Apple creates one of the country's largest battery installations using Tesla Megapacks

Tesla

Tesla has posted a new video (below) on its YouTube channel showing the Cal Flats solar facility in Monterey County, California. It is a shining example of innovation and sustainable energy, demonstrating what happens when big companies collaborate.

With 2900 acres of cutting-edge solar technologies, the facility generates enough solar energy to power 100,000 homes per year, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 109,000 metric tons — equivalent to taking 22,000 cars off the road.

Cal Flats: A Renewable Energy Powerhouse

Tesla guru, Sawyer Merritt, tweeted about the recent release of a video showcasing the Cal Flats Megapack battery installation. The tweet highlights that the project, estimated to be worth around $100 million, was funded by Apple, and the energy generated is used to power the company's corporate headquarters in Cupertino. This collaboration between Tesla and Apple further emphasizes their commitment to a sustainable future and reducing their carbon footprint.

The solar facility comprises 280 Megawatts of solar panels, featuring a diverse range of technologies from early solar panels to the latest innovations. Cal Flats is operated by Arevon, a leader in renewable energy asset management, and helps to reduce fossil fuel usage, paving the way for a greener future.

240 MWh Megapack: Storing Excess Energy for Grid Stability

To store the excess solar energy generated at Cal Flats, Arevon has installed a Tesla 240 MWh Megapack, making it one of the largest battery installations in the U.S. Megapacks not only provide reliable power when demand is high but also serve as a backup when the grid goes down, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply for the region.

The Cal Flats solar facility and its Tesla Megapack installation serve as an inspiration for the renewable energy sector. By supporting green energy initiatives, companies like Tesla and Apple are making strides toward a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.

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Cybertruck Receives 9 Exclusive Features in Tesla Update 2024.14.3 as Tesla Shares Off-Road Guide [Video]

Tesla released a major software update for the Cybertruck with version 2024.14.3 that introduces nine exclusive features, including locking differentials, Trail Assist, Off-Road Mode and many others that add completely new capabilities to the Cybertruck. Telsa also released a guide focused on the new off-roading capabilities of the Cybertruck and how to use each driving mode.

In the same update, the Cybertruck also received additional features that were previously available on other vehicles such as the Colorizer feature, Front Passenger Air Vent and Zoom.

In a video titled “Can The Tesla Cybertruck Really Off-Road?” (video below), the BBC publication TopGear tested the latest off-road software from Tesla in a Californian desert with a Rivian R1T as a benchmark.

New Accessories

TopGear also had access to new prototype Cybertruck accessories, including a Cybercooler and a CyberInflator that lets you adjust tire pressure. Tesla is also planning the launch of Cyberboxes that fit underneath the CyberTent case and safely slide in the bed rails, as shown in the video.

Cybertruck Update

Cybertruck’s Off-Road Mode improves its performance on challenging terrains such as gravel, deep snow, rock, and sand. “All Purpose” mode will automatically adjust the tire slip based on the amount of available traction.

The new CyberTent Mode levels the vehicle using the air suspension so that you get a perfectly flat sleeping surface. It also allows you to control features like lights, air conditioning, and outlets activated — if needed.

The Trail Assist helps maintain a set cruising speed so drivers can focus on steering. The feature works as both a hill ascent and descent control preventing the wheels from slipping, Tesla explained.

Wade Mode, which was previously available allows drivers to enter and drive through “shallow bodies of water, such as defined crossing points of rivers or creeks” whereas the new “Baja Mode” will improve the vehicle’s balance. The vehicle will also handle more freely when Stability Assist is set to Minimal.

The new update also increases the sensitivity of the Cybertruck’s frunk, so that it stops earlier when it meets resistance. The model saw also its turning circle improved by 1.6 feet, making parking and low-speed maneuvers easier.

The adaptive suspension of the Cybertruck was also upgraded with more accurate payload estimations and automatically adjusting damping to deliver a more comfortable ride and better handling.

