Tesla Powerwall Costs: What to Know Before You Buy
A Tesla Powerwall costs an average of $11,500 per unit including installation. Multiple Powersalls or replacement gateways cost $8,500 to $32,500.
Tesla Powerwall costs $8,500 to $32,500 including installation for a one- to four- battery setup. But you’ll also need to consider additional costs, like hardware, new electrical systems, and solar panels. If you purchase multiple Tesla Powerwalls, you’ll pay less per unit. You can also save up to 30% on the cost of installing a Tesla Powerwall thanks to the Residential Clean Energy Credit, which is a federal solar tax credit.
Tesla Powerwall Cost Breakdown
You can harness the power of the sun, save on energy costs, and reduce your home's carbon footprint with a Tesla Powerwall solar battery. Certain factors, such as hardware, size, and more can affect the final cost.
Take a look at the cost breakdown for these solar battery installations.
| Component | 1 – 2 Powerwalls | 3 – 4 Powerwalls |
|---|---|---|
| Powerwall Battery | $11,500 – $18,500 | $25,500 – $32,500 |
| Gateway | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Total Cost | $13,300 – $20,300 | $27,300 – $34,300 |
Gateway
A backup Gateway from Tesla costs $1,800. The Tesla Gateway controls the home energy system’s connection to the grid, monitors energy use, detects outages, and transitions your home to backup power as needed.
Installation Cost
If you purchase a Powerwall from Tesla with its complete solar system, the installation is included in the $11,500 cost of the Powerwall. However, since Tesla doesn’t sell individual Powerwalls, you will need to find a certified third-party seller and installer to purchase a Powerwall. When purchasing from a third party, you are subject to whatever that company charges for installation, which usually starts around $3,000 plus about $8,500 for the Powerwall itself, not including additional hardware.
Solar and Powerwall Tax Credit
If you purchase a solar system and one or more Powerwalls, you may be eligible for the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) as long as the system is installed by the end of 2034. According to Tesla, systems can qualify for up to a 30% tax credit depending on the year they’re installed.
| Installation Year | Tax Credit |
|---|---|
| 2022 – 2032 | 30% |
| 2033 | 26% |
| 2034 | 23% |
Why are these timelines important? Since Tesla transitioned to selling Tesla Powerwalls only with solar systems, installation wait times have been longer—sometimes as long as a year. The tax credit is slated to expire after 2034, so it’s essential to have your installation done if you plan to take full advantage of the federal solar tax credit.
Tesla Powerwall Cost by Size
While a standard single battery costs $11,500, the unit cost decreases for larger systems. The average home can manage with one Powerwall, but this will likely only give power backup for one day and won't be able to run demanding appliances for long, such as an AC unit.
| Number of Powerwalls | Price per Powerwall | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11,500 | $11,500 |
| 2 | $9,250 | $18,500 |
| 3 | $8,500 | $25,500 |
| 4 | $8,125 | $32,500 |
| 5 | $8,100 | $40,500 |
| 6 | $8,085 | $48,500 |
| 7 | $8,075 | $56,500 |
| 8 | $8,065 | $64,500 |
| 9 | $8,060 | $72,500 |
| 10 | $8,050 | $80,500 |
Tesla Battery Specs
Before you buy a Tesla Powerwall, make sure you know how it will work in your home. From making sure it will meet your home’s energy demands to the Powerwall’s energy efficiency, here are the important battery specs to note before buying.
Chemistry
Like most solar batteries, the Tesla Powerwall and Powerwall+ are lithium-ion batteries with lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li-NMC) chemistry. This engineering ensures durability and lasting performance, and in combination with the 13.5 kWh capacity, the Tesla Powerwall is a reliable energy source for both high energy demand and grid outages.
Power Output
The Tesla Powerwall 2 output includes 5.8 kW of continuous power or 10 kW of peak power. The continuous power is how much the solar battery can release over a period of time and will help you determine how many appliances you can run at once on the battery power. The peak power refers to the highest amount of energy the solar battery can supply in a short time period.
Battery Depth of Discharge
Tesla Powerwall has a 100% depth of discharge (DoD), which is the amount of battery discharged compared to the battery capacity. Most solar batteries have a limited DoD of 80% to 100%, which can help the battery extend its lifespan.
Efficiency
The Tesla Powerwall has a round-trip efficiency of 90%, which is slightly more than the average round-trip efficiency, 80%, of a common solar battery. Round-trip efficiency refers to the amount of energy that is stored and then retrieved later. The higher the efficiency number, the less energy the solar battery needs for itself to run (AKA giving you more bang for your buck).
Compatibility
This product is widely compatible with many existing brand-name solar power systems and solar inverters, so you don’t have to purchase an entire solar system from Tesla if you already have solar panels in good working condition. Tesla doesn’t sell Powerwalls separately, however, so you’ll still have to purchase at least a Tesla solar panel if not an entire solar roof package if you can’t find a third-party seller.
Warranty
Tesla Powerwall has a 10-year comprehensive warranty to cover claims relating to the Powerwall, solar inverter, roof mounting and leaks. The company also offers a 25-year panel performance warranty for solar panels.
Total Price of a Tesla Powerwall Setup
The final costs of a Tesla Powerwall setup are substantially higher than the cost of the batteries and their installation alone. That's because, as of 2022, Tesla Powerwalls are not sold separately and are only available to purchase as part of a Tesla solar package, either a panel system or a solar roof system.
