What really excites me is the evolution of bidirectional EV charging. It’s the next big leap—turning your car into not just a mode of transportation, but an active energy asset. With this technology, your EV can function as a battery for your home at night, and by day, it still gets you where you need to go. Of course, you’ll need to balance your commute and charging schedule carefully—but the potential is incredible.

Picture this: you’re in Florida during hurricane season. The power goes out. Instead of waiting on the grid, you plug your EV into your home, flip on the inverter, and power key household devices in real time. During the day, the solar you generate can power your home directly and even recharge your vehicle. Drive during daylight, come home, and the system cycles again—now your EV is powering your refrigerator, lights, and other essentials overnight. It’s an elegant blend of mobility and resilience.

This kind of flexibility doesn’t just make solar more practical—it redefines the value of your entire home energy ecosystem. It also points to a growing need to eventually recycle, convert, or upgrade components as the tech evolves. I say this as someone who already owns two solar arrays, two Tesla Powerwalls, a smart panel, a ChargePoint Level 2 charger, and an EV. It’s only a matter of time before parts of that system will need to adapt—and that’s exactly where the industry is headed.

This intersection—between electric vehicles, grid independence, and smarter infrastructure—is the future.

To explore this even further, I sat down with James Meringer, a clean energy expert and CEO of EVX Solar Solutions, to get his take on where things are going, what homeowners and solar companies need to prepare for, and why the EV revolution is just getting started.

Jim brings a rare mix of engineering expertise and real-world solar experience to the table. With a degree in mechanical engineering and a deep understanding of the energy ecosystem, he’s been building future-forward solar strategies since long before it was trendy. As the founder of both EVX and Vertical Solar Solutions, Jim has been pushing the industry to think beyond basic system sizing—helping homeowners design energy systems that consider the full picture: solar, storage, EVs, and long-term resilience.

I was introduced to Jim through SunPower back in November 2021, and from the moment we connected, it was clear he was thinking several steps ahead of the industry. While most companies were hesitant to size systems for EV charging, Jim made it a standard—recognizing early on that energy independence wasn’t just about rooftop panels but about how we power our lives, our homes, and our vehicles. While his direction was spot-on, what we found was that consumers weren’t quite ready to adopt at scale. So what did Jim do? He pivoted—introducing innovative products that not only differentiated him in the market but also future-proofed his business.

Let’s dive into our Q&A next to learn insights from a true solar wizard on how to pivot. 

Where EVs Stand Today—And What’s Driving the Shift

Anna: Where do you think the EV market stands today, especially in relation to solar?
Jim: If you just go by headlines, you’d think EVs are struggling. But the truth is, the market is growing steadily—about 20% year-over-year—and that’s not slowing down. What the media often misses is how deep the adoption is going and how dramatically the cost barriers are falling, especially when it comes to the most expensive component of the vehicle: the battery.

Just three years ago, battery costs hovered around $1,000 per kilowatt (KW), which made EVs more expensive and harder to justify for the average consumer. Today, we’re seeing raw material and production costs down to around $250/KW, and in some cases even lower. That’s a game-changing shift—and it’s directly impacting EV sticker prices, bringing them closer to or even below gas-powered vehicles in total cost of ownership.

This development also bodes well for solar, given the growing correlation between EV adoption and solar interest. Once people start charging an EV at home and see their electric bills rise, solar becomes the next logical step. That’s the ecosystem that’s emerging: clean transportation powered by clean, personal energy.

When I first started down this path, I thought customers would jump in with both feet—buy an EV, add solar, maybe even a battery. But I quickly realized that most people just weren’t ready for that much change all at once. It made sense to me, but for them, it was overwhelming. The financial commitment, the shift in mindset, the learning curve—it was a lot. So instead of that all-in-one leap, we started seeing more of a step-by-step adoption. They’d buy the EV, get comfortable with it, then circle back to solar once they started seeing the spike in their electric bill.

Anna: What’s causing that price drop in batteries?
Jim: A lot of it comes down to global resource discovery, smarter extraction methods, and vertical integration by major players.

