The International Energy Agency reports that electric car sales are skyrocketing in 2023, with over 2.3 million sold in the first quarter, a 25% increase from last year. By the end of 2023, 14 million electric cars are projected to be sold, representing a 35% year-on-year growth. As a result, electric cars could make up 18% of total car sales for the entire year.
With more and more people switching to electric vehicles, the demand for charging infrastructure is greater than ever. This is where Sun-Wind Solutions comes in. As a leading solar energy company with experience installing commercial EV chargers in Connecticut, we have the expertise to design and implement a system that suits your business perfectly. Whether you need Level 2 or Level 3 charging capabilities, our experienced professionals will equip your business with the best solar-powered EV charging station.
Don’t miss out on the immense opportunity that electric vehicle charging brings. Get your business ready for the future of infrastructure with Sun-Wind Solutions.
Industry Statistics on Solar Charging Stations
BlueWeave Consulting, a leading strategic consulting and market research firm, has recently studied the global solar-powered EV charging stations market. According to their findings, the market was valued at USD 202.56 million in 2022. They predict that the market will experience significant growth, with a projected value of USD 365.84 million by 2029.
Regarding EV infrastructure, there has been a substantial increase in public and private electric vehicle charging ports. From the fourth quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2023, the number of charging ports nearly doubled from 87,352 to 161,562. Public charging has consistently grown each quarter since 2019, with public charging ports accounting for about 88% of all charging ports in the first quarter of 2023.
These numbers clearly show the need for an electric car charging station at your business to keep up with demand from both your customers and employees.
Solar EV Stations for New Construction
In the future, expect new building construction to feature electric vehicle charging stations more often than not. A variety of factors drive this trend. First, state and local code requirements, like those in Connecticut, are pushing for this eco-friendly addition. Second, building owners recognize the value of providing this convenience to their workers, patrons, and residents. What drives most businesses over the edge is that the government has allocated a whopping $7.5 billion from the Infrastructure Bill exclusively for charger deployment. This means states and communities are expected to collaborate, paving the way for a network of up to 500,000 chargers across the United States. It’s time to embrace the future of transportation!
Creating “Smart Buildings”
Smart buildings are revolutionizing the way we think about energy and transportation. We can achieve economic, technological, and environmental advantages by combining electric vehicles (EVs) with renewable energy sources. One key aspect of this approach is smart charging, which allows EVs to be charged optimally at affordable rates with solar power. This not only benefits your business but also helps manage the load on the grid during peak hours.
The results of this approach are impressive. Primary buildings implementing solar, storage, and charging stations can see up to a 62% daily profit, even after factoring in deployment costs. Without these facilities, secondary buildings can also benefit by earning up to 20% cost savings through bilateral contracts with primary buildings.
But the benefits don’t stop there. By incorporating commercial solar, energy storage systems, and EV chargers, buildings can reduce electricity bills and increase cash flow. These attractive features save money and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, improving your brand’s image.
By leveraging available space, businesses in various sectors can harness the power of the sun to offset electricity costs and promote sustainability. When combined with commercial solar, EV charging stations add another layer of “smart” features, helping buildings modernize and showcase their commitment to a greener future.
Investing in smart buildings is a win-win situation. You can save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and keep your company relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Adding a Commercial Solar EV Charging Station to Your Existing Property
Whether or not you already utilize solar panels at your commercial building, you can take steps to integrate EV Charging.
- Determine your EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) needs by considering the number of EVs and dwelling patterns in your building.
- Decide on the EVSE levels, quantity, and location to calculate the additional electrical capacity required for designing electrical infrastructure updates. Also, assess energy efficiency opportunities in the buildings to allocate additional electrical capacity for EVSE.
- Obtain all necessary permits and apply for utility upgrades if required.
- Finally, Sun Wind Solutions will install, commission, and test your EV charging system to ensure everything is up and running properly.
Solar EV Charging for Apartments and Multi-Family Buildings
If you own an apartment complex or multifamily building, you can discover the benefits of installing a solar EV charging station for your residents. As EV ownership becomes more commonplace, tenants expect access to solar-powered EV chargers in their homes or complexes. Property owners who fail to provide this amenity may lose potential renters or have current tenants seeking alternative accommodations. Moreover, with rising energy costs, tenants will actively search for complexes with rooftop solar to lower their energy bills.
