Tesla Powerwall Review: Well-Rounded Solar Batteries

7.0

Tesla Powerwall 2

Like

• 
  Limitless cycle guarantee
• 
  Nicely-rounded efficiency and effectivity
• 
  Suitable with and with out photo voltaic panels

Don’t love

• 
  Not as modular as different batteries
• 
  Glitchy power administration app
• 
  Dangerous customer support repute

Electricity rates are rising, and a few states are decreasing how a lot owners with solar panels get compensated for promoting their extra power to the ability grid. Should you face frequent power outages, concern increased energy payments or wish to use your extra solar energy, you may wish to think about a house battery backup. Throughout your solar battery search, you will almost certainly encounter the Tesla Powerwall.

Tesla, principally identified for its electrical automobiles, has made a reputation for itself within the photo voltaic business too, since buying SolarCity in 2016. Tesla launched the primary Powerwall mannequin in 2015, however did not begin mass manufacturing of the battery till 2017. The present Tesla Powerwall mannequin available on the market is definitely the Powerwall 2, which has been round for just a few years. Tesla just lately introduced the Powerwall 3, which will probably be accessible to prospects someday in 2024. We’ll focus on additional particulars under.   

The Powerwall batteries are attention-grabbing as a result of they’re simply so common, and surprisingly sufficient, we imply that in a great way. These batteries are on par with their competitors in nearly each manner. There are just a few stand-outs: unlimited-cycle warranty, capability, stackability, well-rounded specs and a few attention-grabbing app options are noteworthy. However basically, the Powerwall would not stand out from the battery crowd an excessive amount of. Nor does it have any specific evident weaknesses. 

This evaluation focuses on the Tesla Powerwall 2 and relies on specs and data offered by Tesla on-line. Tesla doesn’t have a media relations division, however they do have a basic press electronic mail. After emailing this contact, we obtained no response.

What do I get with a Tesla Powerwall battery?

Tesla Powerwall batteries are among the most well-rounded lithium-ion batteries accessible. In our evaluation of solar batteries, the Powerwall 2 mannequin obtained no less than a mean score in nearly each class. It is a good worth battery choice as a result of it tends to be a bit cheaper than its rivals. 

Tesla has three Powerwall fashions: the Tesla Powerwall, Tesla Powerwall Plus and the just lately introduced Tesla Powerwall 3. The Powerwall and Powerwall Plus batteries are fairly just like each other — the distinction is how they work together with your property’s power system. The Powerwall is suitable with new and present solar panel systems. It might probably additionally work as a stand-alone house battery with out photo voltaic panels. Alternatively, the Powerwall Plus battery is built-in with a Tesla Solar Inverter and should be put in with photo voltaic panels. Each Tesla batteries may be put in with different manufacturers of photo voltaic panels. You do not want Tesla solar panels to put in a Powerwall.

Tesla has but to launch a spec sheet for its Powerwall 3 mannequin, so we do not know all the small print but. However we do know that the Powerwall 3 has the identical storage capability as the opposite Powerwall batteries, and it is twice as highly effective too.

Like:

• Massive storage capability
• Suitable with and with out photo voltaic panels
• Nicely-rounded specs 
• Wonderful guarantee

Don’t love:

Like:

• Massive storage capability
• Built-in photo voltaic inverter
• Larger backup (off-grid) energy output 
• Wonderful guarantee

Don’t love:

• Decrease on-grid energy output (similar as Powerwall 2)
• Should be put in with photo voltaic panels

Like:

• Massive storage capability
• Very excessive energy output

Don’t love:

• Cannot be put in with Powerwall 2 or Powerwall Plus batteries
• Restricted guarantee and spec particulars at present

Capability and modularity

All three Tesla batteries have a 13.5 kilowatt-hour power capability, an honest dimension for a house battery backup. Nevertheless, in case you have a bigger house (or plan on going off-grid), you will possible want a number of Powerwalls. One Tesla Powerwall battery is right for partial house backup, whereas whole-home backup will possible require two or extra Powerwalls. You possibly can set up as much as 10 Powerwall 2 items or Powerwall Plus items for a complete of 135 kWh of power storage. Each battery fashions may be blended. Nevertheless, the Powerwall 3 will not be suitable with the Powerwall 2 and Powerwall Plus fashions. 

