Tesla Powerwall Certified Installers in MN
Cedar Creek Energy is now a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer, which means we now offer a customized solar-plus-battery solution that enables you to access the free, abundant power of the sun and reduces your reliance on fossil fuels. With Powerwall you can store solar energy generated during the day for use at any time. During the day, the sun shines on your solar panels, charging your battery.
At night, your home draws electricity from your battery, powering your home with clean, sustainable energy 24/7. Installing Powerwall with Cedar Creek Energy is easy. We take care of everything from system design, permitting, installation, financing, and monitoring.
Powerwall consists of a 14 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, liquid thermal control system, an integrated inverter, and software that intelligently dispatches electricity when it’s needed most. The unit mounts seamlessly on a wall or on the ground, indoors or outdoors, and is connected to the grid to export excess energy, maximizing your opportunity for economic benefit. Learn more about Powerwall.
The Benefits of A Tesla Powerwall
Powerwall can provide a number of benefits including:
- Self-Powered – Powerwall increases the self-consumption of solar power generation. Powerwall can store surplus solar energy during daylight hours and use that energy later when the sun is not shining.
- Time-Based Control – Powerwall can charge during low rate periods when demand for electricity is lower and discharge during more expensive rate periods when electricity demand is higher.
- Back-up power – Assures power in the event of a grid outage.
Meet Tesla Powerwall
Powerwall is a home battery that stores solar energy so you can use it day or night and self-power your home. Solar panels typically generate more clean energy than your house can immediately use. Powerwall stores that excess solar to make it available on demand, maximizing your use of solar and reducing your reliance on the grid. Through the Tesla mobile app, you gain full visibility and control over your self-powered home.
Tesla is Leading the Charge
A true thought-leader in clean energy, Tesla has been working to revolutionize residential solar storage through its Powerwall battery.
In 2016, the company unveiled the second-generation Powerwall, a compact residential battery pack that can power your home at night and during power outages. According to Tesla, “A self-powered home combines solar energy and Powerwall to independently power your home day and night. During the day, solar panels may produce more energy than your home uses.
Powerwall stores that excess solar energy and makes it available on demand, even after the sun has set.” The engineers at Cedar Creek Energy are Tesla Powerwall Certified Installers, which means they have the expertise to assess, audit, design, build, and monitor your power system.
HOW IT WORKS
The Tesla Powerwall is usually paired with a home solar panel system. A house equipped with solar panels usually produces more electricity during the day than it consumes at the time of generation. This extra solar power can be stored in the Powerwall battery instead of being sent back to the electric grid.
At night or when the solar panels are not producing enough electricity to meet the home’s demand, the homeowner can pull energy from the Tesla Powerwall instead of having to buy it from the utility.
The self-contained, waterproof unit is always on, operates quietly, and can be mounted on the floor or wall individually or as part of a stack of multiple batteries.
BENEFITS
MONEY SAVINGS
Programmed to store power when energy rates are lower and to use stored energy when rates are higher.
OUTAGE PROTECTION
Ensure power in the event of a grid outage.
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Store surplus solar energy during the day for usage when the sun isn’t shining.
COST
A Tesla Powerwall costs about 18,000. Additional required equipment may include a gateway, related hardware, and labor costs. However, this is before local solar rebates and incentives go into effect. The entire system including installation is eligible for the 30% federal tax credit and may also be eligible for local rebates.
Tesla offers the Powerwall 2 with a 10-year warranty on parts and performance (70% energy retention) after the initial installation. Click here to learn more about the Tesla Powerwall warranty.
We install across Texas, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia including:
“Great working with the crew at Freedom Solar. The process was transparent and went as promised. The system delivers exactly as advertised and I couldn’t be happier. It’s wonderful to be contributing to the environment while maintaining peace of mind with Tesla Powerwall backup when the grid goes down.”
