Updates Found Here (Last Updated 12/23/24) - What's new with PW3 from PW2 (10/1/2024) If you want to learn the differences between PW2 & PW3, then check out this video th-cam.com/video/LWw8UvDki28/w-d-xo.html - Regarding capacity (10/1/2024): Capacity is 13.5 kWh, but there will be some conversion losses (~10%). Realistically there's ~12-12.5 kWh of capacity available under real world conditions. - Add-ons with NEM (10/8/24) Will adding a PW3 impact your NEM status (CA)? From Tesla: AS OF NOW...Yes. Customers on NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 can add battery storage later. For existing NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 customers, adding battery storage does not affect your existing status. - WiFi & Cellular connectivity (10/8/24) If concerned with a total lapse in the grid, wifi, and possible cellular then it may make sense to purchase a Starlink to complement the entire setup. - Software (10/8/24) For even more Powerwall automations or to monitor your system from your web browser, check out this app: www.netzero.energy - Remote Meter (10/9/24) With the release of Tesla's Remote Meter, the Powerwall 3 can be AC-coupled with existing solar with BOTH the Backup Switch & Gateway 3. Additionally, partial home backup with the Gateway 3 and Powerwall 3 is also possible. - Powerwall Delays: As of 1/2025, there is a backlog of Powerwall 3 orders. Depending on your installer, you may see some delay on your project due to this demand which at this point in time is completely normal.
Thank you for doing all these videos on the Tesla Powerwall 3. I live in the Los Angeles area and just placed a deposit on 1x Powerwall 3 for my home with a local company. I just hope the Gateway 3 and the Tesla Remote Meters will be available when it's time for installation. I already have solar with a SMA Sunny Boy inverter so it will be AC coupled.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 😀 You should be all good for the Gateway 3 & remote meter. If your installer has Gateway 2s in stock, then they might use those. If not, you’ll have the GW3 with the new RM. Either way, you’ll have full monitoring.
Great context Zach! I have learned so much from you on the PW3.. Do you have experience or information on a non-export system. This was an option mentioned to me in CA, as I am currently in NEM 2.0 and looking to add a Powerwall 3 and possibly adding some more solar panels to existing system. My understanding is if I add solar panels I would be put in NEM 3.0, so this non-export system was referenced as a possible option with PG&E in CA. I just don’t know the pros or possible cons with this setup.
I really appreciate that! Stoked to hear that my videos have been helpful for you 😎 I personally don’t have experience directly with non-export systems. My main concern would be making sure your installer sets it up 100% correctly to ensure you don’t get pulled from NEM 2.0 due to this addition. Here’s more info on non-export systems from Tesla, although it doesn’t answer the PG&E part. energylibrary.tesla.com/docs/Public/EnergyStorage/Powerwall/General/Compliance/PowerControlSystemFeatures/en-us/GUID-E84DB70D-5596-40C4-8B57-2F606A86733F.html Anything that’s utility specific can be tough bc there’s rarely one clear answer on this stuff and it’s frustrating.
@@ZachSolar Zach, you are to kind to provide information on this topic. I have the same concern about setting it up correctly! I might just stick with just getting the power-wall 3 for existing system. Keep up the great work.
@@rubenvaz6497 Absolutely! You are right I could add a few more panels under NEM 2. In California, a non-export system prevents excess energy from being sent back to the grid. Non-export systems can be used to expand a solar system without losing the benefits of Net Energy Metering (NEM) 1.0 or 2.0. No one talks about this option as it is fairly new. You can still add powerwalls to NEM 1 or 2 without any issues of getting bumped to NEM 3. I decided to get just upgrade to the Powerwall 3 for now and down the road I will setup a Non-export system.
Great Q&A, Zach. Regarding #42, if the WiFi goes out, you can still communicate with the Powerwall 3 through the app. Our home internet went down for the entire day yesterday, but we still had great sun. I was very curious what would happen because I thought the PW3 relied on WiFi to operate. I was still able to see the solar and PW3 through the app, the system continued to work as normal, even charging my MYP “on Solar”. Clearly the PW3’s just pivoted to cellular and operated normally. I also was able to change Powerwall settings while my WiFi was down. My units are not Ethernet connected.