Off-Road Guide

Cybertruck Off Road Mode

The Off-Road Guide offers a comprehensive overview of Cybertruck features, detailing the various new driving modes and controls, including instructions on using Overland and Baja modes, adjusting ride height, and managing vehicle settings for different terrains.

Furthermore, the guide offers best practices for driving off-road, with tips on navigating various surfaces such as sand, mud, and rocks.

Tesla first started delivering Cybertrucks in November of last year. Despite some setbacks, Tesla continues to scale up the production of the Cybertruck at its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas.

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Video of Tesla Update 2024.14.3 Shows New Wiper Controls, Visualizations and More

Klaus Schmid / Not a Tesla App

Klaus Schmid on YouTube has posted a nice video overview of some of the major new features in this major update.

While most of the design changes appear to be limited to vehicles with AMD Ryzen chips, there are plenty of features to be excited about for Intel owners as well.

Parked Visualization

In the video, Klaus of course fiddles with the amazing-looking new vehicle model that is front and center while the vehicle is parked. You can freely pan, zoom, and play with the vehicle. The Cybertruck was the first vehicle to feature this new v12 design and even includes an easter egg when you tap on the glass multiple times. There’s no word on whether there are any easter eggs built into other vehicles.

The 3D model looks fantastic, but it's not immediately clear whether it's the same model that Tesla was using before this update or potentially a higher-resolution version, which could help explain the AMD requirement for this view.

The map while parked is now small and in the top-right corner of the screen. However, you can make the vehicle's visualization smaller so that it goes back to the older look with the visualization on the left and maps on the right.

The new parked visualization

Spotify Queue

Next, Klaus goes into Spotify, which now gives you the ability to queue up songs instead of just playing a predefined playlist or starting a new song immediately.

Quick Access to Car Wash Mode

Under Controls, you also now have quick access to Car Wash Mode, instead of having to remember it's under Service.

New Wiper Controls

The windshield wipers have been one of the most controversial topics on Teslas, mostly due to their automatic function not always working well. Tesla continues to add wiper controls to make them easier to manage.

In the last few updates, Tesla has now added various ways to control the wipers. You're able to add the wipers button to the dock at the bottom of the screen, use the newer multi-function control to control them with the left scroll wheel, and now Tesla is adding another way to control them.

Video of New Features

Easier Way to Change Wiper Speed

With update 2024.14.3, if you press the button on the left stalk to activate the wipers, you can now adjust their speed up by moving the scroll wheel up or down. Before this update, you could do something similar, but it required tilting the scroll wheel left/right, which wasn't as intuitive.

If you have your wipers on and set to a certain speed after installing this update, you’ll now also be able to tap the wipers button to cycle through the various speed options.

While this is a welcomed improvement, all the wiper control changes could be a little confusing for folks who don't follow Tesla as closely as we all do. In the end, the issue comes down to the automatic wiper function not working reliably, which is a little ridiculous since every automaker has already solved this problem with a $4 rain sensor. Tesla makes a lot of gambles, and I guess this one hasn’t panned out.

Full-Screen Visualizations

Owners outside of North America will finally be able to enjoy full-screen visualizations, although unfortunately, it doesn't include the full set of visualizations that are included with FSD. It appears that Tesla is keeping the full visualizations tied to FSD.

For drivers in North America who own or subscribe to FSD, which was recently lowered in price, the new full-screen view brings some improvements.

The new media player is now centered on the screen and includes additional buttons such as repeat, shuffle, search and more. You also get the small map in the corner which is useful to be able to see your next turn.

In addition, Tesla is now leaving the "Navigate to" module on the screen as well, so that you can set a new destination without leaving the admittedly nice full-screen view.

Update 2024.14.3 just started rolling out to owners yesterday, so it will be several weeks before most owners have access to this update. For now, check out all of our coverage and the release notes to see which features you can look forward to.

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