What Is Tesla Powerwall?
Tesla Powerwall is an energy storage system, or in layman’s terms a really big battery.
Currently, your solar system is generating power during the day, what you don’t consume gets sent back into the grid.
Rather than sending the power back into the grid, once you install a battery storage system like a Powerwall, the battery system will capture the energy and store it.
The battery system will then kick in when the consumption of the home is greater than the generation of the solar system, which is usually at night. That means instead of drawing from the grid you can use your very own clean, green energy that you have generated during the day.
Tesla Powerwall has gained popularity over the years in Australia because the uptake of solar is so high and Australians love increasing their homes autonomy and being less reliant on the grid.
Another great aspect of Tesla Powerwall is that it is an AC coupled battery. This means it can be easily retrofitted to any existing solar system.
Have Tesla Solar & Powerwalls? Watch this BEFORE you lose power
It can even be fitted to a home without solar!
What Is The Capacity Of Tesla Powerwall?
Tesla Powerwall is a 14kWh battery with 13.5kWh of usable energy storage. This is certainly enough to cover the energy load of an average Australian residential property overnight. To put it into context your average home in somewhere like Sydney consumes around 20 kWh of power throughout the course of a whole day.
Does Tesla Powerwall Include Blackout Protection?
One of the most commonly asked questions from customers who are investigating Tesla Powerwall is the backup functionality. We completely understand, it’s such an important question to ask when looking at battery storage.
Not only are blackouts frustrating but they can also be damaging, you can lose everything in the fridge, it can stop you in your tracks if you’re someone who is working from home and for those with electric gates or garages which are heavy, it can be very difficult to leave in an emergency.
Tesla Powerwall will kick in when the grid goes down, providing full home back up or back across selected circuits.
Another amazing feature is the ability to set a minimum power reserve to ensure that the moment you do have a blackout, there is enough energy stored of your choice to power what’s needed. What a great feature.
If you have a very large home you can also stack multiple Powerwall’s to increase the backup and storage capacity
The blackout protection is a seriously major selling point of Tesla Powerwall, with a lot of upside and literally no downside, protecting you and your family against blackouts.
What Is The Warranty On Powerwall?
There are a few layers to the warranty of Powerwall. The breakdown of the warranty is in a table on the warranty document.
The first part of the warranty states if you are using Powerwall for solar self-consumption, time-based control, and backup the battery will maintain 70% of its capacity following the initial installation date, for unlimited cycles across a 10-year warranty period.
Basically, if you are using your Tesla Powerwall in a pretty standard setting then the warranty will cover you for 10 years and guarantee 70% usable capacity relative to the 13.5kWh output from day 1 for unlimited cycles.
Where it can get slightly confusing is the next section. It talks about if you use Tesla Powerwall for what they consider to be “any other application or combination of applications” the warranty will change a little bit. They will still guarantee 70% at the end of the 10 year warranty period but it will have a 37.8MWh aggregate throughput cap.
The aggregate throughput cap just limits the warranty period so you can’t pump through cycles all day every day and still get the same warranty. It would be like giving a taxi driver the same unlimited km warranty on a car that will do exponentially more kms than your average Joe.
Let’s Take The House Size
A 5000 square foot house can be occupied by a couple who consumes 1500 kWh per month. Similarly, a smaller 1800 square foot house can be occupied by a large family, which consumes 3000 kWh per month. That is to say, a 3 times smaller house can consume 2 times more energy. It follows that calculating energy needs based on only one factor, such as house size is misleading.
You can either go to an essential, partial or whole home backup system when you buy backup batteries. We will look through them only by one.
Essential Home Backup System
There is a power outage, the grid has stopped running and you need support for a few of your everyday appliances. Now let’s take the example of an average home that consumes 2200 kWh, almost equal to 75kWh per day. A family of four will need 1 battery for such essential loads as TV, basic house lights, fridge, microwave and other 120V appliances. For such a family, 1 Tesla powerwall, which provides 13.5 kWh per day, will supply electricity for 4-6 hours during an outage or when the electricity is on-peak.
Partial Home Backup System with 2 Batteries
Now let’s expand the homeowner’s energy needs from basic to average. If besides essential loads, the family also wants to turn on AC they will need 2 Tesla powerwalls. These 2 batteries will back up essential loads and other major appliances such as a compatible air conditioner, electric range, compatible well pump and Tesla EV charging.
With the Tesla Powerwall app, you can configure the settings to “go off-grid” to simulate the off-grid experience and understand if your powerwalls will back up your daily loads or not. Depending on your house size and daily energy consumption, even two batteries may be enough for the whole backup system.
Let’s take the same example of a 2600 ft square house where a family consumes moderate energy and does not overload the appliances. With such average energy needs, they can do whole house backup with 2 Tesla Powerwalls. They will be enough for such essential and non-essential loads like microwave, outdoor spa, AC, dishwasher, indoor lighting, EV charger and all other major appliances. To sum up, two Tesla Powerwalls can provide both partial and whole home backups based on the abovementioned factors.
Tesla Gears Up to Launch Powerwall 3: A Sleeker, Efficient Home Battery
Tesla is reportedly preparing to launch the third generation of its home battery pack, Powerwall 3, according to information obtained by Electrek. Since introducing the first Powerwall in 2015, Tesla’s residential energy storage systems have become an integral part of the company’s energy division, with each subsequent iteration improving upon its predecessor.
Tesla‘s Certification Process for Powerwall 3
Electrek reports that Tesla has applied for certification with some electric utilities for Powerwall 3, indicating that the launch may be imminent. Though the specifications and features of the new product are not yet available, last year’s internal meeting at Tesla highlighted three main upgrades: easier installations, better aesthetics, and higher performance.
