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A buyer’s guide to the Tesla Powerwall Battery 

Are you looking for a home battery that makes it possible to store energy from solar panels or even the grid? If so, you should consider the Tesla Powerwall Battery

This battery system will not only let you store energy, it will automatically turn into your household’s energy source if the grid power goes down. The system also detects outages and will ensure that your home appliances don’t stop in case of a blackout.

Here is everything you need to know about the Tesla Powerwall Battery!

Powerwall Battery
Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable battery system and an energy storage device.

What is a Tesla Powerwall Battery?

The Tesla Powerwall Battery is a popular solar battery system designed for residential use, but it can also be used by smaller businesses. The battery will let you store power from your solar panels or the grid, and this power can be used whenever needed.

The system may easily be retrofitted for homes and business buildings with solar panels installed. However, the Tesla Powerwall battery can also be useful for those without solar systems and can be used for power backup purposes alone.

Technology 

The Tesla Powerwall is based on Lithium-ion technology and has cathodes consisting of Nickel, Cobalt, Lithium and Manganese. The unit can be cycled for as much as 5,000 times before the warranty expires.

The round-trip efficiency of the Tesla Powerwall is 92.5%, given a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a 400-450 V system of 2 kW. 

Specifications

  • Weight: 114 kg
  • Dimensions: 1150 x 753 x 147 mm
  • AC voltage: 230 V
  • Frequency of grid: 50 Hz
  • Round-trip efficiency: 90%
  • Depth of discharge: 100%
  • Real power (maximum continuous): 5 kW
  • Feed-in type: Single-phase
  • Usable amount of energy: 13.5 kWh
  • Internal DC voltage of battery: 50 V
  • Operating temperature: -20 – +50 degrees Celsius
  • Warranty length: 10 years
Powerwall Battery
Tesla software can be used for whole-system monitoring and to provide forecast-enabled storm protection in case of blackouts.

How does a Tesla Powerwall Battery work?

A Tesla Powerwall Battery will usually be installed on a wall or a floor and is typically connected to solar panels on your rooftop. The battery can be mounted outside, as the unit is both water-resistant and robust.

When the sun is shining, the unit will store clean solar energy. The energy can then be used day or night, or during a grid power outage. The battery system will recharge when the sun is shining and may offer 24/7 power outage protection and even energy independence. 

You can easily monitor the system by using the Tesla mobile app, which is supported by both Apple and Android units. 

Tesla Powerwall vs. Tesla Powerwall 2: What’s the difference?

The main difference between the Tesla Powerwall and Tesla Powerwall 2, is the inverter mechanism. With Tesla Powerwall there will be a DC-to-DC converter that is placed between the solar panels and your existing DC–AC inverter.

The upgraded version, Tesla Powerwall 2, comes with an incorporated DC-to-AC inverter designed by Tesla.

How much energy is held by a Tesla Powerwall battery?

The Tesla Powerwall battery has a battery capacity of 13.5 kWh. This energy amount will typically be enough to run a family household for a whole evening. 

If you want a larger capacity, it is possible to add more Tesla Powerwall batteries (you might stack up to 10 batteries together).

How much does a Tesla Powerwall cost?

The Tesla Powerwall battery is among the most expensive solar/backup batteries on the Australian market. However, over the past year, the price of Tesla Powerwall batteries has decreased quite a bit.

In 2017, the battery typically would cost around $9,000. The battery price peaked in 2022 at $16,230 and has begun falling in price since. Today, you can expect a hardware-only price of $12,100.

The installation cost of Tesla Powerwall 2 is usually somewhere between $15,500 and $16,000 (before deducting potential battery rebates that might be available where you live). This price also excludes the solar panels.

How to get a Tesla Powerwall Battery?

The installation of a Tesla Powerwall battery must be performed by a professional installer. Please contact a solar battery installer to start planning your home battery system. 

The installer will help you find the optimum solution for your household, based on power consumption and other factors.

Conclusion: Is the Tesla Powerwall Battery worth it?

Both yes and no. Today, the Tesla Powerwall battery is one of the most reliable and advanced battery storage products found on the market. However, it comes with a cost. You can expect to save quite a bit of money on your energy bills, but the initial cost is high.

The lifespan of a Tesla Powerwall is as much as 20 years, which means you will be able to benefit from your investment over a longer period. Depending on your energy consumption and usage habits, you might expect the system to pay for itself within 15 years or so.

So, if your budget allows you to, a Tesla Powerwall battery might be worth the investment. Make sure you use a CEC-approved installer for obtaining quotes on Tesla Powerwall.