Tesla Now Lets Drivers ‘Charge On Solar,’ Powering EVs By Harnessing The Sun
Energy generated from solar, wind, or hydro sources can sometimes exceed immediate demand. Rather than going to waste, this excess power can be stored or redirected for other purposes, such as charging your Tesla.
Tesla has introduced a new option for its electric vehicles: ‘Charge on Solar’. This feature enables owners to recharge their EVs using untapped sustainable energy generated by their home’s photovoltaic panels.
To use this eco-friendly charging method, Tesla customers must possess a compatible EV from the automaker, the Tesla app, and a Powerwall system equipped with solar panels on their property.
Tesla vehicles will draw power from photovoltaic-generated electricity and the grid, keeping their battery levels below a designated threshold, represented by a “sun slider.” However, once the battery charge surpasses this slider, the vehicle will shift to rely solely on excess green energy.
Users can set up the new charging method via the Tesla app, and establish a specific limit to determine the charge location from their mobile devices. Additionally, Tesla vehicles equipped with the Charge on Solar option will harness surfeit renewable electricity whenever it becomes available.
Tesla’s Scheduled Charging feature comes into play for those seeking even greater control over their charging patterns. It enables users to restrict excess solar charging to specific periods, making it easier to manage and plan energy consumption according to individual preferences and needs. Moreover, Scheduled Charging can take advantage of the oversupply of renewable power and schedule grid charging during periods of lower costs, such as at night.
Currently, the Charge on Solar option is exclusively available to Tesla customers residing in the United States and Canada. Furthermore the option currently supports only Tesla’s 2021 or newer models of the Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y.
