What is the Tesla Powerwall?
The Tesla Powerwall is a solar storage battery that allows you to maintain a sustained power supply during the day or night. This battery energy storage system allows you can to store the extra electricity generated by your panels to use as backup in the event of a power outage or when your panels aren’t actively converting the energy into electricity. With the ability to work with or without solar, the Powerwall allows you to store energy for later use.
Benefits of a Tesla Powerwall
This seamless, reliable backup energy source powers your home 24/7 when the power grid goes down. Tesla Powerwall is one hundred times faster than most generators; it instantly detects an outage, disconnects from the grid, and reestablishes power all within a fraction of a second. At this incredible speed, essential devices – including most kitchen appliances – can continue running without interruption.
If electricity prices in your municipality fluctuate throughout the day, expect to benefit from cost savings with Powerwall’s time-based control (or load shifting). This feature allows users to pick and choose when to draw electricity from the grid. As a result, it is possible to tap into the grid during low-demand periods when the cost of electricity is less than that of peak hours.
With benefits like reliable power and fully customizable settings, pairing Powerwall with your solar energy system is sure to bring you peace of mind.
How does a Tesla Powerwall work with solar?
Powerwall integrates with solar to store any excess energy generated during the day and makes it available when you need it, minimizing your reliance on your utility. Each Powerwall system has at least one Powerwall and a Tesla Gateway, which monitors energy, metering, and management for the system. It’s also equipped with a Backup Gateway that receives over-the-air updates.
Solar panels convert the sun’s rays into electricity, supplying renewable energy to your home throughout the day and charging your Powerwall. Powerwall is charged by solar during the day, when the solar panels are producing more electricity than the home is using. Powerwall then stores that energy until it’s needed, like at night or when the utility grid is offline during a power outage. Each day, solar recharges the Powerwall, giving you a fresh cycle of clean, renewable energy.
Monitor Your Energy Storage with the Tesla App
Meet your energy goals by fully monitoring and customizing your Powerwall settings with the Tesla App. The app offers several control modes such as Time-Based Control, Energy Exports, and Self-Powered, allowing you to dictate how your Powerwall is charged and discharged.
Energy Exports is a feature authorizing energy to be exported back to the grid during times of peak demand and cost, earning you credits from your utility.
The Tesla App also enables Backup Reserve, a feature allowing you to set a specific power allocation should an outage occur.
Each of these settings is easily programmed in five steps or less via the Tesla App.
How does Tesla Powerwall combat power outages?
Powerwall can provide days of continuous power during an outage when managed efficiently. When the grid goes offline, solar energy will continue to power your home and charge your Powerwall. Without Powerwall, solar will shut down during an outage. Powerwall is self-powered, meaning you can depend on Powerwall and solar to meet all your home’s energy needs, day or night.
Tesla’s Powerwall detects grid outages and automatically becomes your home’s main energy source. With Powerwall, you can protect your home from the next power outage and keep your lights on, phones charged, and refrigerators running without skipping a beat.
How Much Power Can a Tesla Powerwall Store?
The storage capacity of a Tesla Powerwall is 13.5kWh. Under normal circumstances, a typical home in the United States uses roughly 30kWh per day. If, during a blackout, you limit use to necessary items like lights, refrigerator, internet, and phone, expect Powerwall to sustain power to your home for roughly 24 hours.
Where Will a Tesla Powerwall Be Installed?
The Tesla Powerwall is connected directly to your home’s main electric panel and can be wall-mounted or floor-mounted. Designed to operate within a broad temperature range, Powerwall can connect to your home’s main electrical panel. At SUNation Energy, we’ve installed Tesla Powerwall’s in locations that are convenient for each homeowner including garages, laundry rooms, and utility closets.
Tesla Powerwall Specifications
Energy Capacity
13.5 kWh*
Backup Power
20 kW Maximum solar STC input
5 kW maximum continuous charge power
Start Seamless backup transition
Dimensions (LxWxD)
43.25 in x 24 in x 7.6 in
Weight
287 lbs
Installation
Floor or wall mounted
Indoor or outdoor
Up to 10 Powerwalls
-40°F to 122°F
Water and dust resistance
Certifications
Meets US and International safety and EMI standards
Warranty
10 years
