The call usually starts as an EV charger. The 100-amp panel is original to a 1960s–80s Fairfax or Arlington house. Then the homeowner asks if solar is still possible next year. Those three loads have to be in one calculation, not three contractor visits.
Key Takeaways
- We run a load calculation before promising a charger on 100-amp service.
- Options can include a lower EVSE setting, listed load management, or a 200-amp upgrade at $3,500–$7,500.
- Solar-ready means reserved backfeed space after the charger lands — not modules on the roof.
What we check first
Existing demand, main size, bus rating, breaker space, the configured charger output, and whether a future backfeed still fits. A lower charge rate can keep a small service legal. It does not invent busbar capacity for generation.
Ready to Install a Home EV Charger?
Our licensed electricians have installed hundreds of EV chargers across Northern Virginia. We handle everything from panel evaluation to permit filing. Call (571) 444-6886 or request your free estimate online.
When the 200-amp upgrade is the honest answer
If the charger, the HVAC, and a reserved solar backfeed will not share the existing service, we quote the panel as its own scope and the EV circuit as a second line. That is cheaper than replacing the panel twice.
See panel upgrades and Level 2 EV charging.
