Pondering the question “Is Tesla Powerwall worth it” (the investment) has an answer often as individual as one’s self. However, it’s possible to assess whether Powerwall is worth the investment for your circumstance based on three fundamental aspects; Cost, Value and Time. Each of these we explore in detail to determine if Powerwall is, indeed, worth it.
Contents
There are plenty of complex case studies on the internet available to assist purchasers in determining if Powerwall is worth it, but each is subjective to certain variables and assumptions not relevant to your unique scenario, energy use, energy plan and future energy increases (if you know this, please tell us). But at PSW, we like to keep things simple yet evaluated. Here’s our secret formula.
Is a Tesla Powerwall worth it = (Cost ÷ Time) + Value
Final Call: A Tesla Powerwall rebate of $750 is available for all Powerwalls installed and registered between August 11 and December 31, 2023. Customers must claim their rebate by January 31, 2024.
Cost
Cost alone for determining if Tesla Powerwall is worth it is ambitious to discern without evaluating Value and Time. Value and time gives Cost context. A 3D picture in of an otherwise one-dimensional question if Cost is evaluated alone.
Time
Time is an underpinning component of every return on investment calculation. But here’s the thing, Time is personal, and there is no set format; minutes, hours, days, months or years. How much Time offers a good return on investment if the Value within the period exceeds it?
Value
What value add on’s does Powerwall and its installation deliver you? The most obvious answer is energy savings, but we’ve delved deeper into the Tesla ecosystem and what the installed package can deliver on considered value traits. In a wonderfully itemised format, you can decide which Powerwall value traits are of extra value in your scenario.
Competitive and fast Tesla Powerwall quote for your home. Perth & Bunbury region, Western Australia. No hard-sell guarantee.
Now you’re aware of where this post is heading to determine if a Tesla Powerwall is worth it, here’s a quick overview to put some key numbers into perspective. Everybody’s energy consumption habits are different, but there are selected energy usage similarities many will relate to. Consider 6.6kW the most common residential solar energy system size in Australia for energy production;
- 6.6kW solar array generates an annual daily average of 30 kWh (units).
- Powerwall stores 13.5 kWh (units) – almost half of a 6.6 kW generation capacity.
- Most suburban homes energy consumption occurs in the afternoon/evening/night.
- Powerwall is perfectly sized to accommodate average daily energy demands outside of sunlight hours.
- Less than 13.5 kWh energy storage capacity can be underwhelming, especially if considering blackout protection options.
Value: Powerwall & Gateway
To determine the value of Powerwall’s capabilities, it’s vital to understand the key components that comprise a Tesla Powerwall battery system: Tesla Powerwall and the Tesla Gateway.
Powerwall 2
Potentially the most well-thought-out battery design currently available, Powerwall presents one 13.5 kWh battery model that can be multiplied based on storage requirements. With a set storage capacity, unlike alternative modular solar batteries, Powerwall can potentially exclude selected customers who have minimal storage requirements.
The Tesla Powerwall 2 is an AC-coupled solar battery compatible with almost all existing solar energy systems. Integrated within Powerwall 2 are lithium chemistry Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery cells, an advanced liquid cooling system for an improved thermal runway and a 5 kW single-phase battery inverter. However, the true potential of the Tesla Powerwall 2 become apparent via an unsung hero, the Tesla Gateway.
Gateway 2
Tesla’s Gateway is where the magic of what you expect from Powerwall occurs. Beyond energy storage, end-user expectation suggests that the lights should stay on when the power goes out. Gateway facilitates this. You may want to charge Powerwall at night when a low off-peak tariff is available and have Powerwall fully charges for the morning’s activity. Gateway controls this.
Need to monitor and manage consumption habits to aid energy-saving opportunities further? Along with the Tesla Monitoring App, Gateway monitors solar production, grid supply and energy storage for an all-in-one energy management suite. Welcome to Tesla’s energy ecosystem.
Store
Powerwall- 13.5 kWh storage
- AC coupled
- Inbuilt 5 kW battery inverter
- Liquid cooling system
- IP 67
- 1150 (h) x 753 (w) x 147 (d) mm
- 114 kg
Control
Gateway- Blackout protection options
- Supports up to 10 x Powerwall's
- WiFi/ ethernet connectivity
- Tesla App monitoring software
- Indoor & outdoor rated
- 660 (h) x 411 (w) x 149 (d) mm
- 20.4 kg
Value Capabilities
Powerwall’s superior energy density and combined with the intelligence of Gateway, there is potentially greater value to be had than energy savings alone.
