Tesla Powerwall in 2023: worth it?

[@drsuppan]

As an owner of a Powerwall I have to admit that I made the mistake in planning to ignore the amount of storage I need for the backup function. That amount is not available for use. So those two targets of backup and peak-time usage contradict each other. In reality that means that you need at least two Powerwalls to make sense. Also the 5KW supply would usually not be enough if you run an AC-unit. In short: you need two or three of them to make sense

[@andreag8666]

3😮

[@calivalley9056]

It depends on the type of A/C unit you have, single stage has huge start up draw vs a variable speed unit.

[@baneverything5580]

Why not buy LiFeP04 batteries and the parts needed to build a far better & far FAR less expensive emergency system? A 1000 dollar 12v 300ah LiFeP04 battery has 3.8 kwh of energy storage. But most people will never learn how to use emergency solar wisely and efficiently. People still use 100+ watt box fans with solar power stations when they could use low wattage DC fans. Then complain when the fan stops working in under 3 hours.

[@ARLGD]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Powerwall. It seems like the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series could be a good alternative for you. With its expandable capacity and versatile sockets, it may suit your power needs better. Plus, its fast recharging and comprehensive protections provide peace of mind. You might find it worth considering for your backup power solution. Hope this helps!

[@thomasjacques5286]

With current credits and rebates here In Illinois I can get 3 PW2s installed for about $18K or about $4K LESS than a generator. So we are adding 3 PW2s to our AC coupled Enphase PV system. I’ll leave physical space for a 4th PW2 in the future.

[@s2hull]

excellent breakdown. Thank you for putting this together - it was extremely helpful and informative.

[@drtellezduarte]

Hi. Do you know if this power wall, or other batteries are water proof? For twin and bad weather

[@dennislyons3095]

I have lived in Calif. int the country for 35 years. We have not had power interruption in over 10 years.

[@Itried20takennames]

Agree, in CA and no outages, except for a planned one for maintenance, for over a decade. I don’t know if super needed, but if people have the money to try back up power like wind power or solar, as a “just in case,”….all the better.

[@dennislyons3095]

@@Itried20takennames The other thing most people are not aware of is that many of the Eva have the ability to feed power to the grid. It is called "bidirectional" charging. The important aspect is that in a power emergency the EVs could supplement the grid power for the hours the grid is under severe pressure.

[@lilbit4165]

That's amazing. We live in the northern nebraska and lose power regularly in storms. Once for over 2 weeks. Since family members have medical equipment backup power is a must now. We have always used generators but have recently added some solar and have been thinking of a Tesla unit or other back up system...

[@shahdo_1765]

Haha, lucky you I have had a power outage for about 2 weeks.

[@dennislyons3095]

@@lilbit4165 Solar & a backup battery system works great when solar power is available. During stormy times the battery would take up the load. If the storm down time was really long, solar may not be available & that is the time for a fuel powered generator to either charge the batteries or power the pads. A gas/diesel/propane generator could charge the batteries while the batteries are supplying electrical power. That ma reduce losses from having more generator than is necessary to power the loads. It is a trade off, like most things. More options usually lead to better outcomes.

[@lenadeprayns3741]

Hello Jason, I have a Rav4 Prime 2023 (18.1kw) with a 110v charger but I'm considering buying a Tesla powerwall plus 22kw battery with their respective solar panels. My question is if I can charge or use the 110v that has been already storage in the powerwall to charge my 110v battery in the Rav4 Prime?

[@jackcoats4146]

Do Tesla power walls take dc from solar to charge the batteries?

[@charliesk3542]

This is quite possibly the best video on this subject. Well done. Keen to chat with you directly if interested. I have a Y and 42 panels and am a huge advocate for natural energy. Nothing like charging a car directly from sunlight. Science is beautiful and I am a creative director ;) Thanks.

[@markmcadie354]

One thing you did not mention is the value of certainty of cost, with a sufficiently large Solar rooftop system and batteries you hedged against power price rises. I have such a system and my account is permanently in credit, so price rises do not bother me at all...

[@lopesphoto]

In NY on your anniversary year if you have credits the electric company pays you out. They pay you at half the cost of each kilowatt so I’m losing money that way. Do they allow you to keep it in perpetual credit mode?

[@baneverything5580]

Why not buy LiFeP04 batteries and the parts needed to build a far better & less expensive emergency system?

[@johnsteed265]

Not many people know how to do this. They all want easy and hassle free. Just get a Solar Ark 15K hybrid inverter, a few 5K batteries (shop around for the best buy!) and install it yourself! The inverter costs about $6K, the batteries can be as low as $1K each and your in business! It take about 2 hours for a diyer to install the add on battery to a solar system.

[@ericinla65]

YOU WILL NEED A MINIUMUM OF 3 POWER WALLS - Most people don't want spend $35,000 for batteries alone on top of paying for your Solar Panels. Is it worth it to pay $50,000 for everything and still pay $75 a month to pay to be connected to the grid every month.

