Introduction!

[Gonewild]

I just got a 5.16 Sunpower PV solar system installed. They replace my old service box a 125amp with a 200amp. They did not have to change the feed wires from the street to the box not sure why you would need it change. How old is your house mind is built in 1984. I sure hope I get the free charger. I drive about 70 miles a day to work and back and I live in AZ so with the heat and driving. They should be able to learn something about how I keep it charged up.

[evnow]

I just got a 5.16 Sunpower PV solar system installed. They replace my old service box a 125amp with a 200amp. They did not have to change the feed wires from the street to the box not sure why you would need it change. How old is your house mind is built in 1984. I sure hope I get the free charger. I drive about 70 miles a day to work and back and I live in AZ so with the heat and driving. They should be able to learn something about how I keep it charged up.

After all the rebates, how much does it cost ?

[Gonewild]

The system was $29,000 with a monitor. They throw in the 200amp panel for free to get me to brake a contract I had with a different company and go with them. They normally charge $2,300 for the 200 amp service panel. I got the Sunpower system this cheap because it was in Dec 09 and the world was coming to an end we thought. All solar company's where panicky to get a sale.

29,000
-13,500 power company rebate.
=15,500 cost

plus 30% of the cost from fed's
and $1,000 from state.

[sjfotos]

Thank you Gonewild, it had been a long time since I looked into this, I may start up again.

[garygid]

Perhaps the pre-1980 codes allowed direct-buried feed cables, and allowed smaller cables for a 150-amp feed.

Here, if changing to a 200-amp feed, SDG&E makes you replace the feed (larger wires, in conduit).

[Gonewild]

Well I have direct-buried cable but code in AZ are looser then other states. The new box had to put a new larger riser.

[LEAFfan]

I just got a 5.16 Sunpower PV solar system installed. They replace my old service box a 125amp with a 200amp. They did not have to change the feed wires from the street to the box not sure why you would need it change. How old is your house mind is built in 1984. I sure hope I get the free charger. I drive about 70 miles a day to work and back and I live in AZ so with the heat and driving. They should be able to learn something about how I keep it charged up.

I'm also in AZ, and we already have 200A service, so I'm hoping to qualify for the free charging station. We're also planning on getting a 6.5Kwh (was told we needed this size to charge the car) system before this December.

[garygid]

"needed" the 30-amp "charge" (which would require a 40-amp dual breaker) 240v EVSE?

Very interesting!

[planet4ever]

"needed" the 30-amp (40-amp dual breaker) 240v EVSE?

Very interesting!

Level 2 high (the "four hour charge") is 6.6kW. 6600/240 = 27.5A. So 30-amp would be cutting it awfully close.

By the way, I'm sure garygid knows this, but some others may not. EVSE is the proper name for the gadget mounted on the wall that is hardwired to a 240V circuit. It's not a charger, just a way to get the juice to the car and make a number of safety checks. The charger is inside the Leaf. I expect that all the EVSEs will support 6.6kW, though if so there will surely be a jumper or switch or setting for the electrician to indicate whether it is connected to a 40A circuit.

What you probably won't have, though, is a 6.6kW charger in your 2011 Leaf, so the best you can do (short of finding one of those $40,000 external fast chargers) is an eight hour full charge. Or wait for 2012.

[EVDRIVER]

"needed" the 30-amp (40-amp dual breaker) 240v EVSE?

Very interesting!

Level 2 high (the "four hour charge") is 6.6kW. 6600/240 = 27.5A. So 30-amp would be cutting it awfully close.

By the way, I'm sure garygid knows this, but some others may not. EVSE is the proper name for the gadget mounted on the wall that is hardwired to a 240V circuit. It's not a charger, just a way to get the juice to the car and make a number of safety checks. The charger is inside the Leaf. I expect that all the EVSEs will support 6.6kW, though if so there will surely be a jumper or switch or setting for the electrician to indicate whether it is connected to a 40A circuit.

What you probably won't have, though, is a 6.6kW charger in your 2011 Leaf, so the best you can do (short of finding one of those $40,000 external fast chargers) is an eight hour full charge. Or wait for 2012.

You can buy a 12kw charger that you can take along for $3300 if you are qualified enough to make the proper connections to the DC port.