The Tesla Powerwall is a solar battery that can power your home at night, on cloudy days, or during an unexpected grid outage by storing excess energy generated by your solar system.
Introduced in 2015, the Powerwall has become known as one of the best solar batteries for residential solar systems, reducing utility bills by using stored energy, especially if you do not have access to a net metering program or your utility charges more for electricity during peak hours.
Tesla Solar Batteries
Tesla offers two models of solar batteries: the Tesla Powerwall 2 and the Powerwall+. Here’s how they compare:
Model |  Tesla Powerwall 2 |  Tesla Powerwall+ |
Usable Capacity | 13.5 kWh | 13.5 kWh |
Continuous Power | 5.8 kW | 5.8 kW with no sun and |
Peak Power | 10 kW | 10 kW with no sun and |
Size | 1150 x | 1595 x |
Weight | 114 kg | 156 kg |
Operating Temperature Range | -20°C to 50°C | -20°C to 50°C |
Depth of Discharge (DoD) | 100% | 100% |
Round Trip Efficiency | 90% | 90% |
Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
Pros and Cons
As with any product, there are pros and cons to consider when looking at the Tesla Powerwall.
Pros
- Compatible with both new and existing solar panel systems
- Guarantees a 70% storage capacity at the end of the 10-year warranty period
- Tesla App offers system monitoring and optimisation
- Has a larger capacity than most solar batteries available today
Cons
- Batteries only come in one size
- Not designed for 3-phase applications as you can only connect the battery to one phase
Technical Specifications
The Tesla Powerwall 2 uses Lithium-ion technology where the cathodes are made from a compound of Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and Manganese (LiNiMnCoO₂). The battery has a usable energy of 13.5 kWh, a depth of discharge of 100%, a maximum continuous power of 5kW (charge & discharge), and a round trip efficiency of 90%.
Warranty
The Tesla Powerwall comes with a 10-year warranty for defects, with the normal set of exclusions including improper use or installation. The warranty also covers a maximum degradation to 70% of its nameplate capacity of 13.2kWh at the end of the 10-year period.
Mobile App Functionality
Tesla has developed a mobile app, supported on Android and iOS app stores, that enables users to view the real-time operation and performance history of their Tesla Powerwall. App users can switch the battery between 3 modes: Back-Up only, Self-powered, and Time-based control.
1. Back-Up Only
Switches the battery to store all possible energy and keep the battery full. This means in the event of a blackout power will continue for the system and can potentially last for weeks if coupled with a sufficiently sized Solar PV system.
2. Self-Powered
This mode maximises the financial utility of the battery enabling a household to capitalise on as much free energy from their rooftop prior to drawing any energy
3. Time Based Control
If the owner has a time-based electricity charge from their retailer, then the Tesla Powerwall 2 has the smarts to charge only at the ‘off-peak’ rates and discharge the power at peak rates.
The actual financial benefit available depends on the tariffs of the electricity retailer, but are generally insufficient to merit the investment into a battery system alone.
Powerwall Components and Features
Powerwall includes the following components and features:
- Air Intake: The Powerwall is designed with an air intake system to ensure that the battery remains cool during operation.
- Air Exhaust: The exhaust system works in tandem with the air intake to help regulate the temperature of the battery.
- Wiring Compartment: This is where the Powerwall’s wiring systems are housed.
- On/Off Switch: This switch allows the user to easily power the Powerwall on or off as needed.
- LED Indicator: This light provides visual feedback on the status and operation of the Powerwall.
Should You Buy a Tesla Powerwall?
The Tesla Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+ are high-capacity, high-efficiency home battery systems with a range of features and modes designed to maximise the utility of your solar power system. While it is one of the more expensive options on the market, Tesla’s performance and features make it a strong contender in the home energy storage market.
If you want to know anything more about Tesla batteries then reach out to our team who will happily assist you.