@@ZachSolarWe are loving it so far! Does a great job selling power back to our utility (PG&E) during super high buy back pricing in September. My two PW3’s discharged at a rate of 23 kW just as expected!
I believe that you can also link your phone directly to the power wall , check out settings and then phone pairing (I’m in uk just in case that makes a difference!)
Great video, here in the U.K. there’s a much better use case for getting one to charge at night (7 pence a Kw) compared to day rate (26 pence a kw). I could achieve £1000 savings a year and can get one installed for £8000.
Do this. There's 6 string inputs. Only 4 are used. Use the other two inputs connected to the dc outputs of a small gas generator (they have dc outputs the days). Now you have a generator connection. Slow recharge when panels are covered in snow and grid is down.
Hello Zack, I have a 2004 Carrier heat pump compressor, do you suggest a hard start or soft start kit to assist with a single Tesla Powerwall 3 ? Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully, Joseph
Hey Joseph, the PW3 can handle up to 185 LRA. Is your heat pump under that mark? If yes, you’re good to go as is. But if you are over that 185, I’d say that soft start is the way to go. However, on older AC units I know hard starts are a popular option but I don’t believe they reduce the inrush current.
@@ZachSolar Hello Zach, Your prompt response is greatly appreciated. Yes, we’re definitely below 185LRA, although my PW3 Tesla certified installer, suggested a hard start kit to minimize initial startup electrical draw from the PW3. What’s your opinion, hard start or soft start kit ? Recognizing it’s only for startup and will not affect overall HVAC electrical consumption. Look forward to your insightful reply. Respectfully, Joseph
@@josephdonini5038 Disclaimer: This is not my wheelhouse, so I could very well be wrong here. If reducing strain on the PW3 is the goal, then I'm almost certain that a soft start would be what you need.. Soft starts reduce the initial inrush current. Hard starts increase that initial inrush current. I'd clarify why they are making that hard start suggestion and if a soft start would make more sense. Hopefully this helps!
Dual Powerwall 3, integrated with Gateway 3 and implemented without solar. What if I want to add PowerShare later? Will I have to replace my existing Gateway 3 (by adding a neutral forming transformer) or will I need to swap my Gateway 3 for a Gateway 3v?
Short answer: All Powerwall installs are ready for Powershare. Just need the software/firmware pushed. No need to swap the gateway out. Long answer: Check out this video for the full story on Powershare. I cover compatibility at the 5:42 mark th-cam.com/video/MEr3syKYLH4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=N8wPFcJp_iYOARLY
Excellent video! Do you service the Ashfork AZ area? I will be 100% off grid only. There is no electricity where I’m building yet. I did put in a request for a Tesla installer to contact me 3 weeks ago but nothing yet. Also interested in the solar roof instead of panels.
@ the manufactured home I’m looking at has a “port” I guess it is called already installed. Would that help? Everyone is on solar out there with no grid and some of the houses are 4K square ft. Is there anyone that can install that system?
I was told by a Tesla rep that came to my house for an assessment that my Cybertruck will be used and looked at via the gateway as an additional battery. They also said I can use the truck and it will not void the warranty...no matter how much I use it to power the house
Not sure if you have this set up yet, but will your Cybertruck discharge any energy to the home when on-grid like a Powerwall? Or only when in a grid down situation? My understanding is that the Cybertruck would only discharge to the home when an outage occurs. Maybe I’ll have to go buy one for testing purposes 🤪
Also, from what I understand, the Cybertruck cannot function as an additional battery in the traditional sense. It can only serve as backup power during a grid outage and *cannot export energy to the grid* for VPP or other purposes. The reason for this limitation is to prevent users from charging the Cybertruck at a different location and discharging it at home, which could create imbalances in energy distribution.
