Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Can I install EV charging stations at my business?
Yes. EV charging stations can be installed at many retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, apartment communities, hotels, churches, entertainment venues, parking facilities, and other commercial properties. We can help evaluate your property, electrical capacity, parking configuration, expected charging demand, and the type of charging equipment that may be appropriate.
How can EV charging benefit my business?
EV charging can provide an additional amenity for customers while helping your business prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. Depending on the charging system and business model, charging stations may also create a new source of revenue and encourage customers to spend more time at your location.
Can my business charge customers to use an EV charging station?
Yes. Many networked commercial charging stations allow the site owner or operator to establish pricing for charging. Pricing options can vary by charging network, equipment, local regulations, and the business model selected for the property.
Can I decide how much customers pay to charge?
Depending on the charging network and equipment, site owners may have flexibility in establishing charging prices, such as charging by energy consumed, time connected, session, or other permitted pricing structures. We can help you understand the available options for your location.
What is the difference between Level 2 and DC fast charging?
Level 2 chargers are commonly used at locations where customers may remain parked for an extended period, such as restaurants, shopping centers, workplaces, hotels, and multifamily properties.
DC fast chargers provide significantly faster charging and may be better suited for high-traffic locations, travel corridors, convenience-oriented businesses, and sites designed specifically as charging destinations.
How many EV chargers should I install?
There is no single answer for every property. The right number depends on available parking, electrical capacity, customer traffic, nearby charging competition, expected EV demand, budget, and the property's long-term goals. A site evaluation can help determine an appropriate starting configuration.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical service?
Not always. Some properties already have sufficient electrical capacity, while others may require electrical upgrades or load-management technology. Evaluating available power is an important part of planning a commercial EV charging installation.
Can EV charging stations accept credit cards or other forms of payment?
Commercial charging equipment can offer several payment options depending on the equipment and charging network. These may include mobile apps, RFID cards, contactless payments, credit/debit payment options, or other payment methods.
Who maintains the charging stations after installation?
Maintenance responsibilities depend on the equipment, network provider, warranty, and service agreement. We can help businesses plan for ongoing network services, maintenance, repairs, monitoring, and customer support as part of the overall charging strategy.
Can EV charging attract new customers?
EV charging can make a business more convenient for EV drivers and can help put participating locations on charging maps and mobile applications that drivers use to locate charging stations. The customer impact will depend on factors such as location, charger type, pricing, accessibility, and local EV demand.
Are incentives or grants available for commercial EV charging?
Programs may be available through utilities, government agencies, local programs, or clean-energy funding initiatives. Eligibility and funding levels change over time, so available incentives should be reviewed for each individual project.
Can you help us determine whether our property is a good location for EV charging?
Yes. A site assessment can examine factors such as vehicle traffic, surrounding businesses, nearby charging stations, electrical capacity, parking, accessibility, expected utilization, installation costs, and potential revenue.
Can EV chargers be installed at apartments and multifamily properties?
Yes. EV charging can be installed at apartment communities, condominiums, mixed-use developments, and other multifamily properties. Different equipment and payment structures can be considered depending on whether charging is intended for residents, visitors, employees, or the general public.
Can EV charging be combined with solar and battery storage?
Yes. EV charging can be part of a broader clean-energy strategy that includes solar generation, battery storage, energy management, and other efficiency improvements. The appropriate configuration depends on the property and its energy requirements.
Solar Energy
Is my home a good candidate for solar?
Many homes can benefit from solar, but every property is different. Roof orientation, shading, roof condition, available space, electricity consumption, utility rates, and local requirements can all affect whether solar is a good fit.
How much can solar reduce my electric bill?
Savings vary by household or business. Your electricity usage, solar-system size, utility rate structure, available sunlight, financing, and other factors determine how much of your electricity costs can potentially be offset.
Does solar work on cloudy days?
Yes. Solar panels can still generate electricity when the sky is cloudy, although production is generally lower than during direct sunlight. Solar systems are designed using expected annual production rather than assuming every day will have full sunshine.
Does solar work in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest?
Yes. Solar systems can operate effectively in the Pacific Northwest. System design considers seasonal changes, local weather patterns, available sunlight, roof orientation, and expected annual energy production.
Do solar panels work during a power outage?
A standard grid-connected solar system generally shuts down during a utility outage for safety reasons. A properly designed solar-plus-battery system may be able to provide backup electricity to selected circuits or loads when utility power is unavailable.
Should I add battery storage to my solar system?
Battery storage can be useful for homeowners and businesses interested in backup power, energy resilience, or greater control over when stored solar electricity is used. Whether a battery makes financial and practical sense depends on your goals and energy needs.
How long do solar panels last?
Modern solar panels are designed for long-term operation and commonly carry manufacturer performance warranties extending 20 years or more. Actual warranty terms and expected production vary by manufacturer and equipment.
What happens if my roof needs to be replaced?
Roof condition should be evaluated before installing rooftop solar. If a roof is approaching the end of its useful life, it may make sense to complete necessary roofing work before installing the solar array.
Can solar be installed on a commercial building?
