Why Pair an EV Charger with Your Solar Panel System?
Driving an electric vehicle is one of the smartest ways to cut your carbon footprint and fuel costs. But if you’re charging your EV from the grid, you’re still paying utility rates for every mile you drive. When you pair a Level 2 EV charger with a home solar panel system, you can charge your car with free, clean energy from the sun — dramatically reducing or even eliminating your transportation fuel costs.
At Solar Yoda LLC, we offer professional EV charger installation alongside our solar panel systems in Maryland, Virginia, and the DC metro area. Whether you’re adding solar and an EV charger to your home at the same time, or want to add a charger to an existing solar system, we’ll help you choose the right charger and handle the full installation.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 EV Charging: What’s the Difference?
Not all EV chargers are created equal. Understanding the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 charging is critical to choosing the right setup for your home and driving habits.
Level 1 Charging (120V)
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt household outlet — the same type you plug a lamp or phone charger into. Every electric vehicle comes with a Level 1 charging cord in the trunk. While convenient because it requires no special installation, Level 1 charging is very slow:
- Charging speed: 3-5 miles of range per hour
- Power output: ~1.4 kW (12 amps at 120V)
- Full charge time: 40-60+ hours for a typical EV battery
- Best for: Plug-in hybrids with small batteries, or drivers who only commute very short distances
Level 2 Charging (240V)
Level 2 charging uses a 240-volt circuit — the same type used for a clothes dryer or oven. This is the gold standard for home EV charging and what we recommend for every solar homeowner:
- Charging speed: 25-40+ miles of range per hour
- Power output: 7.2 kW to 11.5 kW (30A to 48A at 240V)
- Full charge time: 4-10 hours for a typical EV battery (overnight charging)
- Best for: All-electric vehicles, daily commuters, and anyone who wants to charge with solar power
Level 1 vs. Level 2 Comparison
| Feature | Level 1 | Level 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 120V (standard outlet) | 240V (dedicated circuit) |
| Power Output | ~1.4 kW | 7.2 – 11.5 kW |
| Range Added Per Hour | 3-5 miles | 25-40+ miles |
| Overnight Charge (8 hrs) | 24-40 miles | 200-320+ miles |
| Installation Required | None (plug into outlet) | Yes (240V circuit + charger) |
| Best Paired with Solar | Limited benefit | Maximum solar utilization |
| Connector Type | J1772 / NEMA 5-15 | J1772 / Hardwired |
Bottom line: If you own an all-electric vehicle and want to maximize your solar investment, a Level 2 charger is the way to go. You’ll charge 5-8x faster than Level 1, and you can schedule charging during peak solar production hours to fuel your car with 100% sunshine.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 EV Charging Explained (Video)
Our EV Charger Lineup
We partner with industry-leading manufacturers to offer you the best Level 2 EV chargers on the market. Each of these chargers is available as part of a solar panel installation package through our network, and all feature smart connectivity, sleek designs, and seamless integration with home solar and battery systems.
Enphase IQ EV Charger 2
The Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 is a premium Level 2 charger from the same company that makes the world’s most popular microinverters. It integrates seamlessly with the Enphase IQ ecosystem, allowing you to monitor your solar production, home battery, and EV charging all from a single app.
- Power Output: Up to 11.5 kW (48A at 240V)
- Charging Speed: Up to 40 miles of range per hour
- Connector: J1772 (25-ft cable), compatible with all EVs (Tesla with adapter)
- Smart Features: WiFi connected, Enphase App monitoring, scheduled charging, solar self-consumption mode
- Installation: Hardwired (NEMA 3R rated for indoor/outdoor)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Certification: UL Listed, ENERGY STAR certified
Download the Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 Datasheet (PDF) | Visit Enphase Product Page
SPAN Drive
The SPAN Drive is a Level 2 EV charger designed to work hand-in-hand with the SPAN Smart Electrical Panel. If you already have or are considering a SPAN panel as part of your solar and battery installation, SPAN Drive is the ultimate complement — it enables intelligent load management and can dynamically allocate power to your EV without overloading your panel.
