Guidance
EV Charging Guidance for Santa Clara Homes and Properties
Panel capacity, permits, rebate routes and choosing between a receptacle and a hardwired unit, explained without the sales pitch.
Why this page exists
Written by the People Who Do the Installs
Most of what people need to know before buying a charger is not complicated, it is just rarely explained by anyone without something to sell. This is where we write it down: how to tell whether your service panel has room, what the City of Santa Clara actually requires, how the Silicon Valley Power rebate route differs from the PG&E one your neighbours in Sunnyvale use, and when paying for a hardwired install is worth it over a receptacle. Articles are written by the people who do the installs, and they are specific to this city rather than borrowed from a national template.
Articles are on the way. In the meantime, the fastest answer to any charging question is a phone call.
Would Rather Just Ask Somebody?
Reading about load calculations is a poor substitute for having someone open your panel and tell you what is in there. The assessment is free, takes under an hour, and ends with a written number.
Licensed C-10 · EVITP-certified · Permit and inspection included in every quoted price.