Tesla Powerwall batteries aren’t as modular as different batteries available on the market, making dimension upgrades tough (and costly). If you end up needing a capability improve, you will have to purchase one other 13.5 kWh battery. 

Efficiency and effectivity

Effectivity-wise, the Powerwall 2 is about common for the batteries we examined. The Powerwall 2’s round-trip effectivity is 90%, which means 10% of the electrical energy will get misplaced on its technique to the battery for storage. A round-trip effectivity of 90% (or increased) is commonplace for lithium-ion batteries. The Powerwall Plus additionally has a round-trip effectivity of 90%.

The Tesla Powerwall 2’s depth of discharge (how a lot of the battery you need to use directly with out damaging it) is the perfect it may be: 100%. However simply because you’ll be able to drain nearly all of your battery suddenly does not imply you need to. One of many fundamental components affecting a battery’s lifespan is the variety of cycles it goes via. A battery cycle is the method of discharging (emptying) your battery after which recharging it. In different phrases, the less instances you totally cycle your battery, the higher. The Powerwall Plus additionally has a 100% depth of discharge score.

What about energy output? It is fantastic. One Powerwall 2 can output a peak of seven kilowatts, with a steady energy output of 5 kW. A battery’s peak energy output is the quantity of energy the battery can put out suddenly with out damaging something. Peak energy output is usually used when activating massive masses or home equipment, comparable to when your AC or warmth kicks on. Steady energy output is the quantity of energy the battery is ready to put out always. The extra Powerwalls you put in, the upper the ability output. 

The Tesla Powerwall 2 and Powerwall Plus have the identical on-grid energy output capabilities, however the Powerwall Plus has much better backup energy output capabilities, with a peak energy output score of twenty-two kW in full solar or 10 kW with no solar and a steady energy output score of 9.6 kW in full solar or 7 kW with no solar. The Tesla Powerwall 2 will also be put in to a system with a backup generator, however it’ll must be related with an exterior computerized or guide switch swap.

Learn extra: Simply searching for an emergency backup? Take a look at portable solar panels and solar generators.  

Customer support

Tesla’s on-line customer support repute will not be the perfect, and it appears simpler to search out dangerous customer support critiques than good ones. Tesla Photo voltaic will not be Higher Enterprise Bureau accredited, however anecdotal evidence suggests poor customer support and a few prospects even regretting their purchases. There are frequent complaints about impolite customer support or gross sales representatives, in addition to Tesla not following via in terms of speaking with their prospects. 

Guarantee 

Tesla’s guarantee for the Powerwall 2 and Powerwall Plus batteries stands out amongst rivals. This is what it consists of:

• 10 years
• Limitless cycles
• 70% end-of-warranty capability assure 

A ten-year guarantee is the business commonplace for solar batteries, however few include limitless cycles. The everyday battery guarantee covers 4,000 to six,000 cycles, making Tesla’s unlimited-cycle guarantee extra aggressive. The variety of instances you cycle your battery (drain and recharge it) impacts its lifespan, which is why many producers will embody a cycle or throughput clause of their guarantee. 

The Powerwall’s guarantee additionally comes with a 70% end-of-warranty capability assure. Batteries lose capability and their potential to carry a cost over time, so some producers will embody an end-of-warranty capability assure. That is the producer’s assure that your battery will be capable to retailer a selected proportion quantity of power by the point your guarantee interval is up. Tesla ensures the Powerwall will retain no less than 70% of its unique capability by the point your guarantee ends.

Tesla app

Utilizing the Tesla app, you can view and monitor your property’s power utilization, in addition to analyze and examine information about your property’s previous and present power manufacturing. Powerwall will also be personalized to assist assist your power objectives by utilizing the completely different management mode settings via the app. These settings primarily change how your battery expenses and discharges. Remember that some options and settings are solely accessible when paired with photo voltaic panels. 

You too can set a delegated proportion of your Powerwall’s capability apart to be reserved for backup energy within the occasion of grid outages. Tesla recommends setting a backup reserve of 20% when utilizing the backup reserve setting, however you’ll be able to set it to no matter you want. 

The Tesla app will not be with out its flaws. Online reviews present complaints about frequent glitches and the unreliability of the app, with some folks saying it solely appears to work half the time they use it.

