Tesla has introduced a new feature called “Charge on Solar” that allows owners of its electric cars to charge their vehicles using solar power.
As renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro become more prevalent, there is an increasing surplus of energy being generated. Therefore, Tesla has developed a solution that enables owners of solar panels, Powerwalls (energy storage units), and Tesla vehicles to charge their cars using the surplus solar energy. The feature, known as “Charge on Solar,” was previously mentioned in a Tesla mobile app update and has now been officially launched.
Charge on Solar is accessible to Tesla owners in the US and Canada who possess the required hardware and software. The exact technological specifications are as follows:
• 2023.26 or higher software on a Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X, or Model Y
• 23.12.10 or higher software on a Powerwall with solar on site
• 4.22.5 or higher software on the Tesla app
With Charge on Solar, Tesla vehicles can exclusively charge using excess solar energy, which optimizes the value of a home’s solar system. Users can set charge limits and preferences via the Tesla app.
When the vehicle’s charge level is below a designated threshold, it charges from both solar power and the electrical grid. Once it surpasses this threshold, the vehicle switches to solely utilizing excess solar energy up to the specified charge limit. The charge limit can be adjusted to accommodate faster charging.
Additionally, there is a scheduling feature that allows users to stop solar charging at specific times when they anticipate increased energy consumption.
Solar-powered EVs generate no emissions whatsoever, in contrast to battery-powered EVs. As a result, the arrival of solar-powered Tesla EVs is a major moment in the clean energy revolution.
Image source: Sawyer Merritt, https://shorturl.at/bEV19. Image cropped.
