If you’re an Aussie in the market for a home solar battery, you’ll likely be considering the Tesla Powerwall. It’s arguably the most popular home battery on the market at the moment, but is it worth the hype? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons why the Powerwall is solar panel service Sydney’s favourite home battery and whether or not it’s worth the price tag.
Tesla – Making Green Tech Trendy
Tesla has been called the Apple of the clean energy world. From its electric cars to its integrated renewable energy solutions, the company has a reputation for creating products that are innovative, high-performing, sustainable and stylish. Tesla made electric cars cool – desirable even – and now it’s doing the same for home batteries.
Entering the market in 2015, the first-generation Powerwall took the energy storage world by surprise. The unique DC-coupled lithium battery had a modest 6.4kWh capacity and was the first high-voltage battery for home use. The second generation Powerwall 2 was released in 2016, with over double the storage capacity and an integrated battery inverter-charger giving it much more power and flexibility.
While still in its infancy in Australia, the home battery market is gaining momentum – and the data shows that most homeowners taking the leap are choosing a Tesla Powerwall.
Natural Solar reported a 400% increase in battery installs nationwide towards the end of 2021, with the majority opting for a Powerwall. Why? “That’s the product customers know about”, according to Natural Solar CEO Chris Williams.
There’s little doubt that Tesla is a marketing powerhouse, but with all the hype, is the Powerwall 2 really worth it? After all, they aren’t the cheapest option on the market.
Tesla Powerwall 2 Performance Specifications
| AC Voltage | 230V |
| Feed in Type | Single-phase |
| Grid Frequency | 50 Hz |
| Usable Energy | 13.5 kWh |
| Depth of Discharge | 100% |
| Real Power | Max continuous 5kW (charge & discharge) |
| Power Factor Output Range | +/- 1.0 (adjustable) |
| Internal battery DC Voltage | 50V |
| Round Trip Efficiency | 90% |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
Tesla Powerwall 2: Key Advantages
1. Increased solar self-consumption and energy independence
Energy independence is a hot topic in Australia right now. With fluctuating electricity prices, record-low feed-in-tariffs and the ever-present threat of blackouts, more and more homeowners are turning to solar and storage as a way to take control of their energy usage and bills.
The Powerwall’s massive capacity allows you to store your excess solar energy during the day and use it later when the sun goes down. Solar panels often generate more electricity than a home can use during the day when the sun is shining. With the Powerwall, you can store that energy reserve to power your home at night or for later use, instead of letting that clean power go to waste.
Even if you receive a feed-in tariff for energy sent back into the grid, using your own solar-generated energy is worth roughly twice as much as the tariff. The only way your home can keep all the energy it produces is with a battery backup system like the Tesla Powerwall 2.
2. Backup power capability during blackouts
One of the most enticing benefits of the Tesla Powerwall is to protect your home when disaster hits. If installed in combination with an additional ‘back-up’ component (at an additional cost), the Tesla Powerwall 2 can be designed to provide power during a blackout.
In the event of a grid outage, the Powerwall can automatically detect the power outage and disconnect from the grid. It will then provide backup power for your home for as long as there is stored energy in the battery – which can be up to several days depending on how much solar you have installed, and what essentials you want to power during the blackout event.
3. Monitor your energy usage and production
Each Powerwall installation includes a complete energy monitoring solution for your home. You can see how your home both produces and uses energy at any given time. Using the Tesla mobile app supported on android and iOS, you can monitor your home energy system in real-time and view the performance history of your Tesla Powerwall 2. The app is one of the simplest and easiest to use, with a user-friendly interface that allows users to switch the battery between 3 modes: Back-Up only, Self-powered and Time-based control.
Telsa Powerwall 2 Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| High quality build and components from reputable brand Excellent specifications including 100% depth of discharge Strong 10 year warranty support User-friendly app and interface Backup capability (with backup gateway) Ability to ‘stack’ multiple batteries for higher capacity liquid thermal management system Sleek, minimalist design with indoor/outdoor mounting options |
One of the most expensive batteries on the market: cost A$14,000 to $16,000 fully installed (2022) Long payback period (limited ROI) Possible waiting period due to limited supply Not compatible with 3-phase applications Requires addtional backup gateway to provide backup power which increases cost |
Is the Tesla Powerwall 2 Worth it?
The Tesla Powerwall 2 is among the most advanced and reliable battery storage units on the market – but that distinction comes at a cost. While it is one of the most pricey batteries available, the Powerwall’s high-tech features, build quality and ease-of-use make it well worth the price tag for many Australians.
It’s important to understand that home batteries are still an expensive investment and are unlikely to pay for themselves within the warranty period at this stage – however, like many purchases in life, buying a battery isn’t just about the economics.
Not only are you reducing your household’s carbon footprint – you’re also future-proofing yourself. Being more independent from the grid gives you, your family and/or your business the assurance that you will always have access to a reliable source of energy. Maybe you don’t need the excess energy now but you will in the near future. Should you eventually invest in an electric vehicle (over 50% of Australian’s are intending to buy an EV as their next new car purchase), then installing a battery means you are set up and ready go.
Whether or not you’re ready to take the leap and buy a home battery is a personal decision. However, if you’re looking for a high-quality, feature-rich battery – the Tesla Powerwall 2 is a compelling option.
Other great home battery options to consider:
Our professional solar installers in Brisbane will assess and determine your energy needs. We customise a solar panel system in Brisbane to fit the roof size of your properly, ensuring you receive the most suitable a solar panel system for you Brisbane home, meeting to property’s energy requirements.