[@ohmygosh6176]

Gas generator looks cheaper however once you realize that you have to pay for the gas you burn and yearly maintenance it adds up quickly. The more you use the gas generator the more it will cost you.

[@GoldMineArcade]

With that being said you have to also figure how much it's going to cost to replace your when it goes bad

[@baneverything5580]

Why not buy LiFeP04 batteries and the parts needed to build a far better & WAAAAY less expensive emergency system? A 1000 dollar 12v Power Queen 300ah LiFeP04 has 3.8 kwh storage. A 5 kwh server rack LiFeP04 is 1500 or less.

[@thomasjacques5286]

Our 12.5 kWh PV system should be installed by mid-Oct. We will wait until Tesla releases the PW3, if they drag their feet we will go with Enphase's 5Ps. We want LFP batteries. So Tesla don't disappoint.

[@ICS1347]

What is the replacement cost to replace powerwall batteries?

[@johnsteed265]

A single PW2 battery cost about $11,500 (plus installation costs). They are rated at 13.5KW. However, if you get them, they are warrantied for 10 years and who knows what a battery will cost then? Already, manufacturers are coming up with batteries to replace Lithium batteries with Sodium, so they could be dirt cheap then!

[@devilsadvocate2656]

I was interested in the comments regards grid charging... especially since I understand that PW3 has recently been released. I'm based in NZ and I'm looking for a way to reduce my energy bill (I don't have solar). One of the utility companies is offering "free" power from 9-12pm daily. If charging the Tesla PW from the grid is practical, I could fully charge the Powerwall during the free period, & then start powering the house during the day (no point during the night). Alternatively, I could sign up to a power company that offered low rates during the night and then charge the Powerwall then for use during the daytime. Obviously, I'd have to work the numbers, but the first question that I need to understand is, is this an achievable scenario?

[@bootangy]

does it allow for long term grid down?

[@DivingDeveloper]

Yes, depending on usage. One PW is 13.5kWh. With solar it’s fantastic - it will top up from solar during the day and extend the backup protection dramatically.

[@bootangy]

@@DivingDeveloper TY

[@bootangy]

@@DivingDeveloper ty shame it cant do three phase

[@DivingDeveloper]

@@bootangy Right. But they can be installed separately onto each of the phases if that's what you're looking for. But I know what you mean. Tesla do sell a solution in the "MegaPack" for businesses that works with three phase. That said, if a homeowner installs three phase, they can have PW or any other batteries on the single phase supplying the house, say - and still benefit from the use of the other two phases for solar export.

[@bootangy]

@@DivingDeveloper costly but im tempted with a three phase inverter as my boiler is three phase.not worried about exporting my power.i want my enphase 7 microinverters to also work grid down

[@ahdon3]

Very good advice!!

[@louisbellanca9293]

Buy LiFePO4 cells and a BMS and an Inverter/Charger and make your own. You will learn a lot but pay attention to safety.

[@whatta7793]

Tesla modules are 24 volt, easy to wire in parallel, get an inverter 24 volt, the proper charge controller, bada bing bada boom.

[@johnsteed265]

Right! Why pay for all of this fancy stuff. Solar inverter, wire, hardware, and batteries. The engineers from the place you buy the batteries from give you all the information you need. You just need common sense and practice safety.

[@SSCape]

Excellent, comprehensive explanation, Thank you.

[@andyatmosphere]

This is more of a powerwall sales pitch, NOT a technical analysis of different sized powerwalls or comparison of different battery technology.

[@itweety21]

Ok put my n it has save me SHITLOAD of times now summer 🌞 high peak rates and blackouts , winter ❄️ not enough sun and winter storms .

[@paulmurray3837]

Good explanation, thanks.

[@PilotVBall]

The grid in the USA is not old. The equipment is still operating within the expected lifespan and is replaced and upgraded as needed. There's nothing old about the USA grid. The only problem with the electric grid in the USA, which is the cause of most outages, is that the wires are above ground and trees are constantly falling on them or drivers are constantly crashing into power poles. Other outages are caused by sabotage and terrorism, as in the substation equipment shooting in North Carolina by a local terrorist. The media needs to stop it with the old power grid lie.

[@Michaeljallen1978]

I'm in Massachusetts and it's better not using a battery. Those batteries really aren't worth it unless you want to be off grid.

[@mrjon75]

If you don't care about having electricity at night, sure.

[@gene8172]

@@mrjon75We use the grid as our battery here.

[@NormanSilver]

No! Solid State Batteries re here and far less costly.

[@kevinlucas8437]

Not sure the return is worth the expenditure of thousands !!!

[@pauldesi]

Really…”you see, solar panels generate energy during the day…”. Wow. How insightful….

[@Kron79]

Overpriced turnkey, do it yourself cheaper.