EV CHARGER

Depends on what kind of charger you purchase, the cost of installation is roughly:

If you have sufficient power at home, a rough estimate is between $600 ~ $ 1200 for attached garages, $1000 ~ $ 3000 for detached garages.

If you don’t have sufficient power at home, you might need load balance equipment such as DCC-10, Load Miser or Interlocks. The cost of these vary from $500 ~ $1500

It is really hard to say as onsite assessment is required to see if the building has enough power. If there is sufficient power, then the distance between the electrical room and desired installation parking stall needs to be measured for cost estimates. 

Cost ranges from $2000 ~ $5000, could be more if the parking stall is really far from the electrical room.

Different chargers on the market have different capabilities. Currently available on the market ranges from 20 AMP ~ 80 AMP. Some higher-end chargers allow you to adjust the AMP you want when you install.

Electric vehicle charging equipment is commonly categorized into one of three types described below:

Level 1 Charging

A Level 1 equipment normally comes with electric vehicle purchase and provides charging through a 120 volt (V), alternating-current (AC) plug, also known as standard household outlet.  Depending on the battery size and technology used in the vehicle, Level 1 charging generally takes 17 to 25 hours to completely charge a fully depleted battery. Another way to calculate range can be seen as Level 1 charging adds about 4 miles (6.4KM) of range per hour.

Level 2 Charging

Level 2 equipment normally does not come with an electric vehicle purchase, offers charging through a 240V, AC plug and requires installation of a charging equipment. These units require a dedicated 40 AMP or more circuit. Level 2 charging equipment is compatible with all electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. Level 2 chargers have a cord that plugs directly into the vehicle in the same connector location used for Level 1 equipment.

Depending on the battery size and technology used in the vehicle, Level 2 charging generally takes 5 to 8 hours to completely charge a fully depleted battery. Another way to calculate range can be seen as Level 2 charging adds about 25 miles (40 KM) of range per hour. Level 2 chargers are commonly found in residential settings, public parking areas, places of employment and commercial settings.

Level 3 Charging

Level 3 equipment, also commonly known as DC fast charging, charges through a 480V, direct-current (DC) plug. Most Level 3 chargers provide an 80% charge in 30 minutes.  This type of Level 3 equipment is not compatible with all vehicles, and level 3 equipment is currently not allowed for residential installation.

Note: Cold weather can lengthen the time required to charge.

Installation for townhouses and condos is more complicated. Electrical services are often shared, for example 600 amp for 9 units, even though each unit electrical panel might say it has 100 or 125 amps, it is not actually supplying dedicated 100 or 125 amp. The reason that there is no power shortage is because not all units are running ALL electrical equipment at the same time.

This means, in the future when all 9 units purchased EV and installed level 20 – 40 AMP chargers. At night time, all 9 EVs are charging, this will take up 360 amp, leaving 240 amp to service the 9 units for normal household usage, for example: heating, cooking, laundry, etc. It is obvious in that case, the main breaker switch will trip and all 9 units will go dark.

To avoid such situations, there are basically 3 common solutions:

  1. Ask BC Hydro to increase service amps for the complex so every unit has more electrical service amps for EV charger installations. But this is costly; none EV owners will probably not like it.
  2. Require each unit to install load-balance equipment OR Interlock equipment together with an EV charger. What it does is to balance power usage within its unit, specifically adjust the EV charger power consumption to avoid pulling too much from central electrical service and keep within its assigned range per unit. (Load balance equipment adjusts power automatically, interlock equipment needs the user to adjust power manually)
  3. Control and allow a certain number of EV that can be installed, if demand becomes high then implement 1 or 2 stated above.

Solar System

In theory, yes, you can do it by yourself if you are not thinking about obtaining net metering. If you want to sell your solar generations back to BC hydro then you will need to have your system installed properly. Properly here we mean apply and obtain all permits before installation starts and pass all inspections upon completion in order to connect to BC hydro.

Most cities in Canada will require you to have a building permit in place before you start the installation; therefore, it is recommended that you check with your local city hall before installation if you are DIY your own system

We provide 3 years of remote monitoring to ensure power generation up to expectation. In addition, we provide 3 years of periodic maintenance service to make sure system functionality checks up.  Not only that, we will generate a monthly power report to keep you updated.

Just like your sun roof or window, solar panels need to be cleaned periodically to ensure optimized performance. Even though solar panel surfaces are specially treated to avoid dusk and other air particles from sticking on, it is still advised to be maintained periodically.

In our warranty agreement, we will provide 3 years of periodic maintenance service to make sure system functionality checks up. This includes two times a year of system cleaning. We do not advise you to clean it yourself without proper training. The reasons are: First, the system is connected to the grid and you will be risking yourself to electrical shock if you tamper with the active connections; Second, the system is on the rooftop you will be risking yourself from falling; Third, solar panels surfaces are specially treated, therefore, using improper cleaning solution might damage the surface coating on the panels.

When solar panels are completed covered by snow, no power will be generated.  However, when portion of the panel are not covered by snow, the panel will start generating power.

Once it started, the panel gradually warms up and will eventually melt the snow covering other parts.  There is another solution for areas with super heavy snowfall, that is to install bi-facial module.  Bi-facial module can generate power from both sides.  This means when one side is covered in snow the other side facing down can absorb sun-light reflecting from the ground to generate power, and eventually, the entire panel warms up and melt snow covering.

Solar Equipment

We provide 15 years of combined experience of product warranty and 25 years linear power output warranty.