David H.Georgetown, TX
0 We ordered our Tesla battery to augment our already installed solar array. We called right after the big winter storm in February 2021. Understandably, there was a six month wait. But the team made it as easy as possible. They handled literally all the paperwork. I filled everything out once. Then as each part of the process, such as permitting, came up they sent the already filled paperwork to the responsible party. It was almost like having a full concierge service. As for solar and a battery. We have 20 panels and a single Tesla power wall. We have an older pool pump and a 2400 square foot home. Two adults working from home. The pump on the pool runs 8 hours a day. With the battery we are 50% to 70% self powered monthly. It is a balance with winter months not being so sunny and also not needing to run the AC. The benefit I didn’t really understand until seeing it was that the battery could hold us over almost all night. It was cheaper to use our own power from the battery then it is to send power back to the grid. IE. You send power back at x rate and get a credit. But use power later in the day at y rate. Y rate always ended up more costly then x rate. So better to just keep our power and use it our self. The real benefit is that we literally could power our house with no pool for a few days if it got bad with some solar production. The battery can also be notified of a storm and hold on to a 100% charge plus get power from the grid to get there. It won’t save you a TON of money. But it gives us a ton of peace of mind. Plus feels good to not rely so heavily on the Texas grid. Azucena K. Austin, Texas
1 I’ve only had my battery for a week and it’s already backed up the house 4 times; three 15 minute power outages; and this past Tuesday morning I was noticed I was on the battery for just over 6 hours; turns out the grid was having multiple power surges (as high as 257.5v) and the Tesla system detected these surges and went into its “back-up mode,” separating from the grid and going to battery power…the Tesla battery is expensive but IS worth the cost. So far I have no regrets, and don’t expect any. Dale M. DFW, TX
2 I’ve only had my battery for a week and it’s already backed up the house 4 times; three 15 minute power outages; and this past Tuesday morning I was noticed I was on the battery for just over 6 hours; turns out the grid was having multiple power surges (as high as 257.5v) and the Tesla system detected these surges and went into its “back-up mode,” separating from the grid and going to battery power…the Tesla battery is expensive but IS worth the cost. So far I have no regrets, and don’t expect any. Dale M. DFW, TX
3 Installed Solar and Tesla Powerwall 2 in January 2021. Then the storm of all storms hit in mid-February with 9 days of below freezing temps. The setup never missed a beat and exceeded my expectations. We never lost power throughout the entire storm and the Powerwall was the primary reason for that success. Everything that was discussed in the installation review and how it would perform was spot on. Steve S. Austin, TX
4 At first I was very hesitant to even consider the product, however after much review, research and the teams answering my questions I decided to go ahead and install the Solar System with Battery backup power. I am convinced that I have made an excellent investment, and that the team installing my equipment did it with absolute professionalism. Here is a extra star for ensuring great (Customer Success). Thank you! Daniel S. Tampa, FL
5 “Highly recommend Freedom Solar if you’re considering solar panels and/or Tesla Powerwalls. They were AWESOME to work with, from the first phone call to…well, I’d say the last communication, but our solar consultant, Walter Anoruo, has been great at texting to keep in touch and checking in on our production, so there hasn’t been a last! We had 22 solar panels and 2 Tesla Powerwall 2s installed. Started the process in August and everything was closed out in late October. Some other takeaways: 1. Responsive and customer-oriented: – As soon as I called for the first time to get a quote, they picked up (which, apparently, some of their other competitors have difficulty doing…i.e., Texas Solar Outfitters) and were extremely helpful off the bat. After asking some general questions about what we were looking for, they scheduled a solar consultant meeting just a few days later. – Throughout the process, the Freedom team did a fantastic job at keeping in touch and being available for any questions. I could email, text, call, whatever, anyone on the team any time of the day and folks would be so responsive. 2. High quality product and install: – We were really drawn to the fact that Freedom is a one-stop-shop for the SunPower panels (which, after a fair amount of research, we do believe to be the best out there). – We’re only a couple months into the installation, but so far so good. Everything is working exactly as described. 3. Streamlined/easy process: – Freedom took care of all the permitting, etc., and so we found the installation process to be extremely streamlined. – They also have a relationship with Green Sky bank to offer 0% financing (which we are utilizing). They’ll even submit the application for you, so again, everything was just so easy.” Josephine V. Houston, TX
Power Everything with Tesla Powerwall
Tesla’s Powerwall system is a modern solar battery designed to generate sustainable power in your home. Tesla energy storage batteries feature a compact, minimalist design that easily complements any home style and solar energy system. Its all-in-one construction allows for a simple installation process, and its water-resistant properties, along with versatile mounting options, enable effortless installation for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Tesla’s innovative home energy technology stores solar power for use during the day, night, or when the power is out due to a power outage or disruption. By storing and recharging energy naturally from the sun, you’ll be caring more for the environment by offsetting your home’s emissions and energy costs all year round.
Tesla Powerwall – Powering Your Home and the Future
Solar storage batteries from Tesla are the modern solution to managing your energy consumption while gaining complete independence from the grid. Featuring a child- and pet-friendly design with no exposed wires or hot vents, Tesla Powerwall batteries can be floor or wall-mounted indoors or outdoors, and its slim structure allows you to stack up to ten Powerwall batteries together to meet your specific energy needs.
