Buying or selling a Powerwall 2? A warning...

[zanary]

The only thing to note here, is that if the person purchasing is already a Powerwall owner (has them provisioned and using them), then it's just adding another battery to the new sub panel (on it's own 30amp), and telling the gateway that there is a 3rd battery. There may be some main panel upgrade, but that should not be a problem if you're only a 200 amp service with a 200 amp main breaker.

That's just my guess.

 

[t2now1]

Hi Hank- Do you know if the credits can be used for a service or service contract?

 

[HankLloydRight]

I do not know that specifically, but I assume (as they are telling me) that if I can use it to apply to a Model 3, that it should be applicable to other products or services.

In Round 1 of the referral program, I got 5 referrals and a $5000 credit. I used that buy the ESA for my P85+, an LTE upgrade, a Chademo adapter and some replacement lug nuts. But that was a long time ago and the PW2 credit seems to be a different animal.

 

[MelaniainLA]

Since I haven't claimed the credit yet, I really don't know.

I got an email from a senior referral program staffer saying that the referral powerwalls are not available to the public and have "no cash value". This seemed to be code word for "no 1099" because no value. Moreover they said we CAN transfer these awards to other people. Didn't discuss selling but I'm sure they won't care...

 

[HankLloydRight]

senior referral program staffer

That's the disconnect.

The "referral" program people aren't responsible for the PW2 awards. The Tesla Energy people are. The referral people can tell you anything, but when it gets right down to it, the TE people I've been dealing with, including the Program Manager for the energy awards, says exactly the opposite. Your "staffer" should also talk to the finance and legal departments, because just because something "isn't available to the public" doesn't mean it doesn't have value and is not taxable. I can assure you with 100% certainty, the I.R.S. will have a different opinion on that issue. Clearly he/she has no idea how tax law works. The referral PW2 awards are just regular "available to the public" PW2s with a red cover and (maybe) a signature. That doesn't nullify them of taxable value.

When he said "no cash value" that actually just means you can't exchange them for actual CASH, but they will give you Tesla credits for them. It says it right in the rules: " Awards are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash". That's NOT a statement on the taxability of the awards.

Please see this thread on how it actually is happening, including why they aren't transferrable and that they ARE sending out 1099s for the PW2 awards: Founder's Powerwall Installation Status

 

[MelaniainLA]

That's the disconnect.

The "referral" program people aren't responsible for the PW2 awards. The Tesla Energy people are. The referral people can tell you anything, but when it gets right down to it, the TE people I've been dealing with, including the Program Manager for the energy awards, says exactly the opposite. Your "staffer" should also talk to the finance and legal departments, because just because something "isn't available to the public" doesn't mean it doesn't have value and is not taxable. I can assure you with 100% certainty, the I.R.S. will have a different opinion on that issue. Clearly he/she has no idea how tax law works. The referral PW2 awards are just regular "available to the public" PW2s with a red cover and (maybe) a signature. That doesn't nullify them of taxable value.

When he said "no cash value" that actually just means you can't exchange them for actual CASH, but they will give you Tesla credits for them. It says it right in the rules: " Awards are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash". That's NOT a statement on the taxability of the awards.

Please see this thread on how it actually is happening, including why they aren't transferrable and that they ARE sending out 1099s for the PW2 awards: Founder's Powerwall Installation Status

Thank you for noting that thread. Hadn't seen and now it makes sense. Do they issue 1099s for the "Tesla credits" in lieu of the actual Powerwall awards?

 

[HankLloydRight]

You're welcome!

Thank you for noting that thread. Hadn't seen and now it makes sense. Do they issue 1099s for the "Tesla credits" in lieu of the actual Powerwall awards?

We do not know how those will be handled yet.

 

[DÆrik]

They do realize that many people do not have a house that can support a PW2 install, or are renting, and for these people (or at least for me), they have offered a $5500 "Tesla credit" for each PW2 that can be used for other products (cars, solar roof, etc).

Who did you speak with? Feel free to message me? I will try to reach out to my contacts too.

I just received word that I can't use my credit on solar. Right as I was getting ready to sign my solar contract. This is what I was told: "Unfortunately, we cannot have the credit applied toward the solar system. The credit can be used toward Tesla Motors credit on merchandise, Vehicle purchases and upgrades."

Thanks Erik

 

[HankLloydRight]

Nobody told me specifically "solar roof" or even "solar", those were just my examples of "other products," so sorry about that confusion.

When talking about the credits, they never told me there were any limitations on what it could or couldn't be used for, the implication being I could use it for any "Tesla" product. And being that they are hard selling solar installs with the free PW2s, you'd think that solar would be one of the products you could use the credits for.

