SunPower announced it is teaming up with Wallbox to make the switch to an electric lifestyle more convenient, affordable and sustainable. Through the strategic alliance, new SunPower customers can opt to install a Wallbox home EV charger at the same time as their solar and/or storage system installation. SunPower will also act as a preferred solar and storage provider and EV charger installation provider for Wallbox customers.
With strong consumer overlap — nearly 40% of EV drivers also have solar — SunPower and Wallbox will help meet growing demand for these products by integrating EV infrastructure into solar equipped homes.
“SunPower is committed to simplifying solar and storage; extending that to electric vehicle adoption is a natural next step,” said Peter Faricy, SunPower CEO. “As customer needs continue to evolve and expand, SunPower will develop and deliver the energy services needed to help meet them.”
For SunPower customers interested in installing a Wallbox charger, SunPower will assess the user’s home and electrical system to ensure it is compatible with home EV charging. Wallbox’s Pulsar Plus chargers come with a standard J1772 EV plug, an app allowing scheduled charging, and power sharing for two or more chargers with adjustable current output, making them a fit for all EV models.
As a preferred installer for Wallbox, SunPower expects to provide EV charging station installation services for Wallbox customers in regions where SunPower has installers and plans to expand its installation capacity in North America. EV charging customers without solar will also have the opportunity to add solar or storage to their homes through SunPower.
SunPower and Wallbox are currently exploring options for developing products and experiences to further integrate solar power with EV. Current discussions include backup power solutions and incorporating Wallbox’s pioneer bi-directional charging technology into SunPower systems.
“Making charging at home easier and less expensive has always been core to Wallbox’s vision. Our alliance with SunPower will further enable us to achieve this goal and support rising EV adoption,” said Enric Asunción, Wallbox CEO and co-founder. “Combining EV charging with solar power is the natural next progression for our two industries and will make EV’s even more sustainable, not only benefiting our consumers but the planet.”
SunPower plans to begin installing EV chargers for new customers in Southern California this fall; the company expects to expand its offering to additional regions and states throughout 2021.
News item from Sunpower
“For SunPower customers interested in installing a Wallbox charger, SunPower will assess the user’s home and electrical system to ensure it is compatible with home EV charging. Wallbox’s Pulsar Plus chargers come with a standard J1772 EV plug, an app allowing scheduled charging, and power sharing for two or more chargers with adjustable current output, making them a fit for all EV models.”
One must be careful of these chargers. There is a particular standard J1772 OpenEVSE that has been known for ‘cowboys’ to cobble together from open source documentation and programming made available to the public to make charging connections that are not UL listed, look for the label. I would hope Sun Power would be the guardian of a tested listed device attached to your C.B. panel at home.