Tesla's Charge on Solar function can reduce your carbon footprint and electricity bills.
Tesla consistently rolls out software updates, and the latest has brought several new features to the fray, including a “Charge on Solar” function that lets owners charge using only renewable energy. By using this, your Tesla – be it a Model 3, Model Y, or one of the larger vehicles – can charge using excess energy produced by Tesla's solar system. Unfortunately, 2012-2020 Model S and 2015-2020 Model X vehicles are incompatible.
Here's how it works. Setting it up is easy enough. Select your vehicle in the Tesla app, and tap “Charge in Solar.”
From here, you will follow the prompts to set your charging location and charge limits. Every time the vehicle is plugged into the chosen location, Charge on Solar is automatically used to charge your Tesla to the chosen limit, using only energy gleaned from the sun.
But what if your solar system doesn't provide the range you require?
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Charge on Solar has a nifty sun slider that allows you to set what percentage of your charge comes from solar and another energy source. If you know your solar energy reserves will give you 50% battery, the rest of the charging session switches to a more conventional source.
“Your vehicle will charge from solar and the grid when your current charge level is below the left sun slider. After your vehicle's charge level passes the sun slider, your vehicle automatically switches to only charge on excess solar up to your charge limit,” explains Tesla.
The automaker adds that owners will get the most out of the Charge on Solar function if the vehicle is plugged in during the daytime. For example, this is handy for people who work from home and only use their car in the evenings.
To match the excess power created by your solar system and the power consumption for your home, the vehicle will cleverly adjust the charge power every ten seconds or so.
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Tesla notes that the EV may wait until there is 1.2 kW of solar power in order to extend the lifetime of your charging equipment and boost efficiency.
Tesla owners can also set the Charge on Solar function to only use excess solar until a specific time in the day. Let's say, for example, that you set it to 7 PM. The vehicle will then register the change and accept another charging source at that time. This way, you can use solar energy during the day and switch to the grid at night when costs are lower.
Many have argued that EVs don't emit emissions, but they're not “green” vehicles, as they still rely on non-renewable energy. Tesla's Charge on Solar system will allow owners to charge mainly using renewable energy, which is encouraging.
To use this feature, your Tesla vehicle must have 2023.26 software or higher. You'll also need a Powerwall with solar on site (23.12.10 or newer software) and the Tesla app 4.22.5 or higher.
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Keyword: Tesla Charge On Solar Finally Makes EV Charging Emissions-Free