Charge on Solar UK

[ariharry]

It appears that Tesla now supports Charge on Solar in the UK.

I have the prerequisite app version, Powerwall and vehicle firmware but I don’t see the option to enable the function in the app.

I’ve re-installed the app and solar and battery export are supported in my installation.

Has anyone got it working in the UK?

 

[KennethS]

Not certain but do you need a 3rd generation Tesla Wall Connector as well for this?

 

[ACarneiro]

Current export rates of 15p/kWh means it makes more economic sense to sell all solar production (although you do get less of "that smug feeling") so I am no longer that bothered about Charge on Solar...

 

[ariharry]

I have a 3rd gen Tesla Wall Connector.

True on the export rates but I’ve been somewhat lazy to set up, though I should do it!

Still, they advertise the capability so keen to know if anyone has got it to work.

 

[JIBYC]

Current export rates of 15p/kWh means it makes more economic sense to sell all solar production (although you do get less of "that smug feeling") so I am no longer that bothered about Charge on Solar...

My only grumble is how much Home Assistant effort has been made redundant by the new prices!

 

[Pink Duck]

I used the Tesla One Android app to connect to Backup Gateway and Powerwall 2.1 then do a System Stop and System Start, along with logging out of Tesla App and back in, which caused Vehicle Charging menu item to appear under Settings (below Powerwall, above Storm Watch). However, being a ‘legacy’ S owner all I see inside is:

Nothing visible in the car part of the app, though can get to see what it looks like on the Tesla website.

Similar thing here with regard to higher export rate, with solar diverter CT unclipped for quite some time.

 

[KennethS]

I used the Tesla One Android app to connect to Backup Gateway and Powerwall 2.1 then do a System Stop and System Start, along with logging out of Tesla App and back in, which caused Vehicle Charging menu item to appear under Settings (below Powerwall, above Storm Watch). However, being a ‘legacy’ S owner all I see inside is:

View attachment 1024139

Nothing visible in the car part of the app, though can get to see what it looks like on the Tesla website.

Similar thing here with regard to higher export rate, with solar diverter CT unclipped for quite some time.

I have a Vehicle Charging settings option for the Powerwalls in the iOS app but it only deals with the use of the battery during a power outage.

 

[Dilly]

I did have charge on Solar appear in the app but it seems to have disappeared now.
Wouldn’t be much use to me as I have Zappi chargers.

I did have a look and it appeared to be timed settings so you’d be guessing when the sun was out. Could be wrong!

 

[ACarneiro]

I don’t have the option as my Gateway seems to still be on Firmware 22.9.1
I have run a software update check but no new firmware has been offered so I emailed them to find out if there is anything wrong.

@KennethS From the blurb on the Tesla website it seems you don’t need a Gen 3 wall connector. I suspect the software modulates the charge rate in the car directly.

 

[ACarneiro]

Ah. I have also just noticed this nugget on their website:

“Note: The site needs to have solar without any export limitations.“

So it seems I wouldn’t be able to use it as my export is limited to 8kW by my DNO.
No idea why Tesla need unlimited site export, but it makes it a no-go for me.

 

[scdoubleu]

After the Tesla app updated to 4.32.0 the other day I noticed the Charge On Solar option was available. Tried it out yesterday only for it to "pause charging" because Powerwall had "priority", despite the PW2 being at 100% and around 3.5 kW of solar being exported.

Reading through the Tesla blurb (here) I suspect this is due to the Time-Based Control setting for the Powerwall in conjunction with the 15p/kWh export, 7.5p/kWh off-peak import. So the Powerwall's "priority" seems to be "make/save as much cash as possible", which is fair enough!

I didn't bother adjusting the rates in the app, but it's nice to know the feature is there if/when import/export arbitrage is no longer favourable.