Yes. Offices, warehouses, retail properties, churches, multifamily developments, nonprofits, and other commercial properties may be candidates for rooftop, ground-mounted, or canopy solar installations.
Can solar panels be installed over a parking lot?
Yes. Solar canopies can provide electricity generation while also creating covered parking. Depending on the site, solar canopies can also be designed alongside EV charging stations and battery-storage systems.
Can I combine solar with EV charging at my home?
Yes. Homeowners who own or plan to purchase an electric vehicle can consider their vehicle's charging needs when designing a solar system. This can help account for the additional electricity that may be used for transportation.
Can a business combine solar with EV charging?
Yes. Businesses can evaluate solar, EV charging, battery storage, and energy-efficiency improvements together as part of a larger energy strategy. This approach can help determine how the different technologies interact with the property's electrical demand.
Are incentives available for solar?
Federal, state, utility, and local programs may provide incentives for qualifying solar or battery-storage projects. Programs and eligibility requirements can change, so current incentives should be reviewed when planning a project.
How much does a solar system cost?
Solar costs depend on system size, equipment, installation conditions, electrical work, roof or site characteristics, battery storage, and other project requirements. A property-specific assessment is the best way to develop an accurate estimate.
What is the first step if I'm interested in solar?
The first step is understanding your goals and evaluating the property. From there, electricity usage, available space, solar exposure, electrical infrastructure, system size, estimated production, costs, and potential incentives can be reviewed before moving forward.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Whether you're a business considering EV charging, a homeowner exploring solar, or a property owner interested in combining solar, battery storage, and EV charging, we can help you understand your options.
Start with a property and energy assessment. We’ll help identify the right solution for your location, goals, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about EV charging or solar energy? We help homeowners, businesses, property owners, and organizations understand their options and determine which clean-energy solutions make sense for their property.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Can I install EV charging stations at my business?
Yes. EV charging stations can be installed at many retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, apartment communities, hotels, churches, entertainment venues, parking facilities, and other commercial properties. We can help evaluate your property, electrical capacity, parking configuration, expected charging demand, and the type of charging equipment that may be appropriate.
How can EV charging benefit my business?
EV charging can provide an additional amenity for customers while helping your business prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. Depending on the charging system and business model, charging stations may also create a new source of revenue and encourage customers to spend more time at your location.
Can my business charge customers to use an EV charging station?
Yes. Many networked commercial charging stations allow the site owner or operator to establish pricing for charging. Pricing options can vary by charging network, equipment, local regulations, and the business model selected for the property.
Can I decide how much customers pay to charge?
Depending on the charging network and equipment, site owners may have flexibility in establishing charging prices, such as charging by energy consumed, time connected, session, or other permitted pricing structures. We can help you understand the available options for your location.
What is the difference between Level 2 and DC fast charging?
Level 2 chargers are commonly used at locations where customers may remain parked for an extended period, such as restaurants, shopping centers, workplaces, hotels, and multifamily properties.
DC fast chargers provide significantly faster charging and may be better suited for high-traffic locations, travel corridors, convenience-oriented businesses, and sites designed specifically as charging destinations.
How many EV chargers should I install?
There is no single answer for every property. The right number depends on available parking, electrical capacity, customer traffic, nearby charging competition, expected EV demand, budget, and the property's long-term goals. A site evaluation can help determine an appropriate starting configuration.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical service?
Not always. Some properties already have sufficient electrical capacity, while others may require electrical upgrades or load-management technology. Evaluating available power is an important part of planning a commercial EV charging installation.
Can EV charging stations accept credit cards or other forms of payment?
Commercial charging equipment can offer several payment options depending on the equipment and charging network. These may include mobile apps, RFID cards, contactless payments, credit/debit payment options, or other payment methods.
Who maintains the charging stations after installation?
Maintenance responsibilities depend on the equipment, network provider, warranty, and service agreement. We can help businesses plan for ongoing network services, maintenance, repairs, monitoring, and customer support as part of the overall charging strategy.
Can EV charging attract new customers?
EV charging can make a business more convenient for EV drivers and can help put participating locations on charging maps and mobile applications that drivers use to locate charging stations. The customer impact will depend on factors such as location, charger type, pricing, accessibility, and local EV demand.
Are incentives or grants available for commercial EV charging?
Programs may be available through utilities, government agencies, local programs, or clean-energy funding initiatives. Eligibility and funding levels change over time, so available incentives should be reviewed for each individual project.
Can you help us determine whether our property is a good location for EV charging?
Yes. A site assessment can examine factors such as vehicle traffic, surrounding businesses, nearby charging stations, electrical capacity, parking, accessibility, expected utilization, installation costs, and potential revenue.
Can EV chargers be installed at apartments and multifamily properties?
Yes. EV charging can be installed at apartment communities, condominiums, mixed-use developments, and other multifamily properties. Different equipment and payment structures can be considered depending on whether charging is intended for residents, visitors, employees, or the general public.
Can EV charging be combined with solar and battery storage?
