Powerwall System Design

System Components

Powerwall: Powerwall is a rechargeable home battery that can store energy from solar.

Powerwall+: Powerwall+ is a rechargeable home battery which includes an integrated Tesla Solar Inverter and a system controller. Tesla Solar Inverter converts energy from the home’s solar panels or Solar Roof to be used by the home. Its battery assembly stores energy from solar. Learn more about the differences between Powerwall and Powerwall+.

Tesla Solar Inverter: Tesla Solar Inverter converts energy from the home’s solar panels or Solar Roof to be used by the home.

Backup Gateway: Backup Gateway controls system operation, detects grid outages, disconnects the Powerwall system from the grid to enable backup power from the battery and functions as a site meter. Backup Gateway may be installed in whole home or partial home backup systems.

Backup Switch: Backup Switch detects grid outages, disconnects the Powerwall system from the grid to enable backup power from the battery and functions as a site meter. Backup Switch is installed in whole home backup systems. Tesla Backup Switch may not be approved by some utilities.

Additional Electrical Hardware: Additional electrical hardware, including electrical panels, conduit, disconnects, meters, etc. are installed based on site needs and code requirements.

What Powerwall Provides

The number of Powerwalls purchased determines whether whole home backup or partial home backup is provided. Learn more about what is backed up by Powerwall.
 

Whole Home Backup: With whole home backup, your Powerwall system will be able to support all appliances in your home during a power outage. Whole home backup is determined by the number of Powerwalls and the loads in your home.

Partial Home Backup: Partial home backup allows you to back up essential loads, such as lights and outlets, and leave out larger loads, such as air conditioners and washing machines. When the grid is operational, you will be able to use and monitor all appliances. When the grid is down, only the loads you deem essential will be usable.

Typical System Configurations

The Powerwall system configuration installed at your home may vary, depending on:

• The size of your solar system
• How many Powerwalls you have purchased with solar
• The order date of your system

Below are the most common Powerwall system configurations:

Whole Home Backup

Backup Switch Approved by Your Utility

POWERWALL+

Backup Switch Not Approved by Your Utility

POWERWALL

POWERWALL+

Partial Home Backup

POWERWALL

POWERWALL+