By using the Tesla app, you’ll be able to monitor your solar energy in real-time, control your system from anywhere with remote access, and set customized settings to optimize energy use while saving on utility costs. With Tesla solar energy batteries, you’ll have a system that maintains outage protection by detecting power disruptions and automatically recharges with sunlight to keep your appliances running seamlessly for days. Contact Better Tomorrow Solar today and take complete control over your home energy use.
Tesla Solar Roof: One year on, an owner reveals what it’s really like to live on solar
Elon Musk wants to make your roof your own mini-grid.
In 1954, Bell Labs revealed an invention that would change the future of clean energy: The world’s first known practical silicon solar cell.
The New York Times reportedly hailed it as “the beginning of a new era, leading eventually to the realization of one of mankind’s most cherished dreams.”
That dream — to use the energy of the Sun to create electricity — is still unrealized, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been progress.
All you need to do is take a walk through a city, and you can see them everywhere: solar panels powering homes, offices, and municipal buildings. Since these panels made their way onto roofs in the 1970s, new data from the Solar Energy Industries Association suggests that installed residential capacity in the U.S. equates to 23 gigawatts in 2021. That accounts for nearly 20 percent of the U.S.’s total solar energy generated.
Today, Tesla’s Solar Roof is leading the charge with an innovation of its own: cutting out the middle step between building the roof and installing the solar panels. Tesla’s specially-designed tiles mean anyone can outfit their home with what looks like a typical (if a bit glossy) roof that provides the house with power.
HORIZONS is an Inverse newsletter on the innovations of today that will shape the world of tomorrow. Forecast the future by signing up for free.
Tesla Solar Roof up close.
The roof tiles are limited in availability, which means Tesla Solar Roofs are unlikely to become as ubiquitous as the bulkier panels we see pasted onto roofs around the neighborhood. Some estimates put the cost of Solar Roofs tens of thousands of dollars above a similar, more conventional solar panel installation.
Tesla is noticeably tight-lipped about how many Solar Roofs it has sold. The company claims it has fitted solar energy systems on 400,000 roofs in the U.S., but does not reveal how many are Solar Roofs versus retrofit solar panels. Pew Research in 2019 found that six percent of U.S. homeowners have installed solar panels, and the Census Bureau found there were 83.5 million owner-occupied housing units at the end of 2021.
But the few people that do own a Solar Roof say it has changed their life — just like the New York Times predicted solar cells could.
“I would definitely recommend the Solar Roof,” Tomas Nochta tells Inverse. Nochta lives in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, works in the hospitality industry, and has a 1,175-square-foot roof with enough sunlight-harvesting tiles to generate 7.6 kilowatts of power — enough to power Nochta’s home.
WHAT IS TESLA SOLAR ROOF?
Elon Musk’s Solar Roof was first unveiled in October 2016. Around two years later, Reuters reported that Tesla had only activated 12 roofs in California. Installations remained extremely limited in the U.S. until October 2019, when Tesla unveiled a tweaked version of the roof tiles to enable faster installation.
Ironically, CEO Elon Musk told an audience in 2019 that it would be the “year of the solar roof” — the year when solar deployments reached their lowest point since the roof’s launch.
In 2020, Musk claimed he wants Tesla’s energy business to expand from less than 10 percent of the company to 50 percent. Evidence suggests, however, that Tesla’s solar installs remain relatively limited.
Tesla’s solar deployments — which include its retrofit solar panels and the Solar Roof — in the fourth quarter of 2021 were effectively the same as the fourth quarter of 2020.
Tesla remains the second-largest residential solar installer in the U.S., behind first-placed Sunrun. Tesla’s 2021 total of 345 megawatts was an impressive 68 percent improvement over the previous year, but solar panel supplier Sunrun installed 792 megawatts of capacity that same year. Wood Mackenzie claims Sunrun accounts for 13 percent of the total residential solar market.
A chart depicting Tesla’s solar deployments over the past year.
In April 2021, Tesla announced plans to raise roof based on a given installation’s complexity. Musk admitted the company made “significant mistakes” in assessing how hard it would be to install certain roofs in an earnings call that month.
Musk’s long-term vision for the future is one where it’s “odd” for a roof not to collect energy to power the building within.
But how does an early adopter feel about Tesla’s roof? We asked.
Tesla Solar Roof: How it all came together
In January 2021, Nochta switched on his new roof. His 1,175-square-foot roof has enough solar-harvesting tiles to generate 7.6 kilowatts of power. The Tesla Solar Roof uses a mix of solar tiles and dummy tiles; the latter used at the edge of the installation to enable teams to more easily cut edge tiles down to size and fit the roof seamlessly to the house.