In the past, apartment residents faced obstacles when accessing solar energy and installing EV charging stations. However, times are changing. With solar electric vehicle charging stations from Sun-Wind, residents and owners can now enjoy the advantages of solar power, including EV charging stations.
There are two wiring options available for apartment electric vehicle charging stations:
- Installation at the designated parking spot of the apartment resident, wired to their apartment’s circuit.
- Installation in the car park, connected to the power circuit, which supplies electricity to common areas and facilities.
When you contact us for your free electric vehicle charging station assessment, we will go over your options and determine which is best for your building.
Commercial EV Charging Station Options
With EV chargers, you have several options that depend on charging speed.
Level I Charging: The Slowest but Cheapest Option
Level I charging is the most common for residential properties. Most homeowners start with Level I chargers. Although it is the slowest option, with cars adding only 3-5 miles of travel per hour, it can be suitable for certain workplaces where employees can charge their cars for up to 8 hours.
Level II Charging: The Standard for Commercial Sites
Level II chargers are the most common option for commercial parking spaces. These chargers are 4-5 times faster than Level I chargers, adding 12-40 miles per hour. They use 208/240V and 30 amp electricity.
Level III Charging: The Speediest Option
For those in need of speed, Level III chargers, also known as DC Fast Chargers, are the way to go. They can fill up batteries at a rate of 35-100+ miles per hour. However, they are more expensive and may not be compatible with all electric vehicles. They are commonly found at high-volume locations such as car dealerships, commercial charging stations, and rest stops.
Your Sun-Wind representative will walk you through your options to decide which charging level is best for your business.
Commercial EV Charging: Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Benefits
If you’re hesitant to install a solar electric car charger because of the cost, consider the numerous rebates and tax incentives available. If you need help navigating financing options and incentives, please contact Sun-Wind; we’d be happy to help you get started.
Federal EV Charging Incentives
The US federal government offers a tax credit for purchasing and installing a residential EV charger. You could get up to 30% or $1,000 back when you purchase and install a solar EV charger by December 31, 2032. Make sure to claim the credit on your federal tax return.
If you’re a qualifying business, you can also take advantage of the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit. Under Code 30C, you can enjoy a 30% tax credit, up to $100,000, for electric charging infrastructure and other alternate fueling methods installed and placed in service between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032. It’s a win-win for your business and the environment!
With every state and utility provider offering different incentives that change frequently, it’s important to stay up to date. For the most current information, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy webpage.
State EV Charging Incentives
In addition to federal programs, Connecticut residents have access to fantastic solar incentives that help make going solar more affordable. While the federal ITC is a major incentive, the state-level incentives in Connecticut further reduce the cost.
The three main state-level EV charging incentives in Connecticut are:
Connecticut is proud to announce a new nine-year program to support the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state. With a focus on equity and inclusion, the Connecticut Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program is designed to foster a self-sustaining market for zero-emission vehicles.
Starting January 1, 2022, Eversource and The United Illuminating Company (UI) will administer this groundbreaking program. It provides a combination of incentives for infrastructure, including electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and fast charging stations, along with innovative rate design offerings.
Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut is an initiative dedicated to helping Connecticut citizens make informed decisions about their energy usage. By providing valuable resources and information, Energize Connecticut makes it easy for businesses to lower their electric bill, ultimately building a clean energy future for all. Funding for this initiative is made possible through a charge on customer energy bills.
Norwich Public Utilities Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption
Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) is committed to promoting electric vehicle adoption among its customers. Eligible NPU electric customers can receive up to a $1,500 rebate when purchasing or leasing a new or used all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Additionally, NPU is offering a generous $4,000 rebate for the purchase and installation of EV charging equipment.
To qualify for these rebates, NPU customers must be current on their utility account and purchase the eligible vehicle from a licensed car dealership. Proof of purchase is required. For further details about NPU’s EV and charging equipment rebates, please visit our website at norwichpublicutilities.com.
Sales Tax Exemption
Purchasing a solar PV system in Connecticut doesn’t incur sales tax, saving you between $1,200 and $1,400. This reduces the initial out-of-pocket cost and makes solar more accessible to residents. On average, customers save around $1,334 on sales tax when they purchase a system.
These incentives help make solar energy more affordable and accessible to a wide range of Connecticut residents looking to switch to renewable energy.
