A Powerwall installation includes at least one Powerwall, a Tesla Gateway and electrical hardware that varies from site to site and by local electrical code. Tesla will recommend the number of Powerwalls you need based on your energy consumption. Depending on site limitations, either whole home or partial home backup will be available.  

Whole Home Backup

Whole home backup means that your Powerwall system will be able to support all appliances in your home during a power outage.

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.

You will be able to use and monitor all appliances when the grid is operational, but only the loads you deem essential will be usable when the grid is down.

In both cases, the combined power usage of the appliances cannot exceed the 5 kilowatts of continuous power per Powerwall, or your system will turn off. During a grid outage, it is always best to not run all appliances at once. Learn more about the typical power consumption of different appliances. 

Multiple Powerwalls

Multiple Powerwall systems will allow you to back up more loads and keep your home powered during longer outages. Powerwall systems can be mounted side-by-side on a wall or floor or stacked front-to-back on the floor.

Side-by-Side Mounting

When mounted side-by-side, each Powerwall must have enough clearance on the sides for electrical connections and proper ventilation.

Front-to-Back Mounting

When stacked front-to-back in groups of no more than three Powerwalls, the Powerwalls are floor-mounted and anchored to an adjacent wall. The Powerwalls are then joined together with special hardware.

Where to Install Powerwall

Powerwall can be installed indoors or outdoors and can operate within a wide range of temperatures, from -4°F to 122°F.  At the extremes of the temperature range, Powerwall may limit charge or discharge power to improve battery lifespan. If you are in an area that is often outside of the 32°F to 86°F range, we recommend that Powerwall is installed indoors.

To optimize performance, avoid installing Powerwall in locations exposed to direct sunlight or subject to extreme temperatures. Additionally, while humidity and rain do not pose a risk, Powerwall should not be installed in locations subject to flooding or near water sources such as downspouts, faucets or sprinkler systems. In order to maintain proper ventilation, Powerwall should be kept clear of debris such as leaves and dense brush, and areas of accumulated snow.