Nochta first installed solar panels on his house in 2016, supplied by SolarCity. SolarCity merged with Tesla later that year.
The first installation was less than three kilowatts — not much energy, which meant the couple was using slightly more than they produced. But as the household grew to add children and parents, Nochta discovered it was surprisingly difficult to expand the existing solar panel system to add more capacity. The new panels would have to work as part of a dual system, with two inverters feeding into the house.
These inverters are vital for getting solar power into the home. As Energy.gov explains, they convert the panels’ direct current electricity — with a single voltage in one direction — into the alternating current used in homes where the voltage moves between positive and negative.
Nochta had “a couple of friends that do roofs” and they estimated it would cost 8,000 to 10,000 to replace the roof. Including new solar panels would cost another 10,000 to 15,000.
When Inverse checked Tesla’s retrofit solar panel website, these estimates seemed accurate. For a home in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, Tesla charges:
- 10,128 for a 4.8-kilowatt solar panel installation
- 20,256 for a 9.6-kilowatt installation
- 11,000 for one Powerwall battery
A 9.6-kilowatt installation with a battery would come to 31,256 total. Still, Tesla’s website notes that customers could benefit from a 6,205 Federal Tax Credit, plus a 7,392 Solar Renewable Energy Credit that could bring the total cost down to as low as 17,659.
That figure was close to the amount Nochta had already guessed he would spend on a new roof — so he took the plunge.
“At that point, it’s just, don’t do it, just get a Solar Roof done,” Nochta says.
Nochta’s project came to 42,000, including 14,500 for battery storage. It may have been cheaper for Nochta to get a new roof and solar panels — but he’s satisfied with the final installation and doesn’t regret the purchase.
See a video of Nochta’s installation below:
Nochta is one of a slowly growing number of happy Solar Roof owners. Inverse also spoke with:
- Amanda Tobler in California, who was an early adopter back in January 2018 with her 9.85-kilowatt roof
- Jason Lassen in Wisconsin, whose 15.9-kilowatt roof braved the cold weather in early 2021
- Tony Cho in Florida, whose giant 44-kilowatt installation went viral in December 2021
- Richard and Beth Parrish’s California project in March 2022, which powered two Tesla electric vehicles
How to get Tesla’s Solar Roof
Nochta ordered his roof in July 2020, months after Musk announced new third-generation tiles that would enable faster installations. But Nochta says he also did “a lot of research” to try and move the project along.
“I was an asshole, I’ll tell you that!” he says. “I think the people hate me at Tesla.”
Nochta organized the permits for building the roof himself. He contacted people to get the correct permissions, chased up the utility company to get approval, and stayed home to ensure every inspection went smoothly. A previous contact from the utility company, who had helped with his 2016 installation, pitched in again to support Nochta’s mission.
The people at Tesla may hate him, but Nochta says a “super nice” employee from Tesla Solar also contacted him to see if he could help them get the project off the ground faster.
Nochta’s install midway through.
The installation process took place over a couple of weeks in late 2020. It didn’t start well: Nochta had planned to remove the skylight from his roof. But the installer’s plans retained the feature. The mistake would have reduced Nochta’s Solar Roof down to 7.07 kilowatts.
“I would advise every single person to stay home on the first day and look at the plans of the installer,” he says.
But by November 2020, the roof was fully installed. After another month of waiting for final approval from the utility company, Nochta switched on the roof in January 2021.
Tomas Nochta’s roof fully completed.
Nochta says his roof has produced 8,148 kilowatt-hours of energy in his first year of usage — more than enough to cover the family’s energy usage, even with an electric vehicle.
But he still has to pay a 5 per month connection fee to keep his home on the grid, however — just in case.
“Our main reasons were to go green and use the Sun to produce our own electricity,” Nochta says. Objective achieved.
Nochta’s reality is fast becoming other Americans’ dreams. In a Pew Research report, 65 percent of U.S. adults in 2017 said the most important priority for addressing the country’s energy supply should be developing alternatives to coal, oil, and gas — like wind and solar. This was ranked above expanding production of existing sources like coal and gas.
In 2020, that figure had jumped from 65 percent to 79 percent of Americans who believe solar and wind — and other green alternatives — are the priority.
Musk said in 2019 that the goal of the Solar Roof was to “make roofs come alive.” With the surging interest in renewables, that vision might finally be just around the corner.
HORIZONS is an Inverse newsletter on the innovations of today that will shape the world of tomorrow. Forecast the future by signing up for free.