This is Cathy's husband Larry - we are both amateur radio operators - we just installed a Tesla PowerWall 3 and solar panels to our condo. I am seeing significant radio frequency emissions at set frequency intervals of 250kHz across the high frequency spectrum into VHF spectrum - for example, I have an antenna for the 20 meter amateur band and there are signals at 14.00MHz, 14.250MHz, 14.500MHz, and so on. These disappear when the sun goes down and the panels are not producing power. Also, last evening, just 4 days after the install, our HOA complex power went out. Our power also went out even with the PowerWall set up I thought for backup power. When I tried to disconnect from the grid, the app stated that we had too many appliances connected (we did not) which exceeded the capacity of the PowerWall. Today, with power restored, I was able to disconnect from the grid without the over-capacity message warning. Any ideas?
For both of these scenarios, I'd reach out to your installer so they can troubleshoot this with you. I'd just be speculating on my end. Sorry, wish I had a better answer for you!
If one has a single meter, but 400 amps service (2x200 amp legs) can it be set up to feed only one of the 2 legs? Does that require any special/expansive hardware?
Yes you can do what you described. The gateway can backup 200A. So if you wanted just one of the 200A panels backed up, then only 1 Gateway required. If you wanted for both to be backed up, then 2 Gateways would be required. You can’t use the backup switch on a 400A service either.
@@yossishtekler7599 No benefits. They both serve the same purpose to the system. Just different methods of doing it. The backup switch is going to be more affordable due to the labor/time savings.
Two quesitons... 1: I have an agricultural building that faces south and has a subpanel fed from the house via a 200A 250mcm 4 wire underground connection. If I put solar on the ag building would powerwalls also be installed in that building? How about the gateway - same building or back in the residence? Are additional wires required or does the solar and powerwall connect directly to the sub-panel in the ag building and back feed via the existing feed? Second question: the residence has a 400A service with multiple 200a sub-panels feeding a different garage and two sub-panels in the house. Thus a backup solution would need to have multiple 200A gateways which is impractical. What is the potential for a future 400A gateway or 400A backup switch? The most practical solution for me would be solar on the ag building, powerwalls in the ag building and 400A gateway at the service entrance in the residence. Hopefully this could become possible. Thanks , great video! - Thomas
Thanks Thomas! I'm glad the video was helpful 👍 1) Both the Powerwall(s) and Gateway may be able to be installed on that building and backup that subpanel. My concern would be any utility pushback or AHJ restrictions with it being further away from the main. I'd find a local installer out there and see what their thoughts are. 2) I haven't heard anything about a 400A gateway or backup switch coming from Tesla, but I might be out of the loop. Installing 2 Gateways is the most common work around in this scenario.
Interesting that on question 15, you show the round trip efficiency of the Powerwall 3 as only 89%. I thought it was meant to be much higher, something like 97%. The Powerwall 2 was advertised as being 90%, but from my experience (dividing lifetime power out by power in), it's about 87%.
Yeah I was shocked to see it at 89% on the data sheet given the advertised efficiency of DC-coupled designs. I don't know if they are being overly conservative or what. The inverter efficiency is rated at 97.5% though.
@@ZachSolar I think some other TH-camrs have been confused when talking about the PW3 and have quoted that 97.5% as being the round trip efficiency, then comparing it to the 90% for the PW2. As I said I've found my PW2 to be about 87% efficient, but this doesn't include the original inverter loss from solar DC to AC which would make the PW3 look even better in comparison.
@@Pete856 Yeah 97.5% sounds way better, but that isn't accurate for RT efficiency according to the data sheets. My PW2 system sits at about 87% RT as well after 2 years. So 89%+ sounds right for a DC coupled PW3.
Zack, thank you for the video. I was wondering if there is any benefit besides financial between a PW3 with 2 expansion packs or two PW3 with 1 expansion pack thank you. We are PGE Customers
Glad it was helpful! The main benefit is just going to be power output. Once you achieve “whole home backup”, all you really need is more kWh so the expansion packs are a perfect solution that can save a few bucks. If the cost is close enough though, might as well get a powered unit IMO.
@@ZachSolar Thanks mate. Sorry one more question. I currently have a 11kw system with a 10kw SolarX inverter. When my SolarX inverted need to be removed?
@@dpg2004 You could do that and have the system restrung using the PW3 integrated inverter. I might consider that seeing as a single PW3 wouldn't be able to support that 10kW inverter when AC-coupled.
