugging your car when you get home and letting it charge while you sleep.

Demands for electricity and other energy sources are soaring

While the convenience of having EV charging at home is wonderful, be prepared for an increase in your electricity costs. Whether it is war, drought, or production shortages, the trade-off on increasing electricity grid demand is either rotational brownouts or soaring electricity prices. In the last four months, Australia, cities throughout the United States, and countries across Europe have all faced critical grid shortages and prices have skyrocketed throughout the world.

Think increasing energy prices can’t happen in Canada? Think again.

Canada isn’t immune to increasing energy costs. In June, the Ontario Energy Board approved a 20 percent increase in the cost of natural gas, and now energy analysts are ringing alarms that the price of natural gas will increase bills by 30 percent during the winter months. According to StatsCan, as of May, gas prices have risen 48 percent and the cost of electricity is up 4.6 percent over last year.

The sun is free: hedging against the soaring costs of energy

While there is an upfront cost to install solar panels, prices have continued to decline. According to the International Energy Agency, solar is now the cheapest electricity in history, and is much cheaper than coal and gas in most major countries. The use of solar panels offsets your electricity expenses for EVs, effectively creating a hedge against rising utility costs by fixing the per kWH rate at the cost of your installation.

Solar can keep your EV and other household essentials running, in spite of grid brownouts

The sun always rises and sets, while electrical grids are increasingly under pressure. According to the Canadian Climate Institute, electrical grid demand will grow to 1.6 to 2.1 times larger by 2050. However, even today, cities across the world are seeing increased grid demand, often tipping into brownout territory.

Solar canopies: new ways to introduce solar with design and function in mind

While solar panels have been typically retrofitted on roofs, there are continually innovative ways to introduce solar, including carports, gazebos, pergolas and patio covers. While retail parking has led the way to introduce solar canopies in parking lots, there are many ways to introduce practical, yet beautifully designed solar into your property. For example, solar carports offer shade and protection from rain and snow. They can be added on top of existing parking spaces, and they can easily be integrated with EV charging.

I own a house. How do I even get started?

Your solar requirements will vary, but we can help design a solution for your circumstances and energy use. If you want a traditional install, it is dependent upon the type of roof you have, weather conditions, and location. In many cases, you can also provide energy back to the grid, and get compensated, further offsetting your costs.

Want to know more about EV charging and solar in Canada and how we can help you get started? Check out our EV Charging, Backup Power, and Custom Solar Power Solutions today!