The upcoming Powerwall 3 is expected to maintain the same 13.5kWh energy capacity as the current Powerwall 2. However, the new unit will boast a higher peak backup power of 15.4kW compared to the 10kW offered by its predecessor, according to Drive Tesla Canada. One of the most significant changes to the new battery pack is the switch from lithium NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) cells to Prismatic LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells, which will make Powerwall 3 cheaper to produce.
What to Expect: Upgrades in Design, Performance, and Installation
Regarding design, Powerwall 3 resembles the current Powerwall 2 but with a smaller form factor. The new unit will be approximately 5 inches shorter and 25% narrower than its predecessor. Made of die-cast aluminum, Powerwall 3 will utilize weld sealing rather than adhesive sealing for its enclosure. While the exact dimensions and visuals are not yet available, the changes suggest a more refined and sleek appearance for the Powerwall 3.
Tesla has not yet announced pricing for the new product, but its launch is expected to occur soon, given that some electric utilities have already certified Powerwall 3. The current Powerwall 2 sells for 9,200 for a single unit, 17,200 for two units, and 25,200 for three units. Tesla recently resumed accepting orders for Powerwall without requiring a simultaneous solar purchase.
With these anticipated design, performance, and installation upgrades, Powerwall 3 is set to reaffirm Tesla’s dominance in the residential energy storage market. As the company continues to innovate and evolve its products, customers can look forward to even more efficient and user-friendly energy solutions.
Does Tesla Offer Good Solar Panel Warranties?
Tesla’s solar warranties are comparable to those of competitors, even though the language surrounding the warranty is vague and somewhat confusing. From the limited information available, we can determine that all Tesla solar panels come with a 25-year performance guarantee.
This guarantee ensures your solar setup will produce at least 80% of its original capacity at the warranty’s end. In addition, the panels come with a comprehensive 10-year warranty, covering all of the solar system’s components, including batteries and solar inverters, and roof-mounting problems and roof leaks. While a few leading providers offer slightly longer comprehensive warranties, this length is relatively standard in the industry.
Tesla solar panels can outlast their 10-year warranty or even their 25-year performance guarantee. The exact lifespan of your system hinges on factors specific to your situation, including your local climate, energy demands, and usage.
How Can You Get Tesla Solar Panels Installed?
Tesla’s panels are widely available, with service in all 50 states. If you want a Tesla solar setup for your home, your first step is to contact Tesla. The company handles the entire solar panel installation, from initial design to activation.
Here’s what you can expect from the installation process:
- Assessment: The process starts with an initial assessment to iron out details about your home. Tesla uses aerial technology to survey your roof, measuring the area and slope remotely.
- Design: After assessing your home, Tesla uses the collected data to design a system specifically for your home and energy needs.
- Permitting: This step is a crucial part of the installation process and can take a couple of weeks, as Tesla will work with local authorities to gather necessary permits and paperwork.
- Installation: You’ll need to schedule an installation date with Tesla and be present during the installation for at least the first hour. Tesla claims it can complete an installation in just one day, so the team (either Tesla or a third-party solar installer the company arranges, depending on your area) will wrap up the installation by the day’s close.
- Inspection: After the installation is complete, Tesla will work with local building authorities to arrange and complete an inspection. This inspection ensures the system is installed to code and meets all safety regulations.
- Activation: Once your solar setup passes inspection, Tesla will complete the necessary paperwork with your local government. At this point, Tesla receives a permission to operate (PTO) notice for your system, and it’s time to activate it. This part of the process can take up to six weeks, so do your best to be patient.
Tesla Powerwall in 2023: worth it?
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What Are Customers Saying About Tesla Solar Panels?
Tesla has a mixture of positive and negative customer reviews across various sites, including on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile, where it maintains an A rating. Mixed reviews on solar providers aren’t unusual, as many customers only review a product if they have a negative experience, so it’s important to keep this in mind as you sift through reviews.
That said, it’s still essential to consider customer complaints carefully, as they can provide valuable insight into your potential experience with the company.
Happy Tesla customers report satisfaction with prompt installations, beautiful panel aesthetics, and outstanding savings with the price match guarantee. Conversely, dissatisfied customers cite issues with lengthy wait times for installation and difficulty reaching customer service.
These reviews are comparable to those for other leading manufacturers and solar installation companies, as nearly every manufacturer has at least a few negative reviews mixed in with positive feedback. However, Tesla stands out for a common theme of lengthy wait times across the board, which is something to consider as you weigh your options. That said, Tesla has more positive reviews than negative ones.
How Does Tesla Compare to Other Solar Panel Manufacturers?
Tesla holds its own compared to other panel manufacturers, although it has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, Tesla solar panels are considerably more affordable than other options on the market, like SunPower panels. The price-match guarantee, which is fairly uncommon in the industry, helps ensure you get the best price for your solar panel system.
In addition, Tesla’s panels feature an aesthetically pleasing design with a low profile, skirted edges, an all-black layout, and no visible grid lines. While several solar panel manufacturers are moving toward more modern looks, Tesla only offers sleek, clean designs, making it an excellent pick for homeowners who don’t want to compromise their home’s aesthetics.
However, Tesla falls short when considering efficiency, as these panels aren’t quite as efficient as others. For example, SunPower has the most efficient solar panels with 22.8% efficiency ratings. Tesla’s most efficient panel features an efficiency rate of just 20.9%. While this rating isn’t drastically lower than the top ratings, it falls short of many industry-leading efficiency ratings.