What Is A Tesla Powerwall?

Battery Storage Units

Tesla's Powerwall refers to a lithium-ion rechargeable battery manufactured by Tesla Energy. It stores power for solar self-consumption and provides backup power even if the power grid goes down. Tesla introduced the battery in 2015, but the production was limited.

However, in 2017 the company began mass production. There are hundreds of thousands of these batteries being produced in modern times. Tesla energy also makes large battery energy storage gadgets such as the Tesla Powerpack that are designed for use by businesses.

There is also the Tesla Megapack used for electrical grid use. Tesla Powerwall is one of the most sought-after solar batteries to use in your home. Continue reading this article to learn more about the Tesla Powerwall.

How Does The Tesla Powerwall Work?

As stated above, the Tesla Powerwall is a lithium-ion battery that helps store solar energy produced by Tesla solar panels. However, it is also possible to recharge the solar batteries with any source of electricity to use as a backup when there is a power outage. It's also possible to connect up to ten Powerwall units in a Powerwall system, including both traditional Powerwall's and the Powerwall+.

This makes these batteries viable for both medium-sized and small businesses and your home. Nowadays, you can buy either the Tesla Powerwall 2 or Powerwall+ as Powerwall 1 was discontinued in 2016, with the later versions being more efficient. The new Tesla Powerwall has the capacity to store 13.5 kilowatt-hours of power, while the Powerwall 1 only could produce 6.4 kWh.

The new versions also have a higher power output, meaning they can provide power for several devices all at once. The Powerwall+ and Powerwall 2 have equal storage capacity. But, Powerwall+ features an inverter for faster and easier integration with solar panels. Powerwall+ also provides more kilowatts when the solar panels get full sunlight. It also offers similar output regardless of solar production. Here is a summary of the production.

• In the past, Powerwall 2 provided 5kW of constant power and 7kW of peak power.
• Powerwall+ and the newer versions of the Powerwall 2 generate 5.8 kW of continuous power and 10 kW of peak power.
• Powerwall+ can go up to 7.6 kW of constant power and 22kW of peak power when the panels are under full sunshine.

The role of solar inverters

Suppose you have a solar energy system in your home featuring its inverter. In that case, you should opt for Powerwall 2 to allow the addition of energy without making any changes to your system. It's easier to install a Powerwall+ unit with the latest solar panels, so you don't have to add solar inverters.

All solar batteries store direct current (DC), and the panels usually generate DC power. However, some of your home appliances usually use alternating current or AC. This is the reason why rectifiers and inverters are necessary. When solar panels produce the direct current, it goes through an inverter where conversion to AC occurs and flows through your house.

With a backup power system, excess energy not used at home flows to charge the battery. It runs through a rectifier to be converted back to direct power for battery storage. Powerwall+ and Powerwall 2 feature an internal rectifier and inverter for electricity conversion between AC and DC. Both can charge from the utility grid when your solar panels are not generating electricity.

Orientation of the sun

The energy that is stored in a Tesla Powerwall can be utilised at any time. However, there are particular times of the day when the electricity stored is more beneficial. For instance, many providers usually charge high tariffs after sunset when your home utilises more power.

You maximise your power savings if you pull from your Powerwall other than the grid. However, this is dependent on the time of day. The solar panels required to charge the Tesla Powerwall depend on the amount of sun you receive and the particular model.

It's good to note that Powerwall usually has 90 per cent round trip efficiency as its charges and discharges. Therefore, in order to receive the usable capacity of 13.5 kWh, you should have 15 kWh available for your panels. If you have a solar system with about 330 to 360 watts, you require ten to fourteen solar panels to produce 15 kWh of usable energy daily.

Note that your home also utilises solar electricity during the daytime as the Powerwall charges. As a result, you need to have enough panels for your daytime consumption and to charge the battery.

Tesla Powerwall Specifications

One of the reasons why the Tesla Powerwall is popular among many users is its high-quality specifications. It has the best power output and storage capacity. The batteries use lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li-NMC) chemistry. With Li-NMC technology, lithium-ion batteries have high power and storage capacity that match their size. Here is a list of the significant Tesla Powerwall 2 specifications.