- Store excess solar energy for later use
- Cloud obstruction savings
- Energy rate protection
- Power supply stability
- Remote energy monitoring
- Tesla Ecosystem Hub
- Enhanced Tesla EV charger features
- Storm management
- Blackout protection
- Smart Tariff Utilisation
- Improve property value & appeal
Powerwall, Gateway and the Tesla Monitoring App arguably produce one of the most well-engineered energy management products at every level when considering all aspects of hardware, firmware, and software. Undoubtedly, the latest technology within the Tesla Powerwall battery system is now the benchmark all strive to be.
Time: Powerwall warranty
Most users will fall into the first row below; Solar self-consumption/ backup only. As such, Powerwall provides an outstanding 10 year, unlimited cycle warranty with no less than 70% or (9.45 kWh) storage capacity available at year 10.
| Application | Energy Retention1 | Operating Limitation |
|---|---|---|
Solar self-consumption/ backup only2 | 70% at 10 years following initial installation date | Unlimited cycles |
Any other application or combination of applications | 70% at 10 years following initial installation date | 37 MWh of aggregate throughput3 |
1 Expressed as a % of 13.5 kWh rated capacity.
2 Storing solar energy generated by an onsite array, and using that stored solar energy (i) for daily self-consumption and/or (ii) for use as backup power.
3 Measured at the battery AC output.
From what we’ve seen previously, Tesla is one of the most proactive companies on continuous improvements with operating firmware in vehicles and home battery systems to extend battery/ operational life. For all intents and purposes for the subject of Time to determine: “Is a Tesla Powerwall worth it” we’ll factor in the guaranteed 10 year period and nothing more, even if the likelihood is greater savings beyond the nominated warranty period.
Download the Powerwall 2 warranty ›
Thinking of getting a Powerwall in the Perth and Bunbury region? Try our hassle-free express solar quote as a comparison.
Time: Lifespan of Powerwall
The warranty is 10 years, however, a correctly installed Powerwall, considering all influencing environmental factors, should remain operational well beyond the nominated warranty period. Lifespan within any battery system is often associated directly with local environmental factors and installation—a reason why Tesla promotes a two Tier installer identification program.
Consider two certified Telsa Powerwall installers broken into two distinct categories. Tier 1: Tesla Certified Premium Installer, with frequent product experience, updates and individual job auditing by Tesla engineers. Tier 2: Tesla Certified Installers, a one-off training program as an installer introduction to Powerwall with reduced ongoing installer review requirements. Selecting a certified Tesla Premium Installer such as PSW Energy considers and mitigates the effects of local installation impeding factors that can reduce an energy system’s life over time.
Installed correctly and with minimal performance degrading factors, the lifespan of Tesla Powerwall can be considered in excess of 15 years. Although, nobody really know’s until the real-world time surpasses.
Tier 1
Certified Premium Installer- Frequent Powerwall association
- Frequent product installation
- Pro's app verified - Tesla reviewed
- Installed to Tesla guidelines
Tier 2
Certified Installer- Less frequent association
- Less frequent product installation
- Pro's app not mandatory
- Installed to Tesla guidelines
If Powerwall is not handled or installed to Tesla guidelines, your Tesla warranty is void, and the system lifespan may be severely reduced. Use a dedicated and certified Tesla Premium Installer (2023).
Value: Local requirements
Tesla Powerwall 2 is an international product made available for a local market. However, Tesla needs local technicians for implementation and support who understand local performance factors. Therefore, you need a suitably qualified technician as a minimum to install Powerwall. As mentioned, you can discern a local organisation’s Tesla proficiency by its certification type.
Base-level
A vehicle licence won’t qualify a winning Formula 1 position, and neither does base-level certifications for energy products. For installing a Tesla Powerwall 2 in Western Australia the base-level requirements for commissioning and activation are:
- Electrical Contractors licence.
- Electrical Workers licence.
- Tesla-certified training.
Without ongoing hands-on experience and in-depth product knowledge, all the certifications and licences in the world mean nothing when ensuring value from an energy investment. Tesla possesses one of the best customer support teams for the Powerwall product, however, even Tesla understands that you need locally based ground-level experts for enduring satisfaction. Precisely the reason Tesla promotes the Tesla-certified premium installer network for improved local customer satisfaction.