- Power Output: Up to 11.52 kW (48A at 240V)
- Charging Speed: Up to 40+ miles of range per hour
- Connector: J1772 (24-ft cable), compatible with all EVs
- Smart Features: SPAN App integration, dynamic power management, scheduled charging, solar-aware charging
- Installation: Hardwired, NEMA 4 rated (indoor/outdoor)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Key Advantage: Automatic circuit-level load sharing with SPAN Panel — no panel upgrade needed in many cases
Download the SPAN Drive Technical Datasheet (PDF) | Visit SPAN Product Page
SolarEdge Home EV Charger
The SolarEdge Home EV Charger is purpose-built for homes with SolarEdge solar inverters. Its standout feature is Solar Boost Mode, which uses excess solar energy to charge your EV even faster — combining grid power with solar production for maximum charging speed during sunny hours.
- Power Output: Up to 9.6 kW (40A at 240V)
- Charging Speed: Up to 34 miles of range per hour
- Connector: J1772 (25-ft cable), compatible with all EVs
- Smart Features: mySolarEdge App, Solar Boost Mode, scheduled charging, energy dashboard integration
- Installation: Hardwired, NEMA 3R rated (indoor/outdoor)
- Warranty: 5 years (up to 12 years when paired with SolarEdge inverter)
- Key Advantage: Solar Boost Mode combines grid + solar for faster charging; seamless integration with SolarEdge Home ecosystem
Download the SolarEdge EV Charger Datasheet (PDF) | Visit SolarEdge Product Page
Wallbox Pulsar Plus
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is one of the most compact and powerful Level 2 chargers available. Don’t let its small size fool you — this charger delivers up to 48 amps and features an elegant design that looks great mounted on any garage wall. It’s a great choice for homeowners who want a reliable, feature-rich charger without being tied to a specific inverter ecosystem.
- Power Output: Up to 11.5 kW (48A at 240V); also available in 40A configuration
- Charging Speed: Up to 40 miles of range per hour
- Connector: J1772 (25-ft cable), compatible with all EVs
- Smart Features: myWallbox App, WiFi + Bluetooth, scheduled charging, power sharing, energy management
- Installation: Hardwired or NEMA 14-50 plug, NEMA 4 rated (indoor/outdoor)
- Warranty: 3 years
- Key Advantage: Ultra-compact design (smallest charger in its class), works with any solar system brand
Download the Wallbox Pulsar Plus Datasheet (PDF) | Visit Wallbox Product Page
EV Charger Comparison at a Glance
| Charger | Max Power | Max Amps | Range/Hour | Smart App | Solar Integration | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enphase IQ EV Charger 2 | 11.5 kW | 48A | ~40 mi | Enphase App | Enphase ecosystem | 5 years |
| SPAN Drive | 11.52 kW | 48A | ~40 mi | SPAN App | SPAN Panel integration | 5 years |
| SolarEdge Home EV | 9.6 kW | 40A | ~34 mi | mySolarEdge | Solar Boost Mode | 5-12 years |
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus | 11.5 kW | 48A | ~40 mi | myWallbox | Universal (any brand) | 3 years |
Ready to Charge Your EV with Sunshine?
Solar Yoda LLC installs EV chargers alongside solar panel systems throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the DC metro area. Whether you’re going solar for the first time or adding an EV charger to an existing system, we’ll help you choose the right charger for your vehicle, your home, and your budget.
Contact us today for a free consultation:
- Phone: (443) 864-3072
- Email: dennis@solaryoda.com
- Website: solaryoda.com
All EV chargers listed are available through our installation partners and may vary by availability. Specifications are sourced from manufacturer documentation and are subject to change. Contact us for current pricing and availability in your area.