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The Tesla Powerwall 3 was released in 2024 for homes in the continental US. It’s available throughout the US, including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. When we first saw it at the RE+ trade show, there weren’t many details. But with Powerwalls set to account for half of home battery installations in 2023, we know this is a big development in home batteries. We rated the Tesla Powerwall 2 highly on our list of solar batteries, citing its versatile features . So how does the latest edition perform?
Tesla Powerwall 2 vs. Tesla Powerwall 3
Tesla says The Powerwall 3 is “designed to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy.” While both designs focus on an easy installation process and compatibility with solar panel systems, Tesla Powerwall 3 Design has a bigger impact. Powerwall 3 can power larger appliances than its predecessor, so you may not need as many batteries to back up your home. The increased power capacity and whole-home battery storage can better support grid reliability during periods of high demand, such as summer highs.
In contrast, the Powerwall 2 is best for partial backup or light commercial use. If you want to cover your entire home’s energy usage with the Powerwall 2 model, you’ll probably need to buy more than one unit.
Both systems effectively support renewable energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions when combined with solar panels. In some states, such as California, your energy rates may encourage battery adoption. If you don’t have solar panels on your roof, you can still use battery backup to power your home during an outage, thus reducing your energy bill.
How much does the Tesla Powerwall 3 cost?
When you order directly through Tesla’s websiteyou can expect to pay a minimum of $9,300 for one unit, excluding additional taxes and installation fees. The cost of taxes will vary depending on your location, and installation fees will vary by installer.
Tesla used to provide a cost breakdown, including estimated taxes and installation costs. Now, you just get the cost of the battery before you provide any more personal information. Waiting for a company to contact you with a price isn’t ideal (although it’s common practice in the industry), so hopefully this feature will change. I went through those steps and within a minute I received an email notification that a Tesla Certified Installer would be in touch with pricing information and how to complete my Powerwall order. Contact from an installer isn’t instant.
You can save money on a Tesla Powerwall 3 by taking advantage of the 30% federal solar tax credit. This one incentive reduces the total cost of one unit to $6,510. There may be additional rebates or incentives in your state to further offset the cost.
If you buy more than one Powerwall, Tesla offers a discount. You can connect up to four units.
Tesla Powerwall 3 Price
not defined
| Number of units | Price | Price after federal tax deduction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8,400 | $6,510 |
| 2 | $17,500 | $12,250 |
| 3 | $25,700 | $17,990 |
| 4 | $33,900 | $23,730 |
| 5 | $42,100 | $29,470 |
| 6 | $50,300 | $35,210 |
Things to Consider
Tesla is a leading company in the solar battery space, but consider the following before purchasing the Tesla Powerwall 3.
- Compatibility: The Tesla Powerwall 3 is not compatible with the Powerwall 2. If you already have previous Powerwall models and want to expand the capacity, you will need to install a Powerwall 2.
- Location: If you live in California and are covered by NEM 2.0, adding the Tesla Powerwall 3 to your current solar system is considered a design change and you must enroll in NEM 3.0.
Tesla Powerwall 3 Battery Specifications
not defined
| Energy capacity | 13.5 kWh |
|---|---|
| Maximum continuous discharge capacity | 11.5 kW |
| Maximum continuous charging capacity | 5 kW |
| Charging start option | 185 amps |
| Scalability | Up to four units |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Tips for buying solar batteries
Solar batteries are expensive, but they can provide more value than just power outages. Here is a list of resources to help you shop for a solar battery:
