Sunplug Sign in

Setup guides → Tesla

Tesla

Sunplug controls the car, not a wallbox: nothing to install or configure. It sets the charging current amp by amp with the sun, and reads the battery to know when to stop.

Models3, Y, S and X — except pre-2018 S and X
Wallbox neededNo
Sees state of chargeYes

Which cars work

Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X. Sunplug sends both Tesla's newer signed commands and the original REST commands, picking per car, so pre-refresh Model S and Model X work too.

Exception: pre-2018 Model S and Model X. They don't support Tesla's Fleet Telemetry, so Sunplug cannot control them directly yet. Your wallbox still can, without the state of charge.

Model S and Model X from 2018 to 2020 need software 2025.20 or later, and one setting on the car's own screen: Controls → Safety → Allow Third-Party App Data Streaming. It is not in the Tesla app.

Connecting

  1. Settings → Equipment → Cars → Connect with Tesla
  2. Sign in on Tesla's page. Sunplug never sees your password.
  3. Select all the permissions Tesla lists, or Sunplug cannot fully control charging. Approve.
  4. Your cars appear on the dashboard within a few seconds.

Withdraw access any time from your Tesla account.

What Sunplug asks for, and why

Vehicle dataState of charge, whether it is plugged in, charging rate
Charging commandsSetting the current, starting and stopping
LocationOnly to check the car is at home

Setting your targets

Each car has one slider with two handles. Blue is the floor the grid guarantees overnight or during your schedule; amber is how much further the sun may take it. It never charges past your solar target unless you ask. Boost charges now at full rate; Trip takes a departure time and a target and starts as late as it can.

Two cars

Both charge at once, sharing the surplus within your wiring's combined limit. Give one priority or split evenly.

If you change the rate in the Tesla app

If the car reports a different current from the one Sunplug commanded for long enough, Sunplug hands control back. The car card shows "control paused"; resume it when you are ready.

When it does not work

"Something went wrong. Try again later"

Shown on Tesla's sign-in page, this is a fault on Tesla's side; nothing in Sunplug changes it. Tell me and I will check whether it is the known fault.

Commands are accepted but nothing happens

Newer cars need a virtual key before they honour signed commands. The app will prompt you to add it.

The car shows only its name and "not linked"

On a 2018–2020 Model S or X, the streaming setting is off: turn on Allow Third-Party App Data Streaming under Controls → Safety on the car's screen. Reconnecting Tesla does not change it.

The car shows as "away"

Either it is not at home, or the home position needs correcting in Settings.

Charging stops and starts repeatedly

The wait times in Settings have been turned down too far. The defaults wait several minutes before stopping and longer before restarting, to spare the contactor.

Not a Tesla? Everything here except the state of charge works through your wallbox.