A Tesla Powerwall is one option for a home battery backup system, either with or without solar panels installed.
A battery backup system like the Powerwall made by Tesla is a great way to add additional functionality to a home or commercial electrical system. It can store energy (from either the grid or a solar panel installation) so you can use it when it makes sense — either during an outage or when power from the grid is more expensive.
Due to the needs of electric vehicles, battery technology has made amazing gains over the past few years, offering more power, much longer life, increased functionality, and even lower cost. As such, Cromwell Solar’s recommendation about battery backup systems have moved from “wait and see” to “now’s the time.”
Battery backup systems no longer need to include solar installations (although they pair nicely with solar) and since 2023 can receive a 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit with or without solar.
What Is a Tesla Powerwall?
One of the most popular battery backups on the market is the Tesla Powerwall product line including Tesla Powerwall 2, the Powerwall+, and coming soon the Powerwall 3. The advantage of a battery backup system like the Powerwall is it provides backup power in case of outages, potential energy savings under time-of-use electric rates, and home energy control and monitoring.
A Tesla Powerwall with electric vehicle charger installed by Cromwell Solar in a residential garage.
Making use of new battery and computer technology and pairing that with a simple smartphone app, Tesla Powerwalls were in a class of their own when they first debuted. While today other brands of battery systems that Cromwell Solar is certified to sell and install can now compete with the Powerwall (such as the Generac PWRcell, Enphase IQ, Sol-ark, and the soon-to-be-made-in-Kansas Panasonic EverVolt), Tesla is still the dominant player in the battery backup market and a solid choice for our customers.
Benefits of a Tesla Powerwall
Cromwell Solar has the distinction of being the first Midwestern-authorized installer of Tesla Powerwalls. We had the honor of installing the very first Powerwall in the Midwest — actually, the first outside of California or Hawaii. Additionally, we assisted Tesla in the testing of commercial applications for the Powerwall when we installed one of the very first commercial Powerwall installations ever at our own office in Lawrence, Kansas.
Three Tesla Powerwalls back up the Cromwell Solar office and warehouse in Lawrence, Kansas.
Our office Tesla Powerwall installation has been working flawlessly for years, providing our office and warehouse with seamless, uninterrupted power. When our neighbors lose power, we can keep working as our Powerwall will take over from the grid so fast that our computers don’t even turn off (unlike a generator which takes a few seconds to kick in — long enough to lose your work). We just notice a little flicker in the lights. With power outages occurring twice as often today as they used to, having a backup power system at your office or home is more essential than ever.
While other battery systems have caught up with Powerwall, it was the first system that allowed users to program when it charged and discharged through an easy-to-use app on a smartphone. Other battery systems have copied the basic form of the Tesla app showing power flow as it is so intuitive.
The Tesla Powerwall App showing battery backup charge level and usage.
Using a Tesla Powerwall for Time-of-Use Metering
The beauty of this programmability is that, if your utility uses “time-of-use” electric rate, you can charge your Powerwall up with cheap power in the middle of the night and use that power during the day when electricity is more expensive. This practice is often referred to as a time-of-use rate. When using a Powerwall to lower your electricity costs, you can even set a rule to keep some power reserved in case of outages and, if you’d like the option, it can even increase the reserves if the app notices a storm is forecast!
Cromwell Solar is happy to install a Powerwall whether you have solar or not. If you have solar panels installed, a Powerwall is one of the most versatile options for a solar battery. Most solar installers are not actually very proficient at the technicalities of combining batteries and solar or generators so please make sure you are using an installer with a proven track record in this area — Cromwell is often asked to fix a solar or battery backup system that others tried and failed to install correctly.
Learn more about our battery systems.
Cromwell is happy to add a Powerwall to an existing solar project, whether we installed the system originally or not. If you don’t have solar yet, a Powerwall is a great option as it is easy to add solar later. Some Powerwall models like the Powerwall+ and the Powerwall 3 even include a solar inverter.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Tesla Powerwall?
When giving a free estimate for a home or business for a Tesla Powerwall, we look at the electrical demand of the building, how much backup power is desired, and the state of the existing electrical system to determine the number of batteries needed and the price. Tesla Powerwalls are very scalable and we can install a system that includes anywhere from 1 to 10 connected Powerwalls, depending on the needs and desires of the customer. So, your Tesla Powerwall cost can vary depending on your needs and situation.
In the past we had a wait list for Tesla Powerwalls but today, due to increased production, we have plenty of Powerwalls in stock in the Cromwell Solar warehouse and ready to install. So contact us today for a free estimate for your home, farm, or commercial Powerwall needs.