Up to $2,000 in incentives available this month

Save up to $2,000
on your home setup

This includes federal tax credits, local rebates, and utility incentives - combined into one clear estimate for your home. We show what applies, what doesn’t, and what it actually means for your monthly cost.

Typical incentives: $1,500–$2,000

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Includes

Federal tax credit

Local utility rebates

Net metering benefits

Up to $2,000 in incentives available this month

Save up to $2,000
on your home setup

Typical incentives: $1,500–$2,000

Check my incentives

Get template

Includes

Federal tax credit

Local utility rebates

Net metering benefits

Book Consultation

Townhouse

See how the Chens reduced their charging costs by 73%

City

Sydney, NSW

Year

2026

Setup Option

Solar + EV Charging

Monthly savings

73%

David and Amy Chen contacted Helios shortly after purchasing their second electric vehicle. Their townhouse in Portland had a basic Level 1 charger, but the increased demand from two EVs was creating noticeable spikes in their electricity bills. They needed a smarter way to charge without relying entirely on expensive grid power. The conversation with Helios quickly revealed that a combined solar and EV charging solution could address both their charging needs and their broader household energy costs. What started as a charger upgrade became a complete rethink of how the home consumed power.

The property was a three-story townhouse in a residential development in northeast Portland. The home had a compact footprint with a south-facing roof section that received good sun exposure for most of the year, despite Portland's reputation for overcast skies.

The Chens' energy profile had changed dramatically after adding the second EV. Charging two vehicles overnight on grid power added an estimated $195 per month to their electricity bill. Combined with normal household consumption, their monthly costs had climbed to over $380 — nearly double what they paid two years earlier.

The townhouse HOA had recently adopted EV-friendly policies, including approval for dedicated charging circuits and rooftop solar installations. This opened the door for a solution that would not have been possible even a year earlier.

Garage space was limited to a single-car bay with tandem parking, so the charging infrastructure needed to be compact and capable of managing two vehicles on a shared circuit.

"We bought electric cars to save money and help the environment. Then our electricity bill doubled. Something had to change." - Amy Chen

Core Problem

The Chens had made a commitment to electric transportation but quickly discovered that the energy costs of home charging were undermining the financial benefits. Public charging stations were more expensive and less convenient, so home charging was the only practical option for daily use.

The core issue was timing. Both vehicles were typically plugged in after 6 PM when electricity rates in Portland were at their highest. The combination of peak-rate pricing and high-draw charging created the worst possible cost scenario.

Beyond cost, the Chens were increasingly aware of the environmental gap in their approach. Charging electric vehicles with grid power sourced partly from natural gas did not align with their original motivation for going electric.

Their goals were:

Reduce home charging costs by at least 50%
Power EV charging primarily with solar energy
Manage two-vehicle charging on a single circuit without compromising speed
Lower the household's overall carbon footprint
Maintain a clean, compact installation within HOA guidelines

Suburban family home designed for energy-efficient living

This is image caption.

System Design

Helios designed an integrated solar and EV charging system that addressed both the cost and timing challenges of the Chens' situation. The solar array was sized to offset the full daily charging needs of both vehicles plus a significant portion of household consumption.

A smart EV charging station was installed with dual-output capability and load balancing. The system could prioritize one vehicle over the other based on scheduling, distribute power evenly between both, or charge sequentially based on battery status and departure times.

The charging system was integrated directly with the solar inverter so that EV charging would automatically prioritize solar power when available. During peak production hours, the system directed excess solar energy to whichever vehicle was plugged in, reducing the amount of expensive grid power used for evening charging.

Time-of-use optimization was a key design feature. The system monitored Portland's rate schedule and automatically shifted non-solar charging to off-peak hours, typically between midnight and 5 AM, when grid rates were lowest.

The design focused on three priorities:

Solar-first charging during daylight hours
Intelligent scheduling to avoid peak-rate grid charging
Compact, HOA-compliant installation with minimal visual impact

Installation & Results

Installation was completed in two days. The first day covered the rooftop solar array and inverter. The second day focused on the EV charging station, electrical panel upgrades, and monitoring system integration.

All HOA approvals and utility permits were handled by Helios in advance. The system was fully operational within one week.

The impact on the Chens' monthly costs was immediate. EV charging costs dropped from $195 to $53 per month - a 73% reduction. Overall household electricity costs fell from $380 to $198, including both charging and general consumption.

During spring and summer months, solar production exceeded combined charging and household needs on most days. Excess energy was exported to the grid, generating credits that further offset winter months when solar production was lower.

The smart charging dashboard gave the Chens complete visibility into which power source was charging each vehicle, how much solar versus grid energy was used each day, and projected monthly costs based on current patterns.

Within the first year, the system offset approximately 4.2 tons of CO₂ - equivalent to the annual emissions of roughly one gasoline vehicle.

Long-term Performance

The system has operated through a full annual cycle, with summer months significantly overproducing and winter months requiring moderate grid supplementation. The annual net cost of EV charging is now approximately $640, compared to the previous $2,340 - a 73% annual reduction.

The Chens have reported that the intelligent scheduling feature alone saves measurable money each month by avoiding peak-rate charging. The system continues to learn from their driving patterns and adjusts charging schedules automatically.

Helios monitors the system remotely and provides seasonal performance reports. The Chens are considering adding a small battery unit to capture excess daytime solar for evening household use, which would further reduce their grid dependence during non-charging hours.

For Helios, this project highlights the growing intersection of residential solar and electric vehicle adoption. As more households add EVs, the demand for smart, integrated charging solutions will only increase.

We built Helios
for businesses like yours

Built to get more leads and look credible from day one. You can take it, adapt it, and launch without wasting months figuring it out.

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We built Helios
for businesses like yours

Built to get more leads and look credible from day one. You can take it, adapt it, and launch without wasting months figuring it out.

Get template

Learn about 108™