The renewable energy industry is abuzz with news that the Tesla Powerwall 3 is not only in the works but has been installed on a few properties in the USA!
Little has been known about the Powerwall 3, the next generation of the Tesla Powerwall battery series. Industry insiders have been scrambling for details for months, but news of the recent installs has confirmed many rumours and put to rest wild theories and expectations.
What do we know about the Tesla Powerwall 3?
The Tesla Powerwall 2 has been a top seller since its inception in 2016. Featuring 13.5kWh of storage capacity, the home battery has been a favourite for its features and name. The Tesla Powerwall 3 is expected to be much the same as its predecessor, though with improvements to its maximum power output. The company’s CEO, Elon Musk, re-shared on X (formerly Twitter) the recent installations on 3 homes. He also confirmed that the Powerwall 3 will be optimised for ‘ease of installation and high power’.
PW3 is optimized for ease of installation & high power, which means that a single Powerwall can serve as an uninterruptible power supply for most homes.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 8, 2023
This is a big deal for ensuring that the lights stay on and you can power all your devices in the event of a power outage.
Shared on the Tesla Motor Club were some details from the installation, including photos taken of the unit itself and the specifications.
What we know:
| Battery | Storage Capacity (kWh) | Battery Type | Max Output (kW) | Dimensions | Weight |
| Powerwall 2 | 13.5kWh | Lithium Ion | 5.8 – 7.6 (peak) | 115 cm × 75 cm × 14 cm | 114 kg |
| Powerwall 3 | 13.5kWh | Prismatic Lithium Ion Phosphate | 11.55 – 15.4* (peak) | 109 cm × 61 cm × 18 cm | 130 kg |
On the surface, there does not seem to be too many differences between the Powerwall 2 and 3. However, the maximum continuous output increase to 11.55kW (currently 5.8kW continuous or 7kW peak for the Powerwall 2) would be a game changer for the battery. This would mean that, in the event of power loss to the home, the battery would be able to provide more continuous power and run more appliances.
Tesla Powerwall image: Tesla
It can also be assumed, though not confirmed, that the battery will also serve as an inverter. If confirmed, this would be incredible news for homes looking to purchase a new solar system. A separate inverter would not be necessary, which would cut down on the overall cost of the system (battery + solar). We assume that this will be the case as the pictured installation of the Powerwall 3 shows that the unit includes a rapid shutdown for PV, which is a feature designed for inverters and not batteries.
What we don’t know:
While the recent news has given us some insight into what we can expect from the Powerwall 3, there are still many details that we are uncertain about:
- Whether the pictured Powerwall 3 will be available in Australia or there will be a variant
- When the Powerwall 3 will be available for Australians
- Whether the battery will have inverter integration
- The cost of the system
- Warranty period
For the time being, we will need to look across to the USA for news on the Tesla Powerwall 3. However, the recent discounts offered by Tesla for the Powerwall 2 would indicate that the production of the unit will be tapered for the release of the Powerwall 3. Like all things Tesla, we can expect an upcoming unveiling that will deliver all the information we need.
Why a solar battery should be on your agenda
If you already have a solar system, solar battery storage is the next step in energy independence. While batteries are usually a very expensive addition to a home, the benefits can be viewed as an investment. Finding out that your street is experiencing a blackout will likely be from a chat with your neighbour as your battery will seamlessly provide you power when your street has gone dark. Storing all the excess energy your solar produces will make use of the sun long after it has set.
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