Future-Proof Your Business with a Solar EV Charging Station
Is your business future-proof when it comes to the changing needs of your employees and customers? You may not think that green initiatives are important for keeping up with your competition, but visible steps like these show your brand is a forward-thinking leader in the industry.
Start Now
It is important that you don’t wait to act. Installing electrical infrastructure can take up to 36 months, with waiting lists getting longer. Sun-Wind estimates the timeline and works to streamline the process for you.
Consider a Microgrid
A microgrid is a self-contained energy system that operates independently from the utility line. It stores energy for future use and can connect bidirectionally to the central grid, providing flexibility and reliability.
Renewable energy sources like solar power can generate energy for your microgrid, storing excess energy for your use. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows charged EV batteries to provide additional energy and even return power back to the grid during peak usage times.
Benefiting from V2G
Your business could profit from V2G, as some utilities buy back electricity during peak demand. V2G enables EVs to send unused energy back to the grid, effectively managing energy demand and supply. By joining V2G programs, charging station owners can earn revenue by supplying energy during peak demand periods. This innovative solution not only stabilizes the grid but also offers a lucrative opportunity for charging station owners to generate additional income.
Solar Powered Car Charging Station Maintenance
The importance of proper maintenance for EV charging infrastructure cannot be overstated. You can minimize downtime and repair costs by managing on-site repairs and implementing scheduled preventative maintenance tasks. Additionally, ensuring visibility and control for tracking uptime and performance, as well as tracking the performance of suppliers, is crucial.
When it comes to solar panel maintenance, the good news is that it is minimal. While solar panels do not have moving parts, it is still important to keep an eye on their condition and performance. Regular cleaning to remove dirt and debris is necessary, especially after storms or during long periods without rainfall. We recommend an annual inspection with your Sun-Wind solar specialist to ensure everything is in working order.
The frequency of solar panel maintenance depends on factors such as location, climate, environment, and weather conditions. We recommend cleaning at least twice a year to prevent excessive dirt and debris buildup. It is important to consult the manual Sun-Wind provides with your solar panels for specific maintenance practices and recommendations.
Aside from the solar array, maintaining and managing operations of an EV charging station requires focusing on four key elements:
- Minimize downtime and optimize on-site repair costs by efficiently managing on-site repairs. Ensuring that repair costs don’t exceed the return on investment is crucial for success.
- Stay on top of scheduled preventative maintenance tasks and track the results of inspections. Compliance with operational, electrical, and government uptime regulations should be ensured even in the absence of inspections.
- Maintain visibility and control by tracking uptime and performance for each site and asset.
- Utilize business intelligence reporting to gain valuable insights from clean and accurate operations data. These insights can guide informed decision-making for the business.
Your Sun-Wind representative will talk to you about our maintenance plans to make sure every element of your new solar-powered car charger will continue to bring you efficient charging and energy savings.
Why Choose Sun-Wind Solutions?
We are the experts you can trust when it comes to solar power. As proud Solar Energy Industries Association members, we specialize in designing and installing home and commercial solar systems. Our team of professionals will help determine the perfect solution for your energy needs. We prioritize clean energy production while also considering the aesthetics your company values.
There are several reasons why we are the best solar company in Connecticut:
Experienced Professionals: Our team consists of solar industry professionals with years of experience and individual certifications. We have the expertise to handle every phase of your project, from the initial site evaluation to commissioning.
Free Site Evaluations: Contact us for a free, no-obligation site evaluation by our expert Connecticut solar installers. We’ll determine if solar energy is right for your property.
Comprehensive Support: We understand that adding clean solar energy can be daunting. That’s why we take the time to answer all your questions and concerns, ensuring you feel informed and at ease throughout the process.
Making Your Investment Work: We offer various options to assist with the purchase of your solar system, including programs and incentives that can offset up to 50% of the cost. We’ll show you how renewable energy is a low-risk, high-yield investment.
Customized Designs: We design and install solar power systems based on your specific goals and needs. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we treat your home or business as if it were our own.
Exceptional Service: We provide state-of-the-art, high-efficiency components, ensuring the quality and integrity of your system. We source components tailored to your project, guaranteeing the best value and service.
Charge Up Your Business with Sun-Wind
Your journey to clean energy starts with Sun-Wind. Trust the best team in the business and experience unbeatable service. Contact us today to drive your company forward with solar EV charging!