We’ve discovered far more lithium reserves than expected over the past few years. Chile and Australia continue to lead global production, but now the U.S. is stepping up. Nevada has seen major investment in lithium processing tied to Tesla’s Gigafactories. California’s Salton Sea region is becoming a hotspot for lithium extraction from geothermal brine—something that was once considered experimental but is now proving viable.

Even China, despite supply chain tension, is ramping up domestic mining and refining. That’s created a global supply race, which is driving efficiency and innovation in how we source, refine, and use lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The result? More batteries, at a lower cost, and a much more resilient supply chain than we had even two years ago.

Add to that the fact that Tesla and other manufacturers are vertically integrating—building their own battery plants, streamlining logistics, and reducing reliance on third parties—and you get a much more efficient production ecosystem. This is why we’re seeing EVs priced more competitively, even in a high-interest-rate environment.

Anna: How are EVs holding up over time compared to gas-powered vehicles?

Jim: The early predictions were off—we thought EVs would match or maybe slightly exceed internal combustion engine lifespans, but they’re far surpassing them. A typical ICE vehicle lasts around seven years, but we’re seeing Teslas with over 250,000 miles still operating at 80% battery capacity. And it’s not just Tesla. Early Nissan Leafs and Chevy Bolts are still on the road too. Even when their range drops to 40 or 50 miles, they’re still valuable for the right use case. The market really underestimated how durable these vehicles would be.

Anna: How is the political climate affecting solar and EV adoption?

Jim: There are definitely some headwinds right now. The current administration is actively trying to reverse or limit many of the clean energy incentives that were put in place over the last few years. A lot of this is happening through executive orders, which means they’re not legislative changes—they’re more vulnerable to legal challenges and court reversals.

The good news is that most of the core federal tax credits for EVs and solar installations are still intact, especially for those who can actually capitalize on them. If you’re a homeowner or a business with a tax liability, you can still benefit significantly. Where we’re seeing more concern is with nonprofit entities like 501(c)(3)s—they were previously able to get direct pay options or cash equivalents, and that piece is being contested. Right now, it’s uncertain whether those payments will continue or be restored if they’re taken away.

But overall, the train is still moving. Once you put these kinds of incentives and market forces into motion—especially with utility-scale solar and EV infrastructure—it’s not so easy to stop. There’s too much investment, too much momentum, and too much public support. Even if there’s a slowdown or some short-term confusion, the long-term trend remains strong.

Anna: How does EV charging influence solar interest?

Jim: Most people who own EVs are charging them at home—overnight, in their garage, on a regular wall outlet or Level 2 charger. What’s really exciting is the growing conversation around bi-directional charging—the ability to not only charge your EV from your home but also send that stored energy back to your home when needed. Essentially, your car becomes a mobile battery.

We’re seeing more interest in this because the economics are starting to click for consumers. If you’re commuting around 30 miles a day, and you don’t have solar, that can translate to a $200–$300 increase in your electric bill every month. So even though gas is no longer part of the equation, you’re still paying more in utilities—unless you install solar. That’s where it becomes really attractive.

Companies like SolarEdge and others are developing technologies that allow solar, battery storage, and EV charging to work seamlessly together. It’s no longer about just powering your home or just charging your car—it’s about integrating your entire energy ecosystem.

Anna: Are EVs motivating people to install solar now?

Jim: Yes, but it’s happening gradually. People are making that first leap into EVs and feeling good about it—they’re trading in a $400 gas bill for a $200 electric bill and calling it a win. That’s a comfortable step for a lot of folks, especially when they’re not quite ready to invest in a full solar setup.

But here’s the thing—we believe bidirectional charging will be the tipping point. Once people realize they can use their EV battery to power their home during peak rates, outages, or emergencies, the value proposition becomes much clearer. That’s going to be the catalyst that makes solar a no-brainer, especially for people who already have an EV sitting in the driveway.

Anna: To shift directions a bit, what’s your take on residential solar right now?

Jim: Residential solar has slowed significantly, especially under the current administration. Policy uncertainty, fluctuating incentives, and rising financing costs have all contributed to a cooling in demand. We’re not seeing the volume of middle-income homeowners jumping in like we did a few years ago.

