In the first quarter of 2024, Tesla announced their latest energy storage product, Tesla Powerwall 3. Powerwall 3 replaces both Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+. Read on to learn all about this product and why it’s superior to the previous generations and vastly superior (and less expensive) than any other home energy storage solution on the market today.
Power, Power, Power!
Tesla Powerwall 3 offers enough continuous energy to backup most homes in Southern Oregon. This means that when the sun goes down or the power goes out, you will still be able to run all of your appliances and keep your home comfortable. Larger homes can take advantage of stackable expansion units that will prolong the time you will be able to run everything.
Powerwall 3 provides 130% more continuous power than its predecessor, Powerwall 2. This is an incredible improvement and Powerwall is now the hands-down leader in this regard.
Low Cost Design
Tesla has learned a lot about energy storage over the years. Powerwall 3 takes advantage of this knowledge in some very important ways:
- Designed by installers for installers: the units are much easier and faster–and therefore less expensive–to install than any other energy storage solution.
- DC Coupling: solar panels create direct current (DC) electricity. Powerwall 3 takes this power and stores in in a DC battery. As your home uses energy, the unit converts it to alternating current (AC) for use by your appliances and all the other devices in your home. This is a much more efficient way to bring you whole-home backup.
- If you are familiar with inverter technology, you may be aware of microinverters, which are installed with 90%+ of all residential solar systems today. Tesla’s innovation reduces the reliance on these expensive additions to solar installations. The integrated solar inverter more efficiently converts solar energy into stored electricity, allowing the system to capture more solar energy in the process.
- Expansion packs: Tesla offers the ability to increase storage capacity for Powerwall, rather than requiring the homeowner to purchase additional Powerwall units. These expansion packs can be stacked on to the original unit.
These innovations mean that True South Solar can install solar panels with Powerwall 3 less expensively than with previous energy storage solutions. We can also retrofit an existing solar installation with Powerwall 3, but it’s more expensive than if we start out with Powerwall 3.
Whole-Home Backup Protection
A single Tesla Powerwall 3 unit will provide whole-home backup protection during a grid outage.
- One unit powers the home: Each unit has the storage capacity and efficiency to provide backup protection to the entire home.
- Seamless Transition: Units begin powering the home as soon as an outage is detected, while similar home batteries and home generators experience a delay of 2–5 seconds.
- Automated Storage: Units automatically charge to their maximum storage capacity when severe weather is forecast, ensuring maximum backup protection.
Durable Design
Tesla Powerwall 3 can be submerged in up to 28 inches of water. The batteries now have heating and cooling ability to ensure maximum eficiency, whether placed indoors or outdoors.
One Integrated Ecosystem
Powerwall 3 is designed to support EV home charging needs with the ability to optimize for sustainable charging and energy savings.
The Charge on Solar feature allows EVs to recharge using excess solar that is not needed to power the home. Off-Grid Charging allows EVs to recharge using solar, even if the grid is down. The unit allows Powershare-enabled EVs to share their battery power with the home through Powerwall, extending backup duration in an outage
The Details
- Maximum Continuous Power: 11.5 kW (130% more than Powerwall 2)
- Load Start Capability: 185 LRA (75% more than Powerwall 2)
- Maximum Solar System Size: 20 kW DC (119% more than Powerwall 2)
- A single Powerwall 3 can power: a 6-seat hot tub, a 5-ton HVAC, or a EV charging at full power