@@ZachSolar A 3rd party. The company that installed the Sunpower solar panels in 2018 no longer does solar. So I checked with Tesla and they recommended the installer for the Powerwall 3s. They were supposed to be installed in late September, then late October or early November. Now they're talking January or I can get Powerwall 2s installed in a couple of weeks.
Q: When the software update makes Powerwall-3 compatible with Powerwall-2, can the P3 DC Expansion be added to an existing P2 system, or is a regular P3 needed? For instance, if the current setup consists of three Powerwall-2 units on a 125A service panel and you want to expand storage capacity but Powerwall-2 units are no longer available.
Great question. Let me get confirmation. As a PW2 owner, I hope it could work. My concern is the fact the PW2 doesn’t have the same port the DC pack uses for wiring the batteries together. But perhaps there’d be a work around, however I feel a standard PW3 would be needed.
Unfortunately, DC-packs will require a PW3 to be installed. This is due to the DC-port on the expansion packs and the adapter that is used. It wouldn't be compatible with PW2.
The biggest question that I cant get an answer from anyone is solar curtailment. Can i via software automatically turn off the solar generation (eg if the grid price goes less than 0c/kwH)
Yes within the Tesla app you can disable permission to export. It won’t be automatic though based on a rate schedule. You’d have to manually toggle it on/off. You could use a 3rd party app like Netzero to set this automation though.
I was literally just quoted $75k-125K for a 3 Powerwall install with 10KW of solar.... Completely turned me off of Tesla for my in home backup. I'll likely be going Anker or Ecoflow due to this.
@@ZachSolar Just the one from the company that contacted me from putting my info in Tesla's site. Not sure how else to find Tesla certified installers here in East TN.
Looks like you were over quoted. I had Tesla install a 14.4 kWh system with one Powerwall 2 battery, in Northern VA, for around $42k about 2 years ago. PW2 batteries were 10k each at the time, so a system with 3 batteries would have been 62k.
Awesome video! Thank you! Have one PW2 and am seriously considering getting another if they cut the price. The PW3 comes with a built in inverter so figure the PW2 without an inverter should be discounted 😊
There is no official documentation from Tesla stating the Powerwall 3 is LFP - all of this stems from a rumor started by a now-deleted slide capture from a live presentation. If is was LFP Tesla would be crowing about it. They aren't.
I hear ya. All I can report on is what I hear from Tesla directly as an installer. Tbf, Tesla has never boasted about battery chem with either the Powerwalls or their vehicles. I know it's never been on their data sheets from previous PW generations, so this isn't something new. But you're welcome to be skeptical until this changes.
Updates Found Here (Last Updated 12/23/24)
- What's new with PW3 from PW2 (10/1/2024) If you want to learn the differences between PW2 & PW3, then check out this video th-cam.com/video/LWw8UvDki28/w-d-xo.html
- Regarding capacity (10/1/2024): Capacity is 13.5 kWh, but there will be some conversion losses (~10%). Realistically there's ~12-12.5 kWh of capacity available under real world conditions.
- Add-ons with NEM (10/8/24) Will adding a PW3 impact your NEM status (CA)? From Tesla: AS OF NOW...Yes. Customers on NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 can add battery storage later. For existing NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 customers, adding battery storage does not affect your existing status.
- WiFi & Cellular connectivity (10/8/24) If concerned with a total lapse in the grid, wifi, and possible cellular then it may make sense to purchase a Starlink to complement the entire setup.
- Software (10/8/24) For even more Powerwall automations or to monitor your system from your web browser, check out this app: www.netzero.energy
- Remote Meter (10/9/24) With the release of Tesla's Remote Meter, the Powerwall 3 can be AC-coupled with existing solar with BOTH the Backup Switch & Gateway 3. Additionally, partial home backup with the Gateway 3 and Powerwall 3 is also possible.
- Powerwall Delays: As of 1/2025, there is a backlog of Powerwall 3 orders. Depending on your installer, you may see some delay on your project due to this demand which at this point in time is completely normal.
