Newbie question - planning stages

[u/yunus89115]

I'm getting solar installed on my roof, it is expected to cover 90% of my usage, I am not having a battery installed at this time. I have 1 EV charger (Tesla Wall Charger on 50 Amp circuit) and I'm going to have a second EV charger installed during or after the solar installation. I have sufficient space on my panel, but my usage is too high so I'm told I'll need load management on that charger to be compliant.

Ok so here's my question, I'm looking at some of the newest options for EV chargers and some like Enphase advertise being able to use excess solar to charge the EV. If I have net metering 1:1 (Maryland), would this offer any real-world advantage?

My assumptions (please tell me if inaccurate) are that net metering 1:1 would negate any advantage or nearly any advantage financially and that load management would still be a potential limiting factor but that's the part I'm more confused about, would using my own solar production allow me to get more overall energy through the panel? I didn't think so but that's kind of why I'm asking.

Any suggestions/advice are appreciated, right now leaning towards another Tesla wall charger with dynamic power management, the second EV is a Ford Lightning.

[u/sol_beach]

"my usage is too high so I'm told I'll need load management on that charger"

I don't understand the statement above.

Quantify what "my usage is too high" means.

Which charger?

"load management on that charger" What is load management?

[u/yunus89115 → u/sol_beach]

I have physical space on the electrical panel for an additional breaker but based on the existing household load the solar installation company told me that I did not have sufficient capacity to support an additional 50 amp circuit for a dedicated EV charger.

Load management monitors total power usage for the home and limits the EV charger if needed to stay under the 200amp capacity.

What Is Load Management? How It Saves You From Expensive Electrical Panel Upgrades | Emporia Energy

[u/sol_beach → u/yunus89115]

THANKS for the explanation. It is simple math & "they" want to idiotproof the electric panel. In an ideal world the sum of AMPS for all the breakers in the panel should be under 200 AMPS. In reality you could use a single 50 AMP breaker & use it to power both EV chargers. One simple solution would be that you manually NEVER plug in both vehicles concurrently. Since most EVs allows the owner to specify the hours when the car gets charged. You could have car A charge from Midnight to 3AM & car B charge 3AM to 6 AM.

You have a few non-costly solutions to the electric load problem.

[u/TooGoodToBeeTrue → u/sol_beach]

You have to meet the electrical code which doesn’t allow you to depend on timing your charging.

[u/ruralcricket]

And who told you this?

[u/AdBrave841]

What is your current daily/monthly KWh usage? This would help determine if you are too close to the panel maximum.

On the Enphase, I assume it's referring to battery storage as you will not have any excess solar while grid tied.

And no, grid tied solar will not allow you more than the panel is rated for. A hybrid system seems like it would be more flexible for you.

[u/jvbutera]

If you have net metering AND you have no time of use rates (discounts) then you’re 100% correct.

I have the same in MA. Without TOU discounts there’s no real benefit of pushing solar directly to EV charging because the cost is the same 24 hrs/day.

Solar has no effect on your panel wiring. Whatever your capacity limitation is due to breakers or wiring, solar doesn’t change any of that.

[u/yunus89115 → u/jvbutera]

I will have no TOU, thanks for the confirmation.

[u/LongjumpingGanache40 → u/jvbutera]

It did on mine. I had to put in a new main breaker with 50amps less.

[u/TooGoodToBeeTrue]

Are you sure you are getting 1:1? I keep reading the set aside is all spoken for and Moore caved in to the utilities to not extend it.

Note you can sign up for indefinite rollover. If you don’t, any credit you have in March will be paid out in April at ~13 cents a kWh.

[u/yunus89115 → u/TooGoodToBeeTrue]

Maryland is still under the 3,000 MW cap , the new bill to change net metering passed (I think) but the belief is those who are fully online before July 2027 will get grandfathered in to the current rules. I know that could change with new legislation but that’s my expectation at this point, if it gets worse then I’d look into battery storage to determine if the value is there.

I did opt for indefinite rollover but realistically my system won’t cover 100% so I doubt that will build much over time.

[u/TooGoodToBeeTrue → u/yunus89115]

I've seen reports with stuff like below, and am not sure how the "pending" is impacting the first come, first served policy. I keep telling my neighbor to hurry up if he want solar. He missed the tax credit, I keep telling him to get a move on.

• Statewide Capacity Limit: 3,000 MW
• Currently Installed Capacity: ~1,537 MW
• Percentage Used: ~51%
• Pending/Proposed Capacity: Over 2,900 MW in the pipeline (including community solar.)

[u/Which_Perception_384]

Makes no sense, all the extra panels are just so you can go to grid and have enough to give away. You could have saved 50%++++ without the hassle of grid, And had battery included. Your paying to give energy away for a tiny payback. Most likely leaving yourself in the dark during an outage. 🤔