Residential solar energy slowly but surely rises in popularity. And there is no wonder, as increasing utilities force people to look for alternatives. Meanwhile, growing climate change concerns make us look for eco-friendly power production. Solar energy fits both these parameters perfectly but what benefits can you achieve by using the Tesla Powerwall system?
Today, we will explore the advantages of the Tesla solar system. You will understand how you can produce clear electricity and save money simultaneously. Check this article to determine whether the Tesla solar system fits your eco-friendly needs.
It is a solar-powered system with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for home energy storage. Tesla batteries work in conjunction with solar panels to provide homeowners with several benefits:
The Tesla Powerwall is a compact unit that can be easily installed in your home. Its stackable design allows you to add more units for increased capacity. Using the official Tesla solar app, you can control the system’s productivity from your mobile phone.
When choosing a Tesla home battery, look closely at its capacity and output. These are the two most important parameters that determine the battery’s potential. Estimate your desirable requirements before the purchase by finding the average spent electricity and the combined output of your essential devices.
Today, there are three types of Tesla Powerwall batteries. We’ve gathered them all in the comprehensive table to ease your comparison. Here, you can review all crucial parameters like Tesla Powerwall capacity, output, scalability, etc.
Feature | Tesla Powerwall 3 | Tesla Powerwall + | Tesla Powerwall 2 |
Capacity (kWh) | 13.5 | ||
Continuous Power Output (kW) | 11.5 | 5 | |
Peak Power Output (kW) | N/A | 7.6 | |
Backup Power |
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Scalability | Up to 4 units | Up to 10 units | |
Weight | 287 lbs | 344 lbs | 251 lbs |
Warranty | 70% capacity after 10 years |
You can only install a Powerwall + battery setup with additional Powerwall 2 units in a side-by-side configuration. However, you cannot mix Powerwall 2 and Powerwall 3 in the same system. To use them in the same building, you must create two separate systems.
A Tesla Powerwall comprises numerous components that work together to store and manage energy generated from the panels. The leading parts are:
The basic set of the Tesla solar system doesn’t include the backup gateway hub, so you should buy it separately. The hub provides a seamless grid connection and can manage the flow between the home, solar panels, and utility grid. It also offers advanced backup power management to ease the switching process during outages.
You can connect the Tesla backup battery side-by-side or by using stacked mounting. Remember that you can connect only Powerwalls from the same generation. If you bought Powerwall 2 and Powerwall +, you can easily connect them to a single system. Meanwhile, you can’t add Powerwall 3 to it. To gather batteries from different generations, you should create two unlinked systems to manage them separately.
A Tesla battery is a heavy lithium-ion device, and wall stacking significantly increases the weight on the wall. In the future, it can become a significant structural burden, so many installers prefer side-by-side flour mounting as a safer option. In this case, you attach a Tesla battery for solar panels to the floor and gently anchor it to the wall to avoid tipping.
You will need a lot of space to accommodate Tesla solar panel batteries. Many installers recommend placing the system in the garage or the attic as they have enough space.
Beware that a single panel requires at least 38-40 inches of wall space. It has air vents on the right and the top sides. Thus, you should provide enough space between Tesla Powewall and any obstruction.
If you need to place multiple batteries side-by-side, ensure that you have at least 6 inches on the right side to allow proper airflow. When installing a single Powerwall, verify your battery has at least 2 inches of clearance above. When stacking panels, provide 12 inches of clearance above the topmost unit.
If you need to connect the Backup Gateway, ensure you have at least 2-by-3 feet of free space to guarantee the proper installation. Test the Wi-Fi signal, as the Gateway needs a constant internet connection.
The price of a single unit depends on several factors, including a model, the number of units, the installation location, and permission fees.
However, the more panels you buy, the less you pay for a single panel. For example, an order of five Tesla Powerwall batteries typically costs $8,000-9,000 per unit or $40,000-45,000 with the bundle discount.
Enter your address and typical electric bill cost when ordering Powerwall units on Tesla’s website. They will estimate your roof square footage based on the address provided. Later, you’ll get an email with the expected Tesla solar panels cost.
Source: Forbes
Use this table to determine the Tesla Powerwall cost for your situation. But remember that these are just estimates. The final Tesla Powerwall price depends on your location, setup complexity, and permit fees.
Like any technology, the Tesla Solar system has its advantages and disadvantages.
But like any disruptive technology, solar energy has a high entry threshold. The upfront cost of a Tesla Powerwall system, including solar panels, starts at $20,000. The significant investment can take several years to recoup through potential electricity bill savings. Carefully analyze your electricity usage patterns and potential cost savings to achieve the maximum savings.
To keep the warranty, you need to work only with Tesla-certified teams. We don’t recommend mounting the Tesla solar system alone, as you’ll immediately lose the warranty. You can contact us to provide the list of verified installers in your area.
Tesla Powerwall Warranty Conditions
The Tesla Powerwall warranty covers two key aspects: product performance and workmanship quality.