Excellent Q&A 👍
Thank you!
Another banger.
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 😀
Thank you for doing all these videos on the Tesla Powerwall 3. I live in the Los Angeles area and just placed a deposit on 1x Powerwall 3 for my home with a local company. I just hope the Gateway 3 and the Tesla Remote Meters will be available when it's time for installation. I already have solar with a SMA Sunny Boy inverter so it will be AC coupled.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 😀
You should be all good for the Gateway 3 & remote meter. If your installer has Gateway 2s in stock, then they might use those. If not, you’ll have the GW3 with the new RM. Either way, you’ll have full monitoring.
Great knowledge. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Great context Zach! I have learned so much from you on the PW3.. Do you have experience or information on a non-export system. This was an option mentioned to me in CA, as I am currently in NEM 2.0 and looking to add a Powerwall 3 and possibly adding some more solar panels to existing system. My understanding is if I add solar panels I would be put in NEM 3.0, so this non-export system was referenced as a possible option with PG&E in CA. I just don’t know the pros or possible cons with this setup.
I really appreciate that! Stoked to hear that my videos have been helpful for you 😎
I personally don’t have experience directly with non-export systems. My main concern would be making sure your installer sets it up 100% correctly to ensure you don’t get pulled from NEM 2.0 due to this addition. Here’s more info on non-export systems from Tesla, although it doesn’t answer the PG&E part. energylibrary.tesla.com/docs/Public/EnergyStorage/Powerwall/General/Compliance/PowerControlSystemFeatures/en-us/GUID-E84DB70D-5596-40C4-8B57-2F606A86733F.html
Anything that’s utility specific can be tough bc there’s rarely one clear answer on this stuff and it’s frustrating.
@@ZachSolar Zach, you are to kind to provide information on this topic. I have the same concern about setting it up correctly! I might just stick with just getting the power-wall 3 for existing system. Keep up the great work.
@newt6639 Depending on how many panels you add you won’t necessarily be bumped into 3.0. Call and ask !
@@rubenvaz6497 Absolutely! You are right I could add a few more panels under NEM 2. In California, a non-export system prevents excess energy from being sent back to the grid. Non-export systems can be used to expand a solar system without losing the benefits of Net Energy Metering (NEM) 1.0 or 2.0. No one talks about this option as it is fairly new. You can still add powerwalls to NEM 1 or 2 without any issues of getting bumped to NEM 3. I decided to get just upgrade to the Powerwall 3 for now and down the road I will setup a Non-export system.
Great Q&A, Zach. Regarding #42, if the WiFi goes out, you can still communicate with the Powerwall 3 through the app. Our home internet went down for the entire day yesterday, but we still had great sun. I was very curious what would happen because I thought the PW3 relied on WiFi to operate. I was still able to see the solar and PW3 through the app, the system continued to work as normal, even charging my MYP “on Solar”. Clearly the PW3’s just pivoted to cellular and operated normally. I also was able to change Powerwall settings while my WiFi was down. My units are not Ethernet connected.
Thank you! Very cool to hear that the cellular took over and worked seamlessly with the WiFi going down. Hope you’re enjoying your PW3 system! 🔋
@@ZachSolarWe are loving it so far! Does a great job selling power back to our utility (PG&E) during super high buy back pricing in September. My two PW3’s discharged at a rate of 23 kW just as expected!
I believe that you can also link your phone directly to the power wall , check out settings and then phone pairing (I’m in uk just in case that makes a difference!)
Great video, here in the U.K. there’s a much better use case for getting one to charge at night (7 pence a Kw) compared to day rate (26 pence a kw). I could achieve £1000 savings a year and can get one installed for £8000.
Thank you! And yep, that is a great opportunity to take advantage of. Are most installs in UK solar + storage?
Do this. There's 6 string inputs. Only 4 are used. Use the other two inputs connected to the dc outputs of a small gas generator (they have dc outputs the days). Now you have a generator connection. Slow recharge when panels are covered in snow and grid is down.
Possible? Maybe. I haven't looked much into it.
