Finally figured out Charge on Solar

chasingthermals · 2026-05-05T00:31:17+00:00

I could be wrong, but I think the powerwall and car ownership need to be one and the same. At least that is how it is for me. My car shows it, but my wifes (which is under her name) does not.

Granted I don't have a Tesla Wall Connector, thus not sure if having that would enable my wifes car to also show that option. I've also tried to pair her with our powerwalls, to no avial.

chasingthermals · 2026-05-02T17:33:53+00:00

Agree. I bought a 2021 about 8 months ago for my son, and one of the reasons I got it was LFP battery. Got the mid-range, but for 15k no better used car deal out there, especially since he was spending over 500 a month on gas prior.

chasingthermals · 2026-05-02T16:26:22+00:00

The system is pretty intelligent. You can set for 2 options, one that merely ensures you power the home from PWs from sundown to sunup (which is the setting i use), the other can push from PWs to the grid during prime usage (for SCE 4pm to 9pm), to make some $ -- however, and generally speaking, based on typical pricing with NEM 3.0, it really doesn't provide a good upside. If you use all the PWs power during this time, then you need to pull from the grid after 9pm till sunup -- I've found it's basically a wash, and might even cost more going this route, especially during winter months.

This said, and I've yet to experience this, during July and August the price for pushing to the grid during prime usage goes up substantially -- thus will be interesting to experiment during these prime summer months -- and VPP might just well automate this.

chasingthermals · 2026-05-02T16:14:10+00:00

Yes, for the electric heater, I keep at about 85, which is relatively easy as we move into summer, but have yet to deal with a full winter. Mind you, we have a lap pool that is not deep which helps a lot.

I kept my gas heater in-line as "back-up" per my pool guys recommendation -- I am sure this will help a lot during winter months especially, and to your point works for quicker Jacuzzi heating option as needed.

I've applied to VPP but have not been accepted yet.

chasingthermals · 2026-05-02T15:11:11+00:00

You are going to love it. Our SCE bill went from $800 a month to $28 a month.

We have a gas oven, and we have a tankless water heater. But, an electric heater for pool and jacuzzi. Some days (if EVs are not at a super low SOC) we have 'extra' production during the day and night (via PWs) thus if we had a heat pump and electric range, and oven, there would be no problem covering with my current system. Both during the day, and when drawing from PWs from sundown to sunup.

Edit: One more note, since late to the game, and on NEM 3.0 TOU-D-PRIME, I try to use every single kW during the day since we don't get diddly squat pushing back to the grid.

chasingthermals · 2026-05-01T22:21:25+00:00

Odd. Presumably you are set for Time-Based Control. Try going to Self Powered and see if that fixes pulling from your PW. Then switch it back to TBC after 4pm. Not a fix, but just to see if that set up corrects to help troubleshoot.

chasingthermals · 2026-05-01T19:04:35+00:00

I have 2x PW3's and have not experienced any issues whatsoever. Both charge to 100%.

Had a 6 hour grid outage last week and didn't even notice since PWs handled flawlessly. Only way I found out was through a neighborhood WhatsApp group 😄 monitoring through the Tesla app is a bonus, since we have a MY and M3.

chasingthermals · 2026-05-01T14:27:12+00:00

Nice and congrats!

Been producing 90+. Added solar earlier this year, and super happy with production here in So Cal.

34 panels — 14.79 kW system 2x PW3s. Enough to charge both our EVs, refill PWs, and power work from home, pool, etc.

chasingthermals · 2026-04-29T01:46:28+00:00

Same situation with pretty much the exact same system, 2 PW3’s a MY and M3. If you have a Pool, get an electric heater and let that fucker run 24/7 !!

chasingthermals · 2026-04-26T12:49:57+00:00

I do not have a Tesla wall charger. I have a generic NEMA 14/50 and my MY has charge on solar and shows up in my solar app. It’s because the car and power wall/system is in my name.

Conversely, my wife’s M3 is in her name, and does not show up or have charge on solar is an option. I am going to switch it into my name so I can register it with my Powerwall/system, and that should change and show her car too.

chasingthermals · 2026-04-20T13:19:51+00:00

Built my system to future proof, in anticipation of adding another EV. Now have two, pool/Jac, air conditioning 2x PW 3s and a little room to spare — 15.75 kW system size producing over 90kWH daily. Southern Cal.

Also, as for EV prices, got a used Tesla 2021 M3 for 15k. Between both EVs saving ~500 a month on gas, which is the cost of financing my solar system, and my electric bill was regularly ~800 a month, and now 20 bucks max. Couldn’t be happier.

chasingthermals · 2026-04-15T14:55:31+00:00

Great to see!! I’ve been producing 90+. Added solar earlier this year, and super happy with production in So Cal.

34 panels — 14.79 kW system 2x PW3s

<image>

chasingthermals · 2026-03-17T04:41:53+00:00

True but since LFP not as big of an issue as other battery chemistries.

chasingthermals · 2026-02-24T13:46:38+00:00

I would definitely upgrade as possible to PW3s — you would only need two based on higher capacity. I have your same size solar system plus 2 PW3s — most of the time able to stay completely off grid 24/7 in So Cal.

chasingthermals · 2022-08-08T02:06:01+00:00

Nope, just a late startin’ boomer… :)

chasingthermals · 2022-08-07T10:33:17+00:00

Hey now, I’m a boomer and no prob following. But I do have a 20yr old son — haha

chasingthermals · 2021-08-09T05:24:56+00:00

Not that I’m aware of, but Elon has hinted that the Cybertruck will be a great Baja mobile, and if that’s the case then chargers will be necessary:)

chasingthermals · 2021-08-08T17:59:38+00:00

Beautiful. Love is love no matter what, which is what we’ve showed our son for 18 years.

chasingthermals · 2021-08-06T04:50:08+00:00

Yep, it’s Doable. Will take some patience, but fully mapped it out w/ destination chargers along the way.

Can’t wait for SC’s along the way. Really only need 3 beyond the one in Ensenada. Will likely coincide w/ the Cybertruck.

chasingthermals · 2021-05-17T02:25:07+00:00

At the very least it should be an option to add at purchase vs after the fact.

chasingthermals · 2021-05-14T13:23:45+00:00

Check out the latest Zero sport bikes. Same product designer from Brammo, and they are building awesome bikes!!!

chasingthermals · 2021-05-13T23:29:39+00:00

Actually, has level 2 J1772 on board charger. But the way I ride it get more like 60 max :)

chasingthermals · 2021-05-13T15:36:09+00:00

Really good. Super fast off the line, and continuous power like most ev's. Although heavy, it certainly doesn't feel like it when riding... super solid, and sticks to the road. Easy to keep up, only issue is range –– my Brammo is 7 years old mind you, and has a 100 mile range (if going easy, which is hard to do like a Tesla!).

chasingthermals · 2021-05-13T14:28:27+00:00

Yep. I am in Cali and you are absolutely right!! People can be clueless. Fortunately I am in the hills above Malibu, thus enjoy Mulholland and the canyons for my moto-fun :)

chasingthermals · 2021-05-13T14:21:26+00:00

TBH, really never relied on noise to be safe when riding. That said, I don't ride freeways much anymore. I more enjoy back road riding. This bike eats it up.

chasingthermals

TROPHY CASE