Electricity Tariffs
The Tesla app allows you to add your electricity tariff for more accurate value estimates. Tariffs are your price of energy and generally determine how much you pay for your electricity from your supplier. One of the benefits of a solar system with Tesla Powerwall is reduced energy consumption from the grid, resulting in lower electricity bills. Having accurate tariff information helps your Tesla app calculate and maximise your savings. You can find these details on your latest energy bill.
Tesla App Features
The Time-Based Control feature uses your tariff and machine learning to optimise how your Powerwall charges and discharges. This helps maximise the impact of your energy generation and lower the cost of energy consumption, often referred to as load shifting.
The Energy Value card estimates the amount of energy generated by your solar system, if you have one. These values are calculated based on the time of day and amount of solar generation, energy consumption and energy exported to the grid.
Custom Tariffs
You can build a custom tariff in the Tesla app. Elements of a custom tariff are outlined in the table below:
| ELEMENT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Flat Rate | Some tariffs may use flat rates, where the cost of your energy does not change based on the time of day. |
| Time Periods | Your electricity price differs throughout the day based on energy supply and demand. Periods are typically referred to as "Off-Peak," "Super Off-Peak" (lower-priced periods with lower energy demand), "Peak" or "Mid-Peak" (higher-priced periods with higher energy demand). |
| Seasons | Energy suppliers may adjust pricing across seasons to account for energy supply and demand shifts. |
| Weekends | Some tariffs may have special weekend schedules, such as a “Super Off-Peak” period, used when energy is at the lowest demand during the week. Weekends refer to Saturday and Sunday. |
| Pricing | Your tariff will have the cost of importing (buying) or exporting (selling) energy. Selling price corresponds to the export FiT or the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) from your retailer. |
Setting Up a Custom Tariff
Step 1: From the home screen, open the ‘Settings’ menu.
Step 2: Tap the ‘Energy Supplier Tariff.’
Step 3: Tap ‘Start,’ or if your system already has a tariff, tap ‘Start Over.’
Step 4: Tap ‘Custom Tariff.’
Step 5: Enter your ‘Energy Supplier Name' and ‘Tariff Name'.
Step 6: Select either ‘Time of Use’ or ‘Seasons’ depending on your rate pricing structure.
Step 7: If your tariff uses ‘Time of Use,’ tap ‘rate periods’ and drag the slider to edit time periods. Tap ‘Add Time Period’ to add a new period. Multiple peak periods are supported. Repeat this step for weekends.
Step 8: If your tariff uses ‘Seasons,’ set your season using the handles. Use ‘+’ or ‘–‘ to remove Seasons. Up to three seasons are currently supported. Enter the ‘rate pricing’ for this season. You can set a unique ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ price for each time period, depending on your tariff. The sell price corresponds to the export FiT or the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) from your retailer.
Step 9: Repeat steps 7 and 8 to account for all time periods and seasons.
Step 10: Review the summary screen, and then tap ‘Save.’
Feature Availability
Adding a tariff as well as viewing the Energy Value card requires Tesla app version 4.2.0 or later. Additionally, some tariffs have elements that require Powerwall Firmware 21.39.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Electricity Tariffs
How can I check if I have the tariff features in the Tesla app?
On the ‘Settings’ menu of the app, if you see a dedicated ‘Supplier Tariff' section, your home has access to the tariff features.
If I change my tariff in the Tesla app, does that change it with my supplier?
Changing your tariff in the Tesla app does not change your tariff with your supplier. Contact your supplier if you wish to switch to a new tariff. Similarly, switching your tariff with your supplier does not automatically update the tariff in your Tesla app. You may change your tariff in the Tesla app at any time.
Can I edit my tariff to find additional savings with my energy supplier?
You can edit your tariff in-app to estimate potential value changes when you change your tariff with your supplier. Please remember to return to your original settings afterward.
How accurate is Energy Value?
While we expect these values to be fairly accurate, all values presented in the Tesla app are estimates, not guarantees. These values may vary from other calculations, such as those in your bill, for several reasons. These may include factors like aggregation, taxes and local fees, meter inaccuracies, data gaps, energy usage, standing charges, transmission or service fees, rounding, etc. You will not be able to add Generation Feed in Tariff. The value generated from this Feed in Tariff will be excluded from the Energy Value estimation.
When will my Powerwall get support for tariff features and the Energy Value card?
These features are being released on a routine basis as we monitor performance and make adjustments to improve accuracy. As with other software updates, availability of these app features may vary, with a phased user rollout expected through December 2021 and early 2022.
What is the Tesla Energy Plan?
The Tesla Energy Plan is a simple, 100% clean energy tariff that reduces your electricity bills and saves you money. We offer this tariff exclusively for clients with solar and Powerwall. Learn more about the benefits of joining the Tesla Energy Plan.