Premium
Ever noticed how Tesla doesn’t advertise? That’s because the experience is so great customers can’t help but refer the product, and it’s the reasoning behind Tesla’s Premium Certified Installer recognition. Local installation companies with a reputation for outperforming general product and service expectations. A certification calibre where anything short of exceptional is considered a failure. An opportunity to safeguard your ultimate Powerwall experience.
Beyond base-level requirements, Tesla Powerwall Certified Premium installation businesses are subject to ongoing scrutiny of works to ensure high-end Powerwall value to exceed expectations:
- Good trading history.
- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- Organisation financial assessments.
- Tesla direct shipping – reduced manhandling.
- Commitment to improving product knowledge and standards.
- Individual job recording/ auditing (Tesla Pro’s App verified).
- Tesla goals.
- After-care customer options for local support.
Tesla Australia – “We have partnered with Certified Installers who are trained to install Powerwall and adhere to strict quality, permitting and inspection requirements.”
Cost: How much is Powerwall
As a product with variable installation types, the cost of an installed Tesla Powerwall varies. In Perth, Western Australia, a package including the supply and installation of a Powerwall 2 with Gateway 2, starts from $13,990 and often ranges to $14,990, depending on the installation requirements or difficulty.
Solar batteries are generally more appropriately priced per kWh (the unit of storage capacity) than per battery. Such a gauge creates a more reflective price for relative energy storage capacity value. In this instance, the Tesla Powerwall 2 costs between $1036 – $1110 per kWh of energy storage units installed (e.g. $13990 ÷ 13.5 kWh = $1036 per kWh).
To put the above into perspective, a seemingly cheap alternative brand 6 kWh battery which may cost $6000, is almost identical in cost to a Tesla home battery system on a cost per kWh with what is most likely to possess a lot fewer features.
Variables will inevitably exist between installations. Powerwall 2 costs will often be less if customers already have an existing Tesla Gateway installed or purchased as part of an expanded solar package. Log in to the PSW store for available discounts and gain access to some of the most competitive Tesla Powerwall 2 system prices with the added assurance of shopping through a Tesla Certified Premium Installer (2023).
Tesla Powerwall 2
$12,490.00 – $14,490.00Tesla Wall Connector EV charger
$770.00 – $1,990.00
PSW Energy is a Tesla Powerwall certified reseller/ installer within the Perth, Mandurah and Bunbury region, Western Australia and we now stock the Tesla 3rd Generation Wall Connector for your one-place home energy product shopping convenience.
Is Tesla Powerwall worth it?
In most instances, yes, Tesla Powerwall is worth the cost. If it couldn’t meet the expectations of early adopters or failed to deliver value to discerning investors, Powerwall wouldn’t be the energy storage disruptor we all know the name of. There will always be few that want cheaper, but what point constitutes cheaper? Powerwall has already halved its cost per kWh since its initial release. With energy storage supply chain and production costs now stable among all manufacturers globally, further cost reductions are unlikely. The question now shifts to Value for the Time at approximately $1000 kWh.
With a capable solar energy system feeding Powerwall and calculated by energy savings alone at the current electricity rate, the return on investment is approx. 7.5 years. Although this particular aspect of value fails to consider the variable world and that Powerwall is much more than an energy-saving mechanism. Determine if Powerwall delivers extra value to any of the below variable instances;
- Electricity rate increases. The cost of energy is rising globally, this affects local prices. Powerwall provides guaranteed energy security for 10 years.
- Improved energy stability. Grid stability varies with environmental extremes/weather. Powerwall has blackout protection options.
- Energy control. Remotely view and adjust home energy use in real time with the Tesla mobile app.
- Smart Tariff options. Use the unlimited warranted cycles of Powerwall to recharge on lower-cost evening tariffs for additional use before the sun rises.
- Unlimited warranted cycles. You’re not limited to one cycle per day. Powerwall also accommodates cloudy periods throughout the day, buffering grid dependence.
- Always on. Stay connected and keep your most important appliances on 24/7: fridge/freezer, pumps, WiFi, lights, and smart device charging.
- Business work productivity. The tools to your success are often powered appliances, Powerwall keeps your productivity uninterrupted.
- Improved investment value. Sustainable energy appliances improve the appeal of a home for prospective buyers and ensure a competitive edge while adding potential capital value while enjoying energy independence along the journey.
When configured precisely, Powerwall is an entire home energy management solution built to keep your modern life moving. If that make’s Powerwall worth it for your scenario, we’re invested as much as you are. Powerwall question? Contact Sales Support ›