What's even stranger is just a few posts above, someone said that the credits can only be used on solar products and not motors.

 

[DÆrik]

Nobody told me specifically "solar roof" or even "solar", those were just my examples of "other products," so sorry about that confusion.

When talking about the credits, they never told me there were any limitations on what it could or couldn't be used for, the implication being I could use it for any "Tesla" product. And being that they are hard selling solar installs with the free PW2s, you'd think that solar would be one of the products you could use the credits for.

What's even stranger is just a few posts above, someone said that the credits can only be used on solar products and not motors.

Ah, Thanks Hank. I think I'll escalate this for clarification. I was told about the credit when Tesla initialized contact with me but they didn't say I couldn't use it on solar until I was getting ready to sign the contract. It just would have been nice to know before I went through all the solar research. Either way I'll make it work, just want them to clarify.

Thanks. Erik

 

[GTKAZ]

Has anyone called to have it changed over to a credit? If so can you please share the phone number, and/or email if that's been the right route. I'm currently renting and my Model 3 should be here in the next couple weeks so a credit for that would be clutch!

 

[Karltee]

I'm still waiting for the Tesla Energy team to call me to set up the "WALL" install.
Love My "S" (3,000 miles of "happy").

 

[DÆrik]

Ok, I received the official word. Credits can NOT be applied towards solar panels.

Thanks. Erik

 

[HankLloydRight]

Damn, that bites. Did they have any justification for that?

 

[DÆrik]

Damn, that bites. Did they have any justification for that?

No, Just was told the following from the Solar team and ran it up the chain at Tesla and they confirmed it.

"Unfortunately, we cannot have the credit applied toward the solar system. The credit can be used toward Tesla Motors credit on merchandise, Vehicle purchases and upgrades."

Thanks Erik

 

[carbonx]

No, Just was told the following from the Solar team and ran it up the chain at Tesla and they confirmed it.

"Unfortunately, we cannot have the credit applied toward the solar system. The credit can be used toward Tesla Motors credit on merchandise, Vehicle purchases and upgrades."

Thanks Erik

Do the credits show up in your account? Or how do you "redeem" them?

 

[MelaniainLA]

No, Just was told the following from the Solar team and ran it up the chain at Tesla and they confirmed it.

"Unfortunately, we cannot have the credit applied toward the solar system. The credit can be used toward Tesla Motors credit on merchandise, Vehicle purchases and upgrades."

Thanks Erik

Presuming they won't retroactively apply it to a recent vehicle purchase eh?

Do you know if the Tesla credits are transferable? Or if they can be used for extended warranty and service?

Final q: what's the process to get the credits? Do you have to pretend to request the Powerwall through the referral reward email and then say you want the credit when they call to arrange installation?

Thanks!!

 

[DÆrik]

Do the credits show up in your account? Or how do you "redeem" them?

Presuming they won't retroactively apply it to a recent vehicle purchase eh?

Do you know if the Tesla credits are transferable? Or if they can be used for extended warranty and service?

Final q: what's the process to get the credits? Do you have to pretend to request the Powerwall through the referral reward email and then say you want the credit when they call to arrange installation?

Thanks!!

Currently they don't show up online or anything. To spend them, let service or a store employee know and they can apply them. Using them for the extended warranty and service shouldn't be an issue.

They are not transferrable and you can't combine yours with someone else's. I would believe that to included not being able to buy a warranty/service for a Tesla that isn't in your account.

To redeem your credits, select that you're interested in the power wall when you receive your questionnaire. Then when they contact you, they should offer the credit if you'd prefer. In which you can accept credit for however many you've earned that you don't want installed. Currently other countries besides USA can select credits from the Tesla questionnaire. Perhaps Tesla will add that in the future for USA customers.

Thanks Erik

 

[MelaniainLA]

Thanks Erik!!!

 

[carbonx]

Currently they don't show up online or anything. To spend them, let service or a store employee know and they can apply them. Using them for the extended warranty and service shouldn't be an issue.

They are not transferrable and you can't combine yours with someone else's. I would believe that to included not being able to buy a warranty/service for a Tesla that isn't in your account.

To redeem your credits, select that you're interested in the power wall when you receive your questionnaire. Then when they contact you, they should offer the credit if you'd prefer. In which you can accept credit for however many you've earned that you don't want installed. Currently other countries besides USA can select credits from the Tesla questionnaire. Perhaps Tesla will add that in the future for USA customers.

Thanks Erik

I worked with my Tesla Energy Advisor to try to get those credits applied to my Model 3 last week and it was a no-go from the Delivery Specialist saying it can only be applied to Tesla Energy. Seems like no one really knows whats going on with conflicting statements.