Recommended? Absolutely not lol
@@ZachSolar lol. Agree. Do this on a demo unit, not your own unit in your house, at your own risk
You left out that customers who want the Powerwall 3 may have to wait up to a year to have one installed according to Tesla.
I can't speak for Tesla's timelines. They've always been notoriously slow as an installer.
Hello Zack, I have a 2004 Carrier heat pump compressor, do you suggest a hard start or soft start kit to assist with a single Tesla Powerwall 3 ? Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully, Joseph
Hey Joseph, the PW3 can handle up to 185 LRA. Is your heat pump under that mark? If yes, you’re good to go as is. But if you are over that 185, I’d say that soft start is the way to go. However, on older AC units I know hard starts are a popular option but I don’t believe they reduce the inrush current.
@@ZachSolar Hello Zach, Your prompt response is greatly appreciated. Yes, we’re definitely below 185LRA, although my PW3 Tesla certified installer, suggested a hard start kit to minimize initial startup electrical draw from the PW3.
What’s your opinion, hard start or soft start kit ?
Recognizing it’s only for startup and will not affect overall HVAC electrical consumption.
Look forward to your insightful reply.
Respectfully, Joseph
@@josephdonini5038 Disclaimer: This is not my wheelhouse, so I could very well be wrong here. If reducing strain on the PW3 is the goal, then I'm almost certain that a soft start would be what you need.. Soft starts reduce the initial inrush current. Hard starts increase that initial inrush current. I'd clarify why they are making that hard start suggestion and if a soft start would make more sense. Hopefully this helps!
Dual Powerwall 3, integrated with Gateway 3 and implemented without solar. What if I want to add PowerShare later? Will I have to replace my existing Gateway 3 (by adding a neutral forming transformer) or will I need to swap my Gateway 3 for a Gateway 3v?
Short answer: All Powerwall installs are ready for Powershare. Just need the software/firmware pushed. No need to swap the gateway out.
Long answer: Check out this video for the full story on Powershare. I cover compatibility at the 5:42 mark th-cam.com/video/MEr3syKYLH4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=N8wPFcJp_iYOARLY
Great video as usual. I do wish Tesla sent a text or e-mail notice during an outage. What if I'm not looking at my phone when the grid goes down?
Thank you Thomas! I agree, a text/email update would be a cool addition to have.
Excellent video! Do you service the Ashfork AZ area? I will be 100% off grid only. There is no electricity where I’m building yet. I did put in a request for a Tesla installer to contact me 3 weeks ago but nothing yet. Also interested in the solar roof instead of panels.
Thank you! Unfortunately, we only install grid-tied systems. To my knowledge, Tesla still doesn't allow their Powerwall system to be "off the grid".
@ the manufactured home I’m looking at has a “port” I guess it is called already installed. Would that help? Everyone is on solar out there with no grid and some of the houses are 4K square ft. Is there anyone that can install that system?
I was told by a Tesla rep that came to my house for an assessment that my Cybertruck will be used and looked at via the gateway as an additional battery. They also said I can use the truck and it will not void the warranty...no matter how much I use it to power the house
Not sure if you have this set up yet, but will your Cybertruck discharge any energy to the home when on-grid like a Powerwall? Or only when in a grid down situation?
My understanding is that the Cybertruck would only discharge to the home when an outage occurs. Maybe I’ll have to go buy one for testing purposes 🤪
Also, from what I understand, the Cybertruck cannot function as an additional battery in the traditional sense. It can only serve as backup power during a grid outage and *cannot export energy to the grid* for VPP or other purposes. The reason for this limitation is to prevent users from charging the Cybertruck at a different location and discharging it at home, which could create imbalances in energy distribution.
I hadn’t even considered your last point about VPP and charging at different locations. Very interesting!
This is Cathy's husband Larry - we are both amateur radio operators - we just installed a Tesla PowerWall 3 and solar panels to our condo. I am seeing significant radio frequency emissions at set frequency intervals of 250kHz across the high frequency spectrum into VHF spectrum - for example, I have an antenna for the 20 meter amateur band and there are signals at 14.00MHz, 14.250MHz, 14.500MHz, and so on. These disappear when the sun goes down and the panels are not producing power. Also, last evening, just 4 days after the install, our HOA complex power went out. Our power also went out even with the PowerWall set up I thought for backup power. When I tried to disconnect from the grid, the app stated that we had too many appliances connected (we did not) which exceeded the capacity of the PowerWall. Today, with power restored, I was able to disconnect from the grid without the over-capacity message warning. Any ideas?