Tesla Powerwall 2 vs. Tesla Powerwall Plus

There is not a lot of a distinction between the Powerwall 2 and Powerwall Plus. The Tesla Powerwall 2 is only a battery, and may be put in with or with out photo voltaic panels. The Tesla Powerwall Plus is a daily Tesla Powerwall 2 battery that has been built-in with a Tesla Photo voltaic Inverter. The Powerwall Plus is designed particularly for photo voltaic installations, whereas the common Powerwall 2 mannequin is suitable with or with out photo voltaic panels. 

Each batteries have the identical capability (13.5 kWh). Nevertheless, the Powerwall Plus has a a lot increased backup energy output score, making it a greater choice in case you are putting in a brand new system and have plans to go utterly or partially off the ability grid. Most properties will possible want a couple of Tesla battery (of any mannequin) to stay utterly off-grid. Each Tesla batteries are interchangeable, which means you’ll be able to set up a mixture of as much as 10 Powerwall 2 and Powerwall Plus batteries. 

What we all know concerning the Tesla Powerwall 3

Tesla debuted the Powerwall 3 at this yr’s RE+, a renewable power commerce present in Las Vegas. Through the week of the present, the corporate updated its website with some particulars concerning the Powerwall 3, however hasn’t launched a spec sheet but. Representatives at RE+ additionally declined to talk with CNET about it. We’d not have all the small print as of proper now, however this is what we do know.

The Tesla Powerwall 3 has an power storage capability of 13.5 kWh, the identical as the opposite Powerwall batteries. The Powerwall 3 can be over twice as highly effective as the opposite Powerwall batteries, with a steady energy output of 11.5 kW. So yeah, it is form of a powerhouse. 

Just like the Tesla Powerwall Plus, the Powerwall 3 has an built-in photo voltaic inverter, which means it may be DC-coupled for increased effectivity. Nevertheless it’s not suitable with different photo voltaic inverters. The Tesla Powerwall 3 cannot be put in with different Powerwall fashions both. So if you have already got a Tesla Powerwall 2 or Powerwall Plus battery, you will not be capable to add on the Tesla Powerwall 3.  

The Powerwall 3 comes with a 10-year guarantee, however we aren’t but positive if it’ll have the identical unlimited-cycle guarantee as the opposite Powerwall batteries. Tesla’s new battery is about to launch to the general public someday in 2024. Pricing data is unknown.

How a lot does the Tesla Powerwall value?

Dwelling battery programs aren’t low-cost. The Tesla Powerwall 2 typically prices between $9,000 to $13,000. Pricing is determined by your location and different set up and labor prices. The Powerwall 2 tends to be cheaper than related competing batteries. In relation to batteries, you’ll be able to typically count on to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per kilowatt-hour of power storage. 

To get probably the most correct pricing data, speak to a Tesla-certified installer in your space, and get a number of quotes to get the perfect value attainable. Gathering a mixture of quotes from nationwide and native installers is the best way to go. 

Is the Tesla Powerwall my best option?

The Powerwall 2 is a well-rounded battery in its capability, efficiency and effectivity. Is it an honest battery? Sure. Is it your greatest alternative? It relies upon. The most effective battery on your house is one that matches your family’s power wants and what you want to accomplish with a battery set up. Most installers supply a couple of model of battery, so discover different battery choices from installers in your space in case you can. And attempt to get a number of quotes to get the perfect value attainable. This is a take a look at how the Tesla Powerall 2 stacks up towards different well-liked photo voltaic batteries.

How we evaluated the perfect photo voltaic batteries

Not each battery is correct for each house. It is tough to pinpoint precisely which photo voltaic battery is the “greatest” battery on your house with out doing an on-site inspection. We’re unable to do hands-on testing with photo voltaic batteries due to the complexity of photo voltaic panel programs, however there are methods to judge and examine these batteries. This is how we consider photo voltaic batteries.

First, we created classes that might be used to judge the battery’s effectivity, efficiency, capability and worth. We additionally weighted every class. The burden of every class displays the significance we felt was related to the common particular person. Listed below are the classes we thought of and their weights:

• Battery modularity (stackability): 20%
• Guarantee: 20%
• Spherical-trip effectivity: 15%
• Depth of discharge: 10%
• Energy output: 10%
• Value: 10%
• Buyer critiques: 10%
• Battery capability: 5%

We checked out greater than 15 of the commonest batteries available on the market and picked up the information for every class to match the numbers. Every class (for each battery) was then given a tier-style score (from 1 to five) to see which points of every battery had been above common (amongst these on our checklist), common or under common. 

Steadily requested questions