As electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates, with nearly 300,000 units sold in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the need for robust charging infrastructure has intensified. While the expansion of charging options continues to address gaps in availability, a new challenge arises: the potential for new charging hubs to strain local energy grids and increase costs during peak hours.
In this exclusive interview with The EV Report, Sage McLaughlin, Business Development Manager at REC Solar, details how pairing on-site solar with battery storage offers a strategic solution. This approach allows charging hubs to generate their own clean energy, reduce reliance on the grid, and control costs, ensuring the growth of EV infrastructure remains sustainable and economically viable.
Why should charging hubs use on-site solar & storage?
As EV adoption increases, with nearly 300,000 sold in Q1 2025 alone, charging demand grows. While charging deserts have mostly disappeared, there is still a need for more EV charging options to open more lanes to adoption. Simply building more hubs comes with the risk of overwhelming local energy grids and driving up demand charges during peak charging hours. Pairing solar with battery storage enables EV charging hubs to generate clean power and draw from storage during peak periods, helping slash energy costs and contain any spikes, all while reducing emissions.
How does this help control costs?
Utilities place higher charges for peak power consumption, which makes charging during these hours expensive. On-site solar reduces daytime draw from the grid, while storage handles the peaks. The organizations we work with use power purchase agreements (PPAs) to finance these systems. A PPA is a long-term contract between a clean energy provider and a buyer, whether it’s a company or municipality. We handle everything from design and installation to long-term maintenance, so customers benefit from predictable energy costs, decreased emissions and long-term savings, without the operational burden.
Can you discuss any real-world examples that show this works?
Our project with Anaheim Transportation Network is a great example. We designed and installed a 514 kW solar canopy that now powers ATN’s fleet of 46 electric buses, supplying 25% of the site’s energy needs. It’s integrated with battery storage and built under a 20-year PPA. The system generates enough energy to drive 1.2 million electric bus miles yearly and save $4.8 million in fuel costs over two decades compared to LNG or CNG. It’s a strong case for how solar + storage can deliver clean, cost-effective power at scale.
What should organizations consider when planning a solar+storage EV hub?
Start early with a clear understanding of your current needs and long-term goals. Sometimes, solar arrays are built for current demand without accounting for future growth, but a good partner will help you think through that upfront. Our project with ATN had immediate building needs and plans to expand their fleet, and we had to account for both. The goal is to future-proof your investment so you’re not playing catch-up if demand increases.
Why is REC Solar uniquely suited to support EV hub electrification?
REC Solar has been in this industry for over 25 years and has seen the market evolve while consistently delivering results. We can make connections to partners in the EV space and work together to get a charging hub up quickly. What sets REC Solar apart is its deep experience and its ability to handle the entire lifecycle and be a partner for the long haul. We can leverage PPAs for not only solar + storage, but also EV infrastructure and charging financing. REC Solar takes the burden of becoming a solar expert overnight off organizations by financing, owning and maintaining the system.
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