Right now, most of the residential installs we’re doing are for high-net-worth individuals—people who want energy independence, are willing to pay cash, and aren’t as sensitive to financing terms or tax credit delays. These are the customers who want to get off the grid, maximize control, and don’t flinch at the upfront cost.

But the broad base of the residential market—the everyday homeowner—is hesitant. Financing has dried up or gotten tighter, and many folks are nervous about making a big investment in solar without clarity on long-term savings or policy support. So, in response, we’ve had to evolve.

Anna: So where is your business focusing?

Jim: We’ve strategically pivoted toward the commercial sector, and it’s been the best move we’ve made. Today, about 80% of our business is commercial canopies—installing solar on parking lots for grocery stores, shopping centers, warehouses, and other high-electricity-use businesses.

These clients aren’t just motivated by savings. There’s also a strong branding and operational benefit. Customers love shaded parking, and businesses can lower their peak demand charges while projecting a sustainability message. It’s a win-win.

A big part of why this model works is economies of scale. Because we’re buying equipment at scale—sometimes full container loads—we’re securing panels for as low as $0.25 per watt. That makes commercial projects incredibly cost-effective, especially when utility rates are high, as they are in California and parts of the Southwest.

With lower panel prices and high energy bills, the ROI on commercial canopy systems is compelling, and the projects themselves are larger and more predictable. Unlike residential, which can be fast-paced and emotionally driven, commercial projects run on logic, numbers, and long-term planning. That aligns well with our model and our team.

Anna: How have you grown your workforce to meet demand?

Jim: We’ve been in solar since 2011, and through the ups and downs of the industry, we’ve learned how to be agile. When the residential market started to contract—especially over the past couple of years—it actually created an opportunity for us. A lot of highly skilled installers, project managers, and field techs who had been working with top residential solar companies suddenly found themselves out of work or underpaid.

We recognized that gap and moved quickly. We were able to recruit top-tier talent—people who had led crews, managed high-volume installs, and knew solar inside and out. Instead of letting that talent go to waste, we retrained and repositioned them for the commercial and utility-scale sector. That’s not always a direct transition, but if you have the right systems and mentorship in place, these individuals can thrive in bigger, more complex projects.

Anna: What about labor rates—especially in California?

Jim: California is one of the toughest labor markets in the country—especially when you’re working on public works or utility-scale solar projects. The state enforces prevailing wage laws, and for solar laborers, that can mean paying up to $64 an hour, including benefits, compliance costs, and training requirements. That’s more than triple what you’d pay in some neighboring states like Arizona or Nevada.

But we don’t see that as a negative. It’s a reflection of the value of skilled labor, and frankly, we welcome it. These are demanding jobs—crews are working in the hot sun with electrical systems, lifting steel, operating machinery, and managing logistics. They’re professionals, and they deserve to be paid like it. We’re not interested in the race to the bottom you see in some parts of the residential market.

The key is making it sustainable. You can’t just absorb higher labor costs blindly—you need to plan projects with surgical precision. That means tight timelines, accurate materials sourcing, streamlined logistics, and zero surprises. Our team puts a huge amount of effort into bid preparation and project management to ensure we stay on budget without compromising quality or ethics.

We also see a return on that investment in team loyalty and project performance. When your crews know they’re being paid fairly and supported properly, the entire job site operates more smoothly. Less turnover. Less rework. Better outcomes.

Anna: How are you handling out-of-state projects?

Jim: We’ve developed a repeatable model that allows us to efficiently manage and execute solar projects across multiple states—mainly California, Arizona, and Nevada. The strategy is simple: keep the crew together, support them well, and standardize the way we work no matter where the project is located.

Here’s how it works in practice. We typically base our crews out of Arizona, where the cost of living and wages are lower, but the skill level is just as high as anywhere in the country. When we have a job in California, we’ll deploy those crews Monday morning. They’ll travel to the site—often leaving at 5 a.m.—and we put them up in cost-effective housing: Airbnbs, extended-stay hotels, or multi-room rentals with shared accommodations.