How to Purchase a Tesla Powerwall
There are two ways to purchase a Tesla Solar system: on Tesla’s website or by asking our experts to find the best local installers in your area. In either case, you need to provide your address and average monthly bill to pre-calculate the suitable system parameters. Tesla-certified experts will provide estimated system and installation costs, depending on your location and roof complexity.
Later, you’ll receive a consultation, during which you can discuss project details. If you are ready to install a Tesla backup battery, the team will schedule a visit to plan the mounting. They will develop a customized system design proposal with a recommended number of Powerwall units, a Tesla solar panel system size, an installation plan, and an estimated cost breakdown.
Review the proposal to determine whether it aligns with your needs. Ask clarifying questions about the Tesla solar equipment, installation process, warranties, and payment options. Once you are satisfied with the proposal, you can place the order.
Financing this system can be expensive, but you can still save money while installing a Tesla Powerwall. You can apply for a federal tax credit and find a state or local incentive to lower the initial cost even more.
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) offers a 30% tax credit on installing a solar energy system, including battery storage like the Tesla Powerwall. This credit applies to the total system cost, including the battery units, solar panels, inverters, and other installation materials.
Also, we recommend researching local incentives for your Tesla solar system. They can save you a few thousand on taxes and direct rebates. If your electricity utility company provides net metering, you can sell excessive energy generated by the Tesla Solar system back to the grid. You will receive metering credits to lower electricity bills on cold and cloudy days.
Some states or municipalities might offer property tax exemptions for homes with Tesla solar energy systems, including battery storage. Contact your local tax office or municipality and ask them to provide available incentives for your Tesla Solar system.
The first thing you need to do is match your needs. Don’t get carried away with the idea of “bigger is better.” You can always buy more Tesla Powerwall batteries later. Carefully assess your average daily electricity usage and peak usage times.
If you need a system that should power just the essential devices during outages, installing a single Tesla Powerwall battery may be enough. However, if you buy a Tesla solar system to become fully independent, ensure the system capacity is slightly higher than your average needs. This investment will pay off in the future.
Explore local financing options for your Tesla solar system. Ask the installer team for suitable financing options for your Tesla solar panels, such as loans, leases, and PPAs. Spend some time finding the best deal for your particular situation.
Tesla Powerwall vs. Competitors
Tesla Powerwall is a popular home battery storage solution, but it’s not the only player in the game. Here’s a comparison of Tesla Powerwall with some key competitors to help you decide which might be the best fit for your needs.
Factor | Tesla Powerwall 2 | sonnenCore** | Panasonic EverVolt Home Battery | Generac PWRcell |
Capacity Range | 13.5 kWh | 10 kWh | 13.5 kWh | 8.5 kWh – 13.1 kWh (single unit) |
Technology | Lithium-ion | Lithium iron phosphate | Lithium ferrite phosphate | Lithium-ion |
Round-Trip Efficiency | 90% | >85% | 90% | 89% |
Continuous Power Output | 5 kW | 4.8 kW | 7.6 kW | 9 kW |
Warranty | 10 years of product, 4 years of workmanship (US) | 10 years of product or 10,000 cycles | 12 years of product | 10 years (70% capacity retention) |
Scalability | Yes, up to 10 units | Yes, up to 3 units | Yes, up to 4 units | Yes, additional units can be stacked |
Integration | Compatible with most solar panel systems, but encouraged for use with Tesla solar system. | Integrates seamlessly with sonnenEco inverters | Works with most solar panel systems | Integrates seamlessly with Generac generators |
Price | Competitive, yet higher than in many rivals | Premium-priced | More on the expensive side | Competitive priced |
Tesla Powerwall is one of the best batteries on the market in terms of value for its price. While remaining competitive in cost, Tesla solar batteries provide many advanced options to ease your daily life. They are also easy to maintain.
Source: Tesla
This application can help you get the most out of your residential solar system. It provides a myriad of useful features, like managing the system’s current state, including energy production, battery load, power flow patterns, and more. The Tesla solar app allows you to access the system’s historical data.
You can use different modes of the Tesla solar application to optimize the system’s performance.
Overall, the Tesla Solar app is a user-friendly platform for managing your energy production system. Here, you can adjust it to improve cost savings and modify your consumption habits.
Yes, this system is easy to use and manage even remotely. You can change its settings even when you are currently on another continent. Not many solar systems offer this freedom of remote management.
Check the possibility of net metering to achieve additional benefits. If your power provider has it, you can sell the excessive energy to them. So, if you generate a lot of clean energy, you can save on bills with a Tesla Solar system. If you live in an area with frequent outages and rely heavily on backup power, a Tesla Solar can provide essential appliance support during those times.
Before making the final decision, we recommend estimating your current and potential needs. That way, you will find a perfect fit for your Tesla Solar system and lower the payback period.
In any case, it would be better to consult with professionals to get the best Tesla Powerwall configuration. Contact Solar Power System experts to save your time on market research and find the perfect installer team.
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