For both of these scenarios, I'd reach out to your installer so they can troubleshoot this with you. I'd just be speculating on my end. Sorry, wish I had a better answer for you!
WoW. you rock!
If one has a single meter, but 400 amps service (2x200 amp legs) can it be set up to feed only one of the 2 legs? Does that require any special/expansive hardware?
Yes you can do what you described. The gateway can backup 200A. So if you wanted just one of the 200A panels backed up, then only 1 Gateway required. If you wanted for both to be backed up, then 2 Gateways would be required. You can’t use the backup switch on a 400A service either.
What is the benefit to use the gatway and not the backup switch
@@yossishtekler7599 No benefits. They both serve the same purpose to the system. Just different methods of doing it. The backup switch is going to be more affordable due to the labor/time savings.
Two quesitons... 1: I have an agricultural building that faces south and has a subpanel fed from the house via a 200A 250mcm 4 wire underground connection. If I put solar on the ag building would powerwalls also be installed in that building? How about the gateway - same building or back in the residence? Are additional wires required or does the solar and powerwall connect directly to the sub-panel in the ag building and back feed via the existing feed?
Second question: the residence has a 400A service with multiple 200a sub-panels feeding a different garage and two sub-panels in the house. Thus a backup solution would need to have multiple 200A gateways which is impractical. What is the potential for a future 400A gateway or 400A backup switch? The most practical solution for me would be solar on the ag building, powerwalls in the ag building and 400A gateway at the service entrance in the residence. Hopefully this could become possible. Thanks , great video! - Thomas
Thanks Thomas! I'm glad the video was helpful 👍
1) Both the Powerwall(s) and Gateway may be able to be installed on that building and backup that subpanel. My concern would be any utility pushback or AHJ restrictions with it being further away from the main. I'd find a local installer out there and see what their thoughts are.
2) I haven't heard anything about a 400A gateway or backup switch coming from Tesla, but I might be out of the loop. Installing 2 Gateways is the most common work around in this scenario.
Interesting that on question 15, you show the round trip efficiency of the Powerwall 3 as only 89%. I thought it was meant to be much higher, something like 97%. The Powerwall 2 was advertised as being 90%, but from my experience (dividing lifetime power out by power in), it's about 87%.
Yeah I was shocked to see it at 89% on the data sheet given the advertised efficiency of DC-coupled designs. I don't know if they are being overly conservative or what. The inverter efficiency is rated at 97.5% though.
@@ZachSolar I think some other TH-camrs have been confused when talking about the PW3 and have quoted that 97.5% as being the round trip efficiency, then comparing it to the 90% for the PW2. As I said I've found my PW2 to be about 87% efficient, but this doesn't include the original inverter loss from solar DC to AC which would make the PW3 look even better in comparison.
@@Pete856 Yeah 97.5% sounds way better, but that isn't accurate for RT efficiency according to the data sheets. My PW2 system sits at about 87% RT as well after 2 years. So 89%+ sounds right for a DC coupled PW3.
Zack, thank you for the video. I was wondering if there is any benefit besides financial between a PW3 with 2 expansion packs or two PW3 with 1 expansion pack thank you. We are PGE Customers
Glad it was helpful! The main benefit is just going to be power output. Once you achieve “whole home backup”, all you really need is more kWh so the expansion packs are a perfect solution that can save a few bucks. If the cost is close enough though, might as well get a powered unit IMO.
Is it ok to always charge PW3 to 100% ??
Oh yeah. Especially with that LFP chem, you don't need to baby them. Use them as you'd like.
Do you need a mppt with a Tesla 3?
The system’s inverter has 6 MPPTs included.
Great info No B.S
Thank you!
Can you charge your powerwall 3 and power your home at the same time with solar? Are there any strings attached to this?
