How Powerwall Works
Powerwall gives you the ability to store energy for later use and works with solar to provide key security and financial benefits. Each Powerwall system is equipped with energy monitoring, metering and smart controls for owner customization using the Tesla app. The system learns and adapts to your energy use over time and receives over-the-air updates to add new features and enhance existing ones.
Powerwall & Powerwall+
Powerwall is a rechargeable home battery system that can be installed with solar. A Powerwall system can be composed of up to 10 Powerwalls, including a combination of Powerwall+ and traditional Powerwalls. A Powerwall+ contains additional features focusing on solar integration that enable cleaner installations with less equipment.
Integrated revenue-grade energy metering can help you accurately monitor your solar production and home energy consumption for precise, real-time insight to your home energy, claim credit for clean energy incentives and be ready to join future virtual power plants. Powerwall+ is able to intelligently power heavy equipment, and direct solar integration improves solar recharging during power outages, resulting in a better off-grid experience than ever before.
ON-GRID POWER |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
BACKUP POWER |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
BACKUP LOAD START CAPABILITY |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
STORAGE CAPACITY |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
SOLAR INTEGRATION |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
COMMUNICATION |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
MONITORING |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
GRID DISCONNECT |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
BACKUP PERFORMANCE |
POWERWALL POWERWALL+ |
*Full sun / no sun.
†See Powerwall Technical Specifications for more details.
With Solar
When the sun rises, solar begins powering the home. When additional power is required for the home, the home can pull it from the utility grid.
Powerwall is charged by solar during the day, when solar panels are producing more electricity than the home is consuming. Powerwall then stores that energy until the home needs it, such as when solar is no longer producing at night, or when the utility grid is offline during a power outage. With Tesla, when your Powerwall system changes status, such as the utility grid going down or offline, you can expect to receive notifications from the Tesla app.
When the sun comes out the next day, solar recharges Powerwall so you have a cycle of clean, renewable energy.
Without Solar
If your electricity rates vary throughout the day, Powerwall can charge when your utility’s electricity costs are low and discharge when electricity costs are high, generating automatic savings. Powerwall will also provide seamless backup power by detecting grid outages and automatically becoming the home's main power source.
Without Backup
When Powerwall+ is installed by itself with a non-backup configuration, it fully operates when the grid is active but does not provide power when there is a grid outage. Owners can use the power they generate with solar at night, export energy at peak prices and participate in Virtual Power Plant programs.
Modes | Powerwall+ configured with Backup Gateway or Backup Switch | Powerwall+ configured without backup |
---|---|---|
Self-Powered | ✓ | ✓ |
Time-Based Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Virtual Power Plant | ✓ | ✓ |
Backup Reserve | ✓ |
Features | Powerwall+ configured with Backup Gateway or Backup Switch | Powerwall+ configured without backup |
---|---|---|
Utility Rate Plans | ✓ | ✓ |
Storm Watch | ✓ | |
Off-Grid Vehicle Charging | ✓ | |
Go Off-Grid | ✓ |
Impact Cards | Powerwall+ configured with Backup Gateway or Backup Switch | Powerwall+ configured without backup |
---|---|---|
Self-Powered | ✓ | ✓ |
Solar and Energy Value | ✓ | ✓ |
Solar Offset | ✓ | ✓ |
Time-of-Use | ✓ | ✓ |
Backup History | ✓ |
Learn more about Powerwall modes and available features.
Future Backup Upgrades
A non-backup system can be upgraded to include backup features later using Backup Switch. Reach out to your installer about the outlook for upgrading to a backup system.
Note: Californian utilities are expected to approve Backup Switch for residential homes by 2024.