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Running on Sunshine:
Powering Electric Cars with Solar
| | | | Filling up your tank before a road trip takes on a whole new meaning as the new breed of electric cars roll out this year. Imagine plugging in your vehicle at night and having it charge your car full of sunshine to transport you to work each day.
It sounds like a chapter from a Harry Potter book, but there is no magic here. Cars, like homes, can be powered with solar for an endless supply of energy at a minimal to zero cost. AND you will be driving without polluting the environment.
 | How do I charge my electric car?
| There are a variety of charging options. If you've got time on your side you can merely plug in your car to your electrical socket. But for home charging, it is recommended that you install a home charging dock on a dedicated 220/240V, 40A circuit. This will speed up charging time to a few hours. A third option is to travel to a public charging station for a quick-charge, which will be available in increasing supply with growing demand.
The cleaner the power used to charge, the cleaner your car. Your house and your vehicle are the two biggest contributors to global warming. Powering with solar produces clean, renewable energy to reduce your carbon footprint and avoid escalating electric rates.
| How much power will I use to charge my electric vehicle?
| For example, if you drive 40 miles per day, the Chevy Volt would use .3125kW per mile, or 4,562.5kW per year. That energy use would require a 3kW solar energy system. The Nissan Leaf uses .24kW per mile or 3,504kW per year, requiring a 2.5kW solar system. The Tesla Roadster uses .177kW per mile or 2,591kW per year, which would equal the use of a 1.8kW solar power system.
| OR, you can DRIVE FOR FREE using time-of-use rates to your advantage with an even smaller solar system.
| With time-of-use metering, your electric rates are determined by the time of day that electricity is consumed. Electricity used during peak hours, on summer weekday afternoons, costs significantly more than usage at night or in the mornings. If you are running your meter backwards during peak hours, your account is credited at that high rate. Since solar is producing at its peak on summer afternoons, with a properly-sized solar system you can sell high and buy low by producing energy in the afternoons and using cheaper energy to charge your car at night.
Let's use time-of-use metering with the Nissan Leaf usage of 3,504kW per year. By charging at night so that 100% of your usage is in off-peak hours, you can zero out your bill with a 1.35kW system instead of a 2.5kW system.
| Charging ahead!!
| With long-life batteries and driving range increases, electric vehicles have come-of-age and it makes sense on many levels both financially and environmentally. Solar charging your car is a no-brainer. It's green and it saves money and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
Electric cars don't need gas and the power is free after set-up costs. Solar systems can pay for themselves in as little as five years and you can power your car for life. Good-bye paying high fees at the gas pump. Just plug in your car and go!!
For more information on time-of-use metering, read "What is Time-of-Use Metering and How Does it Affect My Electric Bill?", or contact Solar Technologies. A design consultant will advise you on whether a time-of-use rate schedule is right for you.
| |  | | | | Get a free analysis of your home or business to see what type of system will work for your needs.
| | | |  | | | | The California Solar Initiative rebates are on a declining schedule so the sooner you install a system, the more you save!
| | | | Call us at (831) 421-0440 or (408) 99-SOLAR
| | | | You will find out if your home is a good candidate for a solar power system and if it is, you'll get an analysis that will show your rate of return if you invest in a solar power system.
I would like a Free Solar Power Analysis.
| | | | Solar Technologies
619 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Tel: 831-421-0440 SolarTechnologies.com
License: C46/886102
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Read our previous newsletters:
-How Much Will a Solar Power System Save You?"
-How Does Solar Energy Work to Power Your Home?
-What Type of Solar Power System Will Work for Your Home?
-Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing a Solar Power System
-Do Solar Powered Homes Sell Faster in a Slow Market?
-What is Time-of-Use Metering and How Does it Affect My Electric Bill?
| | | | | | | | Solar Technologies has been installing solar power systems since 1998 in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey counties. Our team has been providing solar solutions for 33 years. Our innovation means you get better technology at less expense.
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| | | | | | | | Your Leading LOCAL Solar Company.
| | | Top 1% in the State | | | |
Solar Technologies Installed More Solar
Than 99% of Other Solar Companies
| | | | | | | | The Most Comprehensive Selection of
FINANCING OPTIONS!
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•$0 down Solar Leases
•Fixed Rate Solar Loans
•Variable Rate Home Loans
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| | | | (831) 421-0440
(408) 99-SOLAR
| | | | | | | | "3 things that distinguish Solar Technologies:
1. Representation of SunPower, the most efficient solar panels.
2.
Exceptional solar consultant staff.
3. Competent and reliable installation team.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Solar Technologies to anyone considering a solar installation." | | | | –John Aird
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