PlugShare, the maker of a popular charging station locator app and purveyor of public charging data, is betting that homeowners who go solar would also like to drive electric, and vice versa.

Under PlugShare’s Drive Solar program, purchasers of a home solar system from Sungevity can receive a free GE WattStation home charging station, including installation (the offer is available to residents of select Sungevity service areas in California).

According to PlugShare, installing a home charging station can cost an EV driver upwards of $2,100, once the costs of installation, permitting and a potential service panel upgrade are included. Combining the electrical work for the charging station and the solar system can be more efficient than doing both as separate projects.

“Our Drive Solar program is a natural fit for two companies that take pride in making their customers’ lives easier,” said Kelly Griswold, Sungevity’s VP of Business Development. “We know from recent studies that EV ownership can be a stepping stone to adopting home solar. Offering a complimentary charging station plus the installation of that station with a solar system agreement is a very attractive package that saves the customer both time and money.”

According to PlugInsights, PlugShare’s consumer research division, about 12% of EV buyers in 2015 had rooftop solar, while the overall proportion of households with solar power is below 1%. This suggests that the fast-growing EV market presents a great opportunity for residential solar installers.

Source: PlugShare