• 13.5 kWh power storage capacity
• Weighs: 114Kgs/ 251.3 pounds
• It comes with a ten-year warranty
• Operates at -20°C to 50°C temperature range
• 10kW peak power
• 5.8kW continuous power

With the Powerwall+ connected to your solar panels or roof shingles, you can enjoy higher output with full sunlight. The Powerwall+ is also heavier and bigger than the other units since it features a solar inverter. Here is a list of the Powerwall+ specifications:

• Weighs: 156Kgs/ 343.9 pounds
• 22 kW peak power with the sun
• 13.5 kWh energy storage capacity
• 7.6 kW continuous power with full sun
• Dimensions: 160 cm x 75 cm x 16 cm/ 62.8 in x 29.7 in x 6.3 in
• 5.8kW continuous power without sun
• Operates at a temperature ranging from -20°C to 50°C
• Warranty: ten years

The Powerwall+ features a solar inverter with 97.5 per cent efficiency and four MPPT or Maximum Power Point Tracker circuits. As a result, you can group the solar panels using up to four different orientations. Moreover, you can connect each group to a different MPPT circuit to maximise power production.

Tesla Powerwall Cost

One of the things to note when it comes to a Tesla Powerwall is that it costs more than most other home battery systems. However, the high price is worth your money since you enjoy high power output and storage capacity. The price is determined by the number of units you want to buy.

You can buy it directly from Tesla or other solar installers in Australia. You also need to understand that your provider also determines the price. If you are not buying from Tesla, you need to conduct thorough market research to get a provider offering the Powerwall at the most affordable price.

Depending on your area, you might get some financial incentives and solar tax exemptions from your energy company or the government. Before installing the Tesla Powerwall, it is advisable to check for all the available incentives and whether you are eligible.

Tesla Powerwall FAQs

What is the Tesla Powerwall made of?

The battery is made of lithium NMC, i.e., Nickel, Magnesium, and Cobalt. This is the cell chemistry that Tesla also applies in their cars. It's perfect for battery density, which means storing a lot of energy in a smaller space. The battery is also made so that it charges and discharges fast.

Can you use Tesla Powerwall to power a large home?

The Tesla Powerwall can provide energy for your home overnight or when you experience a short-term blackout. However, you get a better return on your investment when you stay connected to the power grid. On-grid Powerwall with panels can minimise your electricity bills, covering a significant fraction of your consumption during the night and day. If you want to go off-grid, you need more than one Tesla Powerwall to constantly provide energy to your home when there is no sunshine.

How many years does the Tesla Powerwall last?

These battery systems come with a ten-year warranty that ensures that the battery can keep at least 70 per cent of its specified storage capacity. If you use the battery for solar self-consumption and backup, the warranty does not have a cycle limit during this warranty period. When you use the Powerwall for other uses beyond the solar self-consumption and backup, the warranty will cover the battery for 37.8 megawatts-hours. This means that the warranty will end when the battery stores and provides 37,800 kWh.

How does the Tesla Powerwall help one save money?

A stand-alone Tesla Powerwall will help you save a lot of money if your electricity provider charges a time of use price. You can charge it when the cost of grid electricity is low and then use it when the cost of grid electricity is high. If your power provider has demand charges, it's advisable to use the battery to reduce the peak demand measured by the power matter. This gets reflected as a lower demand charge on your energy bill.

If you have a Powerwall with roof shingle or solar panels, you can enjoy more savings because it charges using solar power. You can store the energy in the Powerwall instead of exporting the excess energy to the grid and use it when the value goes high. It is also advisable to use the Powerwall to minimise the demand charges and avoid the peak tariffs.

What is time-based control in Tesla Powerwall?

This is an excellent technology built into the Tesla Powerwall. Time-based control usually learns and predicts the energy costs during any specified period. It decides when to charge and also discharge to leverage the savings.

Is Tesla Powerwall Worth Your Money?

Buying a Tesla Powerwall is an excellent investment for your home energy needs. Here are the many benefits you get.

You get to enjoy power overnight

The most significant benefit of investing in the Tesla Powerwall is that it generates electricity without utilising energy from your energy provider. It is worth noting that solar panels produce more electricity than your home can consume during the day when there is sunshine. The Powerwall makes it possible for you to have enough energy reserve to provide the required energy to your home overnight and use in the future. It does not allow any clean power to go to waste.

Even if your panels offer you financial benefits with your power company via net metering, the solar power generated by your solar panels is much more valuable when stored for later use than when you export it to your power company for credit. The only option that makes it possible to keep all the energy produced is using a backup battery system such as the Tesla Powerwall.