Consider the following costs for a typical home in Florida with a roof size of 2,200 square feet. Remember that local incentives and rebates vary significantly, so the price you'll pay for a similarly sized system will depend on your location.
Panel System
A small Tesla solar panel system with 4.80 kW panels and one Powerwall will set you back about $23,550 before incentives and rebates. After discounts have been applied, you can expect to pay $16,500 or less, depending on your location. Based on low to moderate household energy consumption, this provides an estimated energy offset of 55%. It can provide enough energy storage for one day of power backup, but it won't be enough to power large 240V appliances for extended periods.
For the same size home with higher energy consumption or with more off-grid or back-up requirements, you can purchase a Tesla solar system with 19.20kW panels and four Powerwalls. This will set you back $80,700 before discounts and, depending on your location, $56,500 or less after those rebates and incentives are applied.
A system of this size provides a 200% energy offset for a mid to heavy-energy-use household, so even after filling the batteries, you may be able to sell excess power back to the local utility provider to further maximize your savings. This solar system size will also provide enough stored energy for a 12-day home backup, even if running multiple large appliances.
Roof System
A small solar roof system costs about $60,000 before incentives and $42,000 or less after. For a property of this size, that system would include one Powerwall and an 8.67Kw solar shingle roof for a 100% (or more) energy offset. This system would provide up to three days of home power backup, but you'd struggle to run large appliances for long periods.
A bigger system with more storage would cost $80,000 before discounts and $60,000 or less after. This includes four Powerwall units and an 8.67Kw solar shingle roof. It would provide a 100% or more energy offset and a 12-day high-energy consumption home backup.
Potential Savings of a Tesla Powerwall
Your home location can reduce the cost of installing the solar panel system. For example, in California, you may qualify for a rebate of up to 15% to 20% of the cost per Powerwall as part of the Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). Plus, under the Equity and Equity Resiliency programs, vulnerable and low-income homeowners can qualify for a discount of $850 to $1,000 per kWh, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.
Other state incentives vary, however, so make sure to talk to your local solar installer who will be familiar with solar installation incentives in your area.
As far as savings on utility costs, a typical homeowner can save between $200 and $400 in electricity costs per year. This depends on factors such as the electricity rate in your area and your average energy consumption.
Ongoing Costs
Beyond the upfront costs, a few more expenses can add to the lifetime bill of a Tesla Powerwall.
Financing
Many homeowners opt to finance their Tesla Powerwall purchase. This means monthly payments for between a few years and even a few decades and, depending on your credit and loan agreement, a certain percentage of your payment toward interest.
Maintenance
Proper care of your Tesla Powerwall can help maintain its performance and improve its lifespan. The Tesla Powerwall and solar packages themselves don’t have any required maintenance. To ensure optimal function and keep your system clean and debris-free, Tesla recommends routine roof cleaning, which costs between $295 and $625.
Tesla Powerwall vs. Other Popular Solar Battery Brands
The upfront costs of Tesla Powerwalls may seem high, but they generally offer greater storage capacity and continuous power output when compared to the cost of other solar batteries.
Tesla Powerwall vs. Generac PWRcell
| Price Factors | Tesla Powerwall | Generac PWRcell |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10,500 | $10,000+ |
| Storage Capacity | 13.5 kWh | 9+ kWh |
| Continuous Power | 5.6 kW | 3.4+ kW |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Size | 45.3 x 29.6 x 5.75 inches | 22 x 10 x 68 inches |
| Weight | 251.3 pounds | 287+ pounds |
| Monitoring | Tesla app | PWRview app |
Tesla Powerwall vs. Enphase Encharge 10
| Price Factors | Tesla Powerwall | Enphase Encharge 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10,500 | $18,000+ |
| Storage Capacity | 13.5 kWh | 10.08 kWh |
| Continuous Power | 5.6 kW | 3.84 kW |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Size | 45.3 x 29.6 x 5.75 inches | 42.13 x 26.14 x 12.56 inches |
| Weight | 251.3 pounds | 341 pounds |
| Monitoring | Tesla app | Enlighten Manager and MyEnlighten app |
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Although many home improvement projects are DIY-able, installing a Tesla Powerwall isn’t one of them. Tesla requires solar power installers to be certified for Powerwall installation to ensure they follow the correct installation procedures. Certification ensures that installers are up to date with industry and Tesla standards.
Before confirming your purchase and installation, make sure to have a list of any questions you may have for the solar power installation company, such as estimated costs or installation time.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Tesla Powerwall comes with a standard 10-year warranty that guarantees the unit will provide at least 80% power during this period. After this time, a Powerwall may continue to operate, even if at a reduced capacity for another 10 to 15 years. Other factors can affect the long-term performance and durability of your Powerwall, such as energy consumption and how often you charge the battery.
Yes, Tesla Powerwalls are worth the upfront costs, as you can recoup your investment within six to eight years. Plus, they provide peace of mind that you'll have power during a power outage, and, depending on the system you install, you can become energy-independent. While they may be more expensive than other solar power systems, they offer higher battery capacity and lifespan.
When combined with a substantial solar system, if you have enough Powerwalls, you could go off-grid and be energy independent. But remember, you'd need enough Powerwalls to power your whole home continuously because a single Powerwall can’t power large appliances for extended periods. One Powerwall is able to power an average-sized home's emergency circuits, lights, and outlets. To power large appliances, you likely need two or three Powerwalls.
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