Yes. EV charging can be part of a broader clean-energy strategy that includes solar generation, battery storage, energy management, and other efficiency improvements. The appropriate configuration depends on the property and its energy requirements.
Solar Energy
Is my home a good candidate for solar?
Many homes can benefit from solar, but every property is different. Roof orientation, shading, roof condition, available space, electricity consumption, utility rates, and local requirements can all affect whether solar is a good fit.
How much can solar reduce my electric bill?
Savings vary by household or business. Your electricity usage, solar-system size, utility rate structure, available sunlight, financing, and other factors determine how much of your electricity costs can potentially be offset.
Does solar work on cloudy days?
Yes. Solar panels can still generate electricity when the sky is cloudy, although production is generally lower than during direct sunlight. Solar systems are designed using expected annual production rather than assuming every day will have full sunshine.
Does solar work in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest?
Yes. Solar systems can operate effectively in the Pacific Northwest. System design considers seasonal changes, local weather patterns, available sunlight, roof orientation, and expected annual energy production.
Do solar panels work during a power outage?
A standard grid-connected solar system generally shuts down during a utility outage for safety reasons. A properly designed solar-plus-battery system may be able to provide backup electricity to selected circuits or loads when utility power is unavailable.
Should I add battery storage to my solar system?
Battery storage can be useful for homeowners and businesses interested in backup power, energy resilience, or greater control over when stored solar electricity is used. Whether a battery makes financial and practical sense depends on your goals and energy needs.
How long do solar panels last?
Modern solar panels are designed for long-term operation and commonly carry manufacturer performance warranties extending 20 years or more. Actual warranty terms and expected production vary by manufacturer and equipment.
What happens if my roof needs to be replaced?
Roof condition should be evaluated before installing rooftop solar. If a roof is approaching the end of its useful life, it may make sense to complete necessary roofing work before installing the solar array.
Can solar be installed on a commercial building?
Yes. Offices, warehouses, retail properties, churches, multifamily developments, nonprofits, and other commercial properties may be candidates for rooftop, ground-mounted, or canopy solar installations.
Can solar panels be installed over a parking lot?
Yes. Solar canopies can provide electricity generation while also creating covered parking. Depending on the site, solar canopies can also be designed alongside EV charging stations and battery-storage systems.
Can I combine solar with EV charging at my home?
Yes. Homeowners who own or plan to purchase an electric vehicle can consider their vehicle's charging needs when designing a solar system. This can help account for the additional electricity that may be used for transportation.
Can a business combine solar with EV charging?
Yes. Businesses can evaluate solar, EV charging, battery storage, and energy-efficiency improvements together as part of a larger energy strategy. This approach can help determine how the different technologies interact with the property's electrical demand.
Are incentives available for solar?
Federal, state, utility, and local programs may provide incentives for qualifying solar or battery-storage projects. Programs and eligibility requirements can change, so current incentives should be reviewed when planning a project.
How much does a solar system cost?
Solar costs depend on system size, equipment, installation conditions, electrical work, roof or site characteristics, battery storage, and other project requirements. A property-specific assessment is the best way to develop an accurate estimate.
What is the first step if I'm interested in solar?
The first step is understanding your goals and evaluating the property. From there, electricity usage, available space, solar exposure, electrical infrastructure, system size, estimated production, costs, and potential incentives can be reviewed before moving forward.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Whether you're a business considering EV charging, a homeowner exploring solar, or a property owner interested in combining solar, battery storage, and EV charging, we can help you understand your options.
Start with a property and energy assessment. We’ll help identify the right solution for your location, goals, and budget. Energy production depends on sunlight (weather + nighttime issues)
- Requires space for installation
Q6: Can solar power work on cloudy days?
A: Yes, but energy output is lower. Solar panels still capture diffuse sunlight, but production can drop by 10–75%, depending on cloud cover.
Q7: How long do solar panels last?
A: Typically, 25–30 years, though they degrade slowly and may continue producing at lower efficiency after that.
Q8: Are solar panels recyclable?
A: Yes. Most components—glass, aluminum frames, metals—can be recycled, and recycling technologies are improving.
Q9: Do solar panels require maintenance?
A: Very little. Mostly cleaning (dust, pollen, snow) and occasional inspections. Inverters may need replacement after 10–15 years.
Q10: What is net metering?
A: A policy that allows homeowners with solar panels to send excess electricity back to the grid and earn bill credits.
Q11: What’s the difference between PV and solar thermal?
A:
- PV (photovoltaic): Converts sunlight to electricity.
- Solar thermal: Uses sunlight to heat water or air.
Q12: Can solar energy power an entire home?
A: Yes. With sufficient panels and optional battery storage, a home can run entirely on solar power—even off-grid.
Q13: How does battery storage work with solar?
A: Batteries store excess energy produced during the day so it can be used at night or during outages. Common battery type: lithium-ion.
Q14: Is solar cost-effective?
A: Over time, yes. Although upfront costs are high, long-term savings on electricity often pay off, especially with incentives or subsidies.
Q15: Can solar energy help reduce climate change?
A: Yes. Solar produces electricity without burning fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering our carbon footprint.
