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First solar, then an EV – how will they electrify next?

Sally, a Tesla owner, in Landenburg, PA

First solar, then an EV – how will they electrify next?

Meet Sally of Landenberg, PA. Sally and her husband are environmentally conscious and are committed to clean energy. In 2021, they made the switch and purchased their first electric vehicle (EV).

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In October of 2020, my husband and I moved into a newer house with perfect southwest sun exposure for solar panels. We had a goal of moving to clean energy, so investing in solar panels was a no-brainer.  I would recommend that people purchase their own solar panels rather than leasing them. Find a reputable solar energy contractor and check their references. Throughout the pandemic, when we were all going stir-crazy and not able to travel, we decided to save money and focus on another goal: saving for a downpayment on an EV. In September of 2021 we purchased our EV.  With a sticker price under $60,000, this investment was less than a lot of fancy trucks, SUVs, and luxury cars on the market.  

To combat any concerns with charging, we chose the Tesla as it has the best network of charging stations and has been in the EV market the longest.  We chose the long-range model and have driven to Maine, New England, and locations in the south, like Virginia. There is a learning curve to driving an EV, and you have to do some monitoring and planning regarding charging, but I have been very happy with the Tesla charging network on the US East Coast. 

We live in a perfect time of incentives for EV investments, where there are state and federal tax incentives and rebates for EV purchases.

For anyone looking to purchase an EV, I think long-range models are the way to go, especially if you have any doubts about charging. You should really do your homework and take your time picking the right EV for you. We live in a perfect time of incentives for EV investments, where there are state and federal tax incentives and rebates for EV purchases. Some of this is limited to the type and brand of EV – based on how many the manufacturer has sold that year, and your income level, so do this homework first. 

My husband and I are proud to be EV owners. We hired an electrician to install a TESLA Level 2 charger at our home.  We also needed to replace our home’s HVAC system and chose a high-efficiency electric heat pump, and our energy costs are now half of what they were in our previous home.  The solar panels, Tesla Model Y, and new heat pump were all intentional investments making our goal of being more environmentally responsible a reality, and that’s really fun.

The next goal for us is to buy an electric clothes dryer and an induction/electric oven/range.  We hope our example gives others the confidence to make the switch to electric and clean energy if and where possible in their lives.

The next goal for us is to buy an electric clothes dryer and an induction/electric oven/range.  We hope our example gives others the confidence to make the switch to electric and clean energy if and where possible in their lives.  We hope this is the legacy we leave for our children and future generations.  As the timeless saying goes: “we don’t inherit the Earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.”