Helps you avoid increasing electricity costs

Power companies increase their prices at particular times, and the energy bills are constantly rising. The Tesla Powerwall allows you to avoid these high prices and the peak costs. If your utility's electricity costs fluctuate all through the day, Powerwall can charge whenever the costs are low and discharge when the costs are high.

This results in automatic savings. Even when your solar panels are not generating energy, your property will still run on the energy stored in the Powerwall.

Allows you to evaluate your energy usage

Every Powerwall installation features a full energy monitoring solution for your home. This makes it simpler for you to find out how your home generates and uses energy at a particular time. You can install the Tesla app, which makes it easy to monitor your entire home energy use at the right time.

Provides proper protection for your home

Another great benefit you get with the Tesla Powerwall is that it allows you to give your home the proper protection in the event of a disaster. For instance, when there are storms, the Powerwall keeps your home well powered. In addition, your Powerwall can communicate with your National Weather Service. Therefore, you can enable the Storm Watch feature to allow the Powerwall to charge in anticipation of more severe weather. This makes it snap within a few seconds from any outage on the grid.

Boosts your home's value

Solar batteries help increase the overall value of your home. They are viewed as great investments that ensure that your home has power even when there is a power outage. In addition, they also help save on energy costs which also boosts your home's value.

Therefore, if you plan to sell your home, potential buyers will consider all these factors and find it worth paying a high price for your home. They will assess your home as more energy sufficient and as one that will allow them to enjoy costs savings.

More eco-friendly

There is a global concern about the health of our environment. There are many initiatives toward enhancing environmental safety. The use of solar panels to manufacture energy is being advocated for because solar energy is clean and pure.

Investing in Tesla Powerwall is one of the ways to reduce your carbon footprint. It helps eliminate the use of fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and other forms of environmental pollution.

Factors Before Investing In Tesla Powerwall

It is essential to ensure that you get the correct battery to get all the above benefits. Note that adding the battery adds to the initial cost of your solar energy system. Here are a few considerations you should make in the process.

Evaluate your home energy requirements and goals

It is good to think about why you want to invest in solar energy in your home. Some of the significant reasons you might want to use solar energy include saving money, reducing your carbon footprint, and enjoying constant energy even when there are disasters or blackouts.

Consider the price and the incentives

The initial cost of the Powerwall is high. But, to understand the actual price, it is essential to consider all the other factors such as installation, equipment, permits, incentives provided, and others. By doing this, you can understand the amount you spend in the process. The valuation helps you to make a more informed decision on whether the purchase is worth it.

The Tesla App

Another great thing that makes the Tesla Powerwall popular among homeowners is the app's integration. The Tesla app allows you to understand your power use and offer live consumption information. With the app, you can easily control and monitor your energy usage from the palm of your hand. You will be able to see what your solar panels are generating, the amount of energy your home is drawing, and the energy source. This makes energy management in your home easy.

Tesla Powerwall Installation

One great thing about the Powerwall is that there are no stringent guidelines on how to install them. You can have it installed anywhere, depending on the simple guidelines provided. It can handle several weather elements such as rain or wind. However, it is good to ensure that you don't install it in direct sun, so provide enough shade.

Ensure that you employ the services of a professional installer as they have the skills and knowledge on how the process should be done. The amount of time it takes for the installation to be completed depends on the complexity of the process. Installation of the battery and gateway close to the metre box takes lesser time than when installing the battery far from the metre box.

The time it takes depends on battery positioning, cable run, and your house's complexity. In most cases, the installation in your home will take about four to six hours. Essentially you can install several batteries if one is not enough. If you have several Tesla Powerwall units, make sure they are stacked or installed in a parallel formation.

Installing several Powerwall units improves your battery capacity and output. This allows more load support, making it an excellent investment for your home energy needs.

Contact Solar Providers For A Tesla Powerwall

The Tesla Powerwall is an excellent battery storage system for your home or business. It is worth investing in to ensure that you don't get inconveniences when there are blackouts. With the Powerwall, you have peace of mind as you are guaranteed that you will have power at all times.

This article has provided you with some of the most important things to know about the Tesla Powerwall, so you can now decide whether it is worth investing in it. To get the best Tesla Powerwall for your home, you need to work with the best solar system providers in your area.

They will help you get the best battery and help you in the installation process. The best solar battery providers also sell this battery with the maximum warranty since they are sure they sell genuine and high-quality batteries.