Has anyone had luck getting Tesla to budge on the new policy of only fulfilling powerwall orders with a new system, and not being able to add to an existing system? I placed an order for a 4kw system with powerwall but I don’t have the space for the panels after looking at their design. Demand charges are killing me - I should’ve went with powerwall to begin with.
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Add powerwall to existing system
- Thread starter ctopher2391
- Start date
Yeah I should’ve said that. I did reach out to a couple and it’s insane. $18,500. Which is close to the cost of a 4kw system with powerwall
bobby g
Member
4kw is little, put up a gazebo or it put on a patio cover.Yeah I should’ve said that. I did reach out to a couple and it’s insane. $18,500. Which is close to the cost of a 4kw system with powerwall
Tesla itself is not installing on either of those, I am fairly sure.
Yup, we got our PowerWalls and Gateway via an independent 3rd party contractor about six months after that same contractor installed our solar. Aside from interminable delays in getting product from Tesla, which kept slipping delivery dates on both the PowerWalls and the Gateway, it all worked out fine.
pilotSteve
Active Member
When we had our Tesla-authorized SunPower contractor build out our system, their "SunVault" battery solution did not exist, which is why we went with PowerWalls. However, we don't look back with regret, because while SunPower talks about using their SunVault to "back up essentials," we use our Powerwalls to run the entire house, including air conditioning and, when necessary, charging the car. Here's the SunVault info for folks who may be seeking an alternative if Tesla is giving them the "no, sorry, can't do that" dance: SunVault the Solar Battery Storage System for Homeowners
aesculus
Still Trying to Figure This All Out
Not sure why Tesla, in all it's wisdom, did not do this, and throw the wall connector into the mix too with bi-passible DC.
I'm looking at installing the Solar Roof on my rental property in Berkeley; I don't think I want/need a powerwall since it seems the best use case is marginally less energy useage and backup generation, neither of which I care that much about.
That said, I would be interested at some point to add a powewall (maybe when it's powerwall 5!) and just wanted to see if that should be functionally feasible.
That said, I would be interested at some point to add a powewall (maybe when it's powerwall 5!) and just wanted to see if that should be functionally feasible.
Utilities are constantly manipulating rates to lower solar benefits. A powerwall is the only way to hedge against that.
@komrade - yeah, that's what I understand as well...but even with all the credits seems like pricey insurance for when the power goes out (esp. vs. say a diesel generator, which should have a better useful life than Powerwall)...
@tfan2018 - Agree, but since this is a rental, the utilities are covered by my tenants anyway and it still seems like pricey insurance against future-proofing with something that has a finite lifespan.
@tfan2018 - Agree, but since this is a rental, the utilities are covered by my tenants anyway and it still seems like pricey insurance against future-proofing with something that has a finite lifespan.
I don't think there's any benefit in trying to future proof an installation for later battery addition.
The rules, conditions and required equipment may/will have changed when you do want it, so the whole system (existing + new) has to be re-designed for then anyway.
If there's one thing all inspectors dislike - things on the plan that are not at the site (and vice-versa).
The rules, conditions and required equipment may/will have changed when you do want it, so the whole system (existing + new) has to be re-designed for then anyway.
If there's one thing all inspectors dislike - things on the plan that are not at the site (and vice-versa).
To answer your question, yes it should be functionally feasible to add powerwalls later if you want. many of us in fact added powerwalls to existing solar, so there is no technical limitation that can not be overcome, in doing that.
There could be regulatory issues though, as in, perhaps adding the powerwall later forces you onto an undesirable electrical service plan, or changes your NEM (net energy metering) installation date, or something like that.
For myself, I would be asking "why do I want solar in the first place on this rental property?" because the answer to that question might also dictate needing some sort of storage to go with it.
I dont think I would do solar without storage at this point, myself. I would either not do it at all, or do solar + storage (someones, doesnt have to be tesla).
@jjrandorin - Curious why storage is so important to you? Maybe I'm missing the use-case but it seems just for emergencies; since the solar Tesla has designed for me is over 100% of my (tenants') useage, it seems my bill should functionally go to $0 (even though I'm using at night and contributing during the day).
Re: solar on a rental - I'm looking at a new roof anyway, and I think future-proofing makes more sense than putting on another standard 30-year roof. I think it will also attract tenants who for environmental or financial reasons see low/free electricity as a net positive that they'll pay more for? (but I can't imagine a tenant would ascribe value to the battery any more so than if I put a diesel generator there).
Re: solar on a rental - I'm looking at a new roof anyway, and I think future-proofing makes more sense than putting on another standard 30-year roof. I think it will also attract tenants who for environmental or financial reasons see low/free electricity as a net positive that they'll pay more for? (but I can't imagine a tenant would ascribe value to the battery any more so than if I put a diesel generator there).
I think the first version was DC coupled but it was replaced fairly early. DC coupling was a limitation based on the wider market and ease of AC coupling to a Leger segment of inverter installations.
