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How Solar + Storage Is Slashing EV Charging Costs
Highlights from Tom McCalmont’s Interview on the Grid Connections Podcast
Paired Power CEO Tom McCalmont joined Chase Drum on the Grid Connections podcast to talk about one of the most pressing issues in clean transportation: how to scale EV charging despite limited grid capacity. The episode, titled “Cutting EV Charging Costs by 80% with Solar + Storage,” offered a deep dive into microgrid design, intelligent load management, and the future of energy resilience.
???? Grid Capacity Is Maxed Out. Microgrids Offer a Way Forward.
Tom laid out a growing challenge for fleets and employers: as they add more EVs, they often hit a wall with their existing grid infrastructure. Expanding grid capacity can take years—but solar + storage microgrids can work with the grid you already have.
“You run out of grid. We help customers get more capacity out of what they already have.”
Whether it’s for fleet depots, campuses, or workplace charging, Paired Power’s solutions reduce dependency on long utility upgrade timelines.
???? Pairiscope: The Design Tool That Proves the ROI
“I saved a third of a million dollars in energy costs. This is the power of combining solar and storage with EV charging.”
Tom shared a live demo of Pairiscope, Paired Power’s in-house design and monitoring platform. It models energy flow, charger performance, and system costs in real time. The results are dramatic:
- Annual charging costs without solar or smart charging: $400,000
- With intelligent charging: $117,000
- Add solar? Costs drop to $62,000
- Total savings with solar + smart charging: $283,000 annually
“Solar + storage doesn’t just work—it slashes charging costs by over 80%.”
???? How Intelligent Charging Saves Thousands
With load spikes driving up demand charges, smart charging is essential. Pairiscope allows sites to:
- Stagger charging schedules
- Prioritize certain vehicles
- Switch between shared power or scheduled charging modes
“We’re not just powering EVs—we’re managing the flow of electrons hour by hour.”
???? The Role of Batteries in Reliable Charging
Battery storage is optional—but often essential. As Tom explains, batteries make it possible to:
- Avoid grid usage during peak pricing
- Charge vehicles overnight
- Operate even during grid outages
“You don’t want to use grid power when it’s expensive. The battery bridges the gap.”
???? PairFleet and PairTree: Flexible, Scalable Solutions
Paired Power’s solutions fit a variety of needs:
- PairFleet is the scalable microgrid solution for fleets and workplace charging, handling 6 to hundreds of EVs.
- PairTree is a pop-up solar canopy ideal for 1–4 chargers at parks, beaches, or locations without existing grid access.
“We can pop one up in a day and be delivering clean power by night.”
???? Built-in Reliability and Customer Support
Tom emphasized the importance of always-on data, remote diagnostics, and responsive support:
- Real-time performance dashboards
- Instant alerts and issue resolution
- 5-star support ratings from users
“You want it to work when you plug it in. We make sure it does.”
???? V2G and Emergency Mode Included
Paired Power supports vehicle-to-grid and emergency energy modes, allowing chargers and EVs to support buildings or critical infrastructure in a power outage.
???? The Bigger Picture: Why EVs Are Here to Stay
Tom pushed back on doomsday narratives about the EV market:
“People don’t go back once they drive an EV. They’re cleaner, faster, and cheaper to own.”
He shared his own story: after buying a Nissan Leaf in 2011, he spent just $120 on maintenance in five years. Now, he’s on his sixth EV.
???? Share-Worthy Quotes
- “I saved a third of a million dollars in energy costs. This is the power of combining solar and storage with EV charging.”
- “We don’t eliminate the grid. We just make it smarter.”
- “Pairiscope saved $283,000 in one simulation—before we even added solar.”
- “The future of EV charging isn’t at the grid’s mercy.”
- “We make sure drivers can plug in and power up—every time.”
???? Listen to the Full Episode
Tune in to the full Grid Connections interview here, and explore solar microgrid solutions at pairedpower.com.