We always cover per diems, so meals and basic travel expenses are taken care of. The crew works full 8–10 hour days, Monday through Friday, and then heads back home for the weekend. It’s a structured weekly deployment model that gives us consistency and predictability, and the guys appreciate the routine. They know where they’re staying, what they’re earning, and what’s expected.

The Benefits of the Weekly Deployment Model:

• Skilled, tight-knit crews that travel together regularly and already know how to work as a unit.
• Consistent quality across job sites, regardless of state.
• Faster ramp-up on projects—no time wasted on retraining or integrating temp crews.
• Reduced churn—because our team feels valued, well-compensated, and well-managed.
• Lower overhead, since we don’t have to staff up locally or rely on inconsistent subcontractors.

Anna: What makes your company different in the solar space?

Jim: One of the biggest differentiators for us is that we’re not just an electrical contractor—we’re a licensed general contractor. That means we can take a project from the ground up: we don’t just wire panels; we can pour concrete, erect steel, build the full canopy or structure, and then install the solar system on top. That’s a huge advantage in the commercial solar world.

When you look at a parking canopy project or a large-scale installation for a retailer, warehouse, or public agency, it’s not just about attaching solar panels. There’s site prep, steel framing, foundation work, electrical interconnection, and often ADA compliance or architectural reviews. We do all of that in-house or manage it directly, which means we don’t have to subcontract core parts of the job.

This integrated model allows us to:

• Keep more margin in-house instead of paying multiple third parties.
• Reduce project timelines, since we don’t wait on outside vendors.
• Offer more competitive pricing without cutting quality.
• Ensure tighter quality control and accountability throughout the build.

Especially when working with steel canopies, the complexity increases—and that’s where our model really shines. We’re able to design, fabricate, install, and connect everything in one streamlined process, which sets us apart from solar companies that rely on multiple disconnected subcontractors to complete the same scope of work.

Anna: Do you offer design and engineering services too?

Jim: Yes—and that’s been a massive competitive advantage for us. A lot of solar companies shy away from handling the front-end design and permitting work, but we embrace it. In fact, we’ve built out a full internal design and engineering team to handle those deliverables efficiently.

Most companies will outsource that work and then charge the client $80,000 to $100,000 just to produce the plans and secure the permits. We’ve developed a streamlined process where we can do the same level of engineering and permitting for about half that cost—and still maintain great margins. Because we’re involved from the very beginning, we can optimize the project for constructability, cost, and permitting hurdles right out of the gate.

And once we’re in that early planning phase, it’s very hard for a competitor to come in and beat us. We’ve already built rapport, we know the site, and we’ve helped with early decisions—and that leads naturally into full project execution. It’s more than just being a vendor—we become a true project partner.

Anna: What’s the outlook for utility-scale solar?

Jim: The future of utility-scale solar is incredibly bright. It’s no longer just a clean energy alternative—it’s a financially superior infrastructure investment. Compared to traditional fossil fuel generation like coal or nuclear, solar wins on every metric that matters: cost, time to completion, scalability, and long-term operational savings.

Take a 300 MW coal plant. From the day you break ground to the day it’s operational, you’re looking at 6 to 10 years—and a cost of $6–8 million per megawatt. And that’s just to build it. Once it’s up and running, you still have to purchase and transport fuel, maintain massive systems, and deal with emissions regulations.

Now compare that to a 300 MW utility-scale solar farm. We can build that in 12 to 24 months, often at a cost of $1–1.5 million per megawatt. And once it’s online? No fuel. No smoke. Minimal moving parts. The only ongoing cost is maintenance and inverter replacement over time. That’s a radically different operating model—and one that’s attracting huge amounts of investment, especially from energy buyers who care about speed and predictability.

When you look at it from a pure dollars-and-sense perspective, the argument is over. Solar is faster to deploy, easier to maintain, and offers cleaner returns.

Anna: Are tariffs affecting these projects?

Jim: Tariffs are definitely part of the conversation, but they haven’t slowed the market down in any meaningful way. In fact, I’d say most of the industry is learning to build forward momentum despite the noise.

For example, on a recent 50 MW project, one of our panel vendors told us the new tariff adjustments would add $0.03 per watt. That’s not insignificant—it affects your margins and can shift how you bid. But we made the decision to move forward anyway. The project economics still made sense.

