Electric Car Charger Installations In Maine
Looking to power your electric vehicle with solar energy or seeking a dedicated charging solution? We’ve got you covered. Integrating an electric vehicle with a solar electric system stabilizes costs and enables carbon-free, green, renewable energy operation. Prefer a standalone car charger installation? We offer that option, too.
With electric cars’ growing popularity, many of our solar customers are requesting the installation of an electric car charging station in their homes. Over half of new American vehicles are predicted to be all-electric in under 15 years (Business Insider). Maine is also listed as one of the top 10 states supporting EV drivers.
We Install Electric Car Chargers, With Or Without Solar
Maine Solar Solutions offers professional installation services for electric car chargers, even if you’re not integrating them with solar panels. While combining solar panels with car chargers provides sustainable and cost-saving benefits, we understand that not everyone may be ready to install solar panels. Installing a dedicated electric car charger at home offers unmatched convenience, reduces your carbon footprint, and saves money. We are happy to help with your electric car charging needs, with or without solar!
What Is An Electric Vehicle (EV) Car Charger?
We commonly refer to a “car charger” as an EVSE device – or Electric Vehicle Service Equipment. Tesla refers to its charging stations as Wall Connectors.
An EVSE is essentially a smart outlet – an electric vehicle’s charger is located in the car, designed for and mated to its specific battery.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGERS:
- Level 1 — Home Charging: Level 1 charging cords are standard equipment for an electric vehicle. Level 1 charging only requires a standard three-prong 120-volt outlet. An EV owner can expect 40 miles of range in an eight-hour overnight charge. Overnight Level 1 charging is suitable for plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicle drivers driving low miles.
- Level 2—Home and Public Charging: Level 2 charging requires a charging unit on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, similar to a circuit used to power a common electric clothes dryer. The charging rate depends on the vehicle’s acceptance rate and the maximum current (Amps) available. Level 2 chargers range in power between 20 and 80 amps. Our customers request 40 and 60 amp chargers the most often.
Level 2 chargers are the most common public chargers; they can be found at offices, grocery stores, and parking garages. Public Level 2 chargers have a standard EV connection plug that fits all current vehicles except Teslas, which require an adapter.
- Level 3, also known as DC Fast Charging—Public Charging: DC fast charging is the fastest currently available recharging method. It can typically add 50 to 90 miles in 30 minutes, depending on the station’s power capacity and the EV’s make. This type of charger is not available for residential installation.
- Tesla’s Superchargers are even faster, adding up to 170 miles of range in a half-hour. DC fast chargers are most useful for longer trips. This type of charger is not available for residential installation.
Installing An Electric Car Charger
In Maine, installing an electric car charger requires the services of a licensed electrician, and most cities and towns also require an electrical permit and inspection by the town’s electrical inspector.
Great, fast service. We requested a Level 2 charger installation, and within two weeks the contract was delivered, signed, and the charger installed!
– James V., Kennebunkport
Charging Your Electric Vehicle With Solar Electricity
Combining an electric vehicle with a solar system in your home allows you to fix your car’s cost. It truly enables you to operate your EV as a carbon-free, green, renewable energy vehicle!
To charge your electric vehicle with solar, you need only two main components: a Level II electric vehicle charging station and a solar electric system.
Your electric vehicle charging station is simply just another electric load in your home’s breaker panel. Its electricity consumption is included in your annual electric bill and can be offset with a roof-mounted or ground-mounted solar electric system.
Though you can install panels just to charge your car, we recommend installing solar panels to cover your entire home’s electric bill because they bring you the greatest return on your investment. You not only generate solar power for your car, but you produce enough to cover most, if not all, of your home’s energy needs. Excess energy produced by your solar panels during the day can then be used to charge a solar battery like the Tesla Powerwall or sent back to the grid for credits on your power bill through net metering.
How Many Panels Does It Take To Charge Your EV?
Determining how many panels it would take to charge your car can be tricky, as it depends on various factors, such as the type of car, how many miles you drive, and the location of your solar electric system. One helpful thing to determine immediately is how many miles you expect to drive per year and the miles per kWh that your electric car may use. This handy guide can help guide your research. But do not worry – our team of designers and licensed electricians will work with you to design a system specific to your home and usage.
Electric Vehicle = Carbon Free, Sustainable, And Savings!
Level 2 charging modes at home require proper installation by hiring qualified personnel. Maine Solar Solutions has the in-house state of Maine licensed electricians who are skilled in installing Level 2 EV charging stations. Please call us at (207) 871-7191 or fill out the form below, and a team member will be in touch.