Yes you can. Check out this clip at around 7:13 onward.
@@ZachSolar Thanks mate. Sorry one more question. I currently have a 11kw system with a 10kw SolarX inverter. When my SolarX inverted need to be removed?
@@dpg2004 You could do that and have the system restrung using the PW3 integrated inverter. I might consider that seeing as a single PW3 wouldn't be able to support that 10kW inverter when AC-coupled.
@@ZachSolar legend. Earned a sub.
@@dpg2004 Appreciate that!
It would be greaat if you could actually get them. I was supposed to get 2 installed in September, now they're talking January, maybe.
That’s a bummer! Is your installer Tesla direct or a 3rd party?
@@ZachSolar A 3rd party. The company that installed the Sunpower solar panels in 2018 no longer does solar. So I checked with Tesla and they recommended the installer for the Powerwall 3s. They were supposed to be installed in late September, then late October or early November. Now they're talking January or I can get Powerwall 2s installed in a couple of weeks.
Q: When the software update makes Powerwall-3 compatible with Powerwall-2, can the P3 DC Expansion be added to an existing P2 system, or is a regular P3 needed? For instance, if the current setup consists of three Powerwall-2 units on a 125A service panel and you want to expand storage capacity but Powerwall-2 units are no longer available.
Great question. Let me get confirmation. As a PW2 owner, I hope it could work. My concern is the fact the PW2 doesn’t have the same port the DC pack uses for wiring the batteries together. But perhaps there’d be a work around, however I feel a standard PW3 would be needed.
Unfortunately, DC-packs will require a PW3 to be installed. This is due to the DC-port on the expansion packs and the adapter that is used. It wouldn't be compatible with PW2.
What if i want more than 20KW of solar? If I want 4 powerwall 3s can I add more than 20KW?
100%. It's 20 kW max solar input per PW3.
The biggest question that I cant get an answer from anyone is solar curtailment. Can i via software automatically turn off the solar generation (eg if the grid price goes less than 0c/kwH)
Yes within the Tesla app you can disable permission to export. It won’t be automatic though based on a rate schedule. You’d have to manually toggle it on/off. You could use a 3rd party app like Netzero to set this automation though.
@@ZachSolar Hope Australian powerwall 3 has "permission to export" setting available :)
I was literally just quoted $75k-125K for a 3 Powerwall install with 10KW of solar.... Completely turned me off of Tesla for my in home backup. I'll likely be going Anker or Ecoflow due to this.
Unless you have a super complex project scope with electrical work, that’s insanity. How many quotes did you get?
@@ZachSolar Just the one from the company that contacted me from putting my info in Tesla's site. Not sure how else to find Tesla certified installers here in East TN.
Try this link: www.tesla.com/support/certified-installers
If no luck, go with another battery option. That’s way too expensive IMO
Looks like you were over quoted. I had Tesla install a 14.4 kWh system with one Powerwall 2 battery, in Northern VA, for around $42k about 2 years ago. PW2 batteries were 10k each at the time, so a system with 3 batteries would have been 62k.
Awesome video! Thank you! Have one PW2 and am seriously considering getting another if they cut the price. The PW3 comes with a built in inverter so figure the PW2 without an inverter should be discounted 😊
There is no official documentation from Tesla stating the Powerwall 3 is LFP - all of this stems from a rumor started by a now-deleted slide capture from a live presentation. If is was LFP Tesla would be crowing about it. They aren't.
I hear ya. All I can report on is what I hear from Tesla directly as an installer. Tbf, Tesla has never boasted about battery chem with either the Powerwalls or their vehicles. I know it's never been on their data sheets from previous PW generations, so this isn't something new. But you're welcome to be skeptical until this changes.
Just got one this week and it’s NOT LFP, it is Li-ion.
Well, LFP is literally a type of lithium-ion battery. But if by “Li-ion” you meant NMC, you’re incorrect. It’s been confirmed by Tesla reps to be LFP.
@@ZachSolar Then they should put that on the data plate.
I agree, that’d be nice to have clearly stated.
Great vid.
Thank you!