Then, a few days later, the administration announced a 90-day delay on implementing the tariff increase. So now we’re back where we started. These decisions are tough to predict, and that volatility can be frustrating. But the demand is strong enough—and the ROI is attractive enough—that most developers aren’t letting it stop progress.

Instead, we’re building agility into our procurement strategy, watching markets like Southeast Asia and Canada for pricing shifts, and working with vendors who can move quickly when things change.

Anna: How do you generate leads in commercial solar?

Jim: The commercial solar world is very different from residential. You’re not knocking on doors or pitching in a kitchen. You’re sitting across from CFOs, facility directors, asset managers, and owners—people who are used to evaluating major capital investments. These deals involve multiple decision-makers, and the relationship matters as much as the numbers.

For us, the most effective lead sources have been:

• Word of mouth from satisfied clients who refer us to other property owners or business contacts.
• Strategic partnerships, especially with steel manufacturers and structural suppliers. Since we specialize in parking canopies, we’ve built strong relationships with companies that provide steel framing systems. They frequently recommend us when a client needs solar integration because we’re known for delivering both the structure and the energy system efficiently.

Being able to execute end-to-end, from engineering and design to structural build and final commissioning, makes us a reliable partner. We’re often brought in before a solar project is even fully scoped—because of our ability to provide early feedback on feasibility, cost structure, and permitting. That early engagement is where a lot of our leads are born.

Anna: What’s your typical sales cycle?
Jim: Our average sales cycle is around 90 days—but that’s just the middle of the bell curve. The reality is, commercial sales happen at two speeds:

• Some customers, especially highly educated buyers—like national grocery chains or corporations with in-house energy managers—come to the table already informed. They’ve done their research, assessed their needs, and are just looking for the right partner. In these cases, a project can move from first contact to contract in as little as a week or two.
• On the other hand, we also deal with clients who need a lot of education and internal consensus-building. These are often mid-sized business owners or organizations new to solar. The process takes time. They need to see how solar will reduce their utility bills, what the ROI looks like, how the system integrates with their building, and how incentives work. Sometimes that can take 3–6 months, depending on how many stakeholders are involved.

But here’s the key: if you get in early—especially during the design and engineering phase—you’re in a great position. You become a trusted advisor, not just a vendor. Once you help them shape the project vision and budget, it’s hard for another company to come in and take it away. That early involvement creates momentum and trust.

Anna: Are you offering O&M? 

Jim: Yes, we do provide O&M services, but with a practical and project-specific approach. Our involvement typically depends on the size of the system, the complexity of the site, and whether the project includes performance guarantees.

For utility-scale solar projects—especially those involving investors or institutional stakeholders—we’re usually brought in to handle long-term support. These projects often come with performance clauses that require regular maintenance, uptime monitoring, and rapid response to issues. In those cases, we provide full O&M support, including scheduled inspections, equipment diagnostics, firmware updates, inverter performance tracking, and repair dispatches when needed.

In commercial canopy projects, our approach is more streamlined. We design the systems to be low-maintenance, and we include robust monitoring systems as part of the package. Most of the time, the business owner or facility manager can keep an eye on system performance via a dashboard or mobile app. These platforms make it easy to see if production drops or if there’s a fault in the system.

We also work with technology partners like Chint Power Systems (CPS), who provide turnkey monitoring solutions with their inverters and other components. These platforms offer smart alerts, data logging, and remote diagnostics—so the customer doesn’t need to worry about missing an issue. And if something goes wrong under warranty, we’re still on the hook to take care of it.

Anna: You’ve also launched some really innovative products under Vertical Solar Solutions. Can you tell me about the off-grid lighting system and what makes it unique?

Jim: Definitely. Our patented off-grid lighting system was designed to solve a really specific problem: how do you deliver long-lasting, low-maintenance lighting in places where trenching power lines isn’t practical—or affordable? Each unit uses bifacial solar panels for better energy capture, high-performance Li-ion battery storage, and LED light engines that deliver consistent output for over a decade—without battery replacement. They’re rugged, weather-resistant, and totally self-contained. Cities love them because they can retrofit onto existing infrastructure, and commercial clients appreciate the long-term savings with zero utility draw.

Anna: What kind of clients are using these lighting systems?

Jim: We’ve deployed them for municipalities, shopping centers, public parks, and even industrial yards—anywhere that needs reliable lighting but doesn’t want the hassle or cost of trenching and electrical permits. They’re also great for resilience planning—if the grid goes down, the lights stay on. And because they’re made in the U.S., many commercial buyers qualify for tax credits or bonus depreciation, which really helps the financials.

Anna: Let’s talk about the Solar Time Tracker—this is such a smart way to maximize production. How did it come about?

Jim: The tracker was born out of a really simple idea: fixed panels only perform optimally for a few hours a day. So we asked, how can we get more value out of every panel without adding complexity? The Solar Time Tracker adjusts the angle of the array based on time—not sensors—which means it’s reliable, repeatable, and requires very little maintenance. At the end of the day, it resets to face east, ready to capture the first light of morning. It boosts output by up to 40%, which makes a huge difference—especially for customers with limited space or off-grid needs.

Anna: There are a few solar tracking systems on the market today—but yours clearly has some unique features. What sets it apart?

Jim: You’re right—trackers aren’t new, but most are bulky, high-maintenance, and overengineered for small- to mid-sized applications. What makes ours different is the mounting system, which you can see in the image here. It’s purpose-built for durability, simplicity, and flexibility.

Our tracker uses a single-post, time-based rotation mechanism, which eliminates the need for GPS or sensor-based tracking that can fail or drift. The structure is engineered to support a wide range of panel types, and the mount itself is compact but incredibly stable—ideal for non-urban environments like farms, rural properties, and open commercial spaces.

You don’t need deep foundations or specialized equipment to install it. It’s cost-effective, requires minimal ground disturbance, and can even be installed over irregular terrain. That’s a big deal for customers who want the production boost of a tracker without the cost and complexity of a traditional dual-axis system.

Anna: Where do you see the biggest opportunity for this kind of mounting system?

Jim: It’s perfect for small commercial clients, rural properties, farms, and anyone who can’t go on the roof. We’ve used it for wineries, horse properties, and even over koi ponds. It opens up solar access for people who otherwise wouldn’t have viable options—and the extra energy production makes the ROI even stronger.

To Conclude This Section

As you can see from our conversation, Jim has mapped out a clear path forward—evolving from a residential and EV-focused business model to scaling into commercial and utility sectors. But he didn’t stop there. Over the past three years, he’s introduced a number of innovations designed to meet the changing demands of the solar and clean energy landscape.

Vertical Solar Solutions: Smart, Off-Grid Lighting

Through Vertical Solar Solutions, Jim and his team have developed a patented off-grid solar lighting system (US Patent #9,564,852 B2) that blends durability, efficiency, and cutting-edge performance. Each unit features:

• Bifacial solar panels for maximum energy capture
• Li-ion battery storage for long-lasting power
• High-performance LED light engines for consistent, high-lumen output

These sleek, self-powered lights are built to withstand extreme weather and provide over a decade of reliable lighting—with no battery replacements. Even better, they can be retrofitted onto existing infrastructure, giving cities and property owners a cost-effective way to modernize with sustainable tech.

Made in the USA, Vertical Solar Solutions products may also qualify for additional tax credits when installed for commercial use. 

Solar Time Tracker: Maximizing Solar Production

Another standout innovation is Jim’s Solar Time Tracker—a next-generation mounting system that boosts energy output by up to 40% over traditional ground mounts. Unlike fixed systems, the Solar Time Tracker adjusts panel position throughout the day based on time, resetting automatically each evening.

The tracker is compatible with any panel and is ideal for non-rooftop applications—from carports to open land, even over koi ponds. This flexible design expands installation options while driving greater returns for homeowners and commercial users alike.

For business owners, Jim’s story raises a critical question:
What else can you offer to save sales, differentiate your brand, and expand your market?

The solar industry is evolving fast. Staying ahead isn’t just about panels and inverters—it’s about how you adapt, innovate, and add value at every level. Jim’s example shows that when it doesn’t add up, you don’t fold—you expand.