Powerwalls in the UK

[scdoubleu]

We’re getting a quote for installing a PW and solar and when installed switching to Octopus
Tesla Plan. Is the PW easy to manage? Or can it be set and forget about it?

Our electric bill is going up ~50% in August. So running the numbers we’ll get pay back in a short time unless energy prices fall.

If you're on the TEP then you will have no control over the PW's behaviour. So it really is set and forget.

Otherwise, for non-TEP users "Time-Based Control" mode now seems to be a little smarter on when and how much to charge during the off-peak period. Previously, it seemed to look only at the last few days of solar generation to infer tomorrow's forecast, rather than use a proper future forecast. Good enough for southern California, but not the UK. This could result in a flat PW by mid-morning, with no prospect of enough solar to bring the SoC back up to make it through the next night. It has been a lot better for a few months now.

We're in the latter camp (non-TEP), with Octopus Go, and saving a fortune. Exhibit A for last month alone:

Since April, our monthly electricity bill has dropped by more than 40% compared to previous years with cheaper cost/kWh, and that includes the cost of charging two EVs; we ran ICE cars until 6-7 months ago. Obviously the full year saving will be smaller, but I still expect the total to be significantly lower than previous years despite the energy price rises.

Whichever plan you choose, the savings are significant.

Steve

 

[Undecided_2]

If you're on the TEP then you will have no control over the PW's behaviour. So it really is set and forget.

Otherwise, for non-TEP users "Time-Based Control" mode now seems to be a little smarter on when and how much to charge during the off-peak period. Previously, it seemed to look only at the last few days of solar generation to infer tomorrow's forecast, rather than use a proper future forecast. Good enough for southern California, but not the UK. This could result in a flat PW by mid-morning, with no prospect of enough solar to bring the SoC back up to make it through the next night. It has been a lot better for a few months now.

We're in the latter camp (non-TEP), with Octopus Go, and saving a fortune. Exhibit A for last month alone:

View attachment 821236

Since April, our monthly electricity bill has dropped by more than 40% compared to previous years with cheaper cost/kWh, and that includes the cost of charging two EVs; we ran ICE cars until 6-7 months ago. Obviously the full year saving will be smaller, but I still expect the total to be significantly lower than previous years despite the energy price rises.

Whichever plan you choose, the savings are significant.

Steve

Thank you! We’ve run the numbers as it appears installing the PW and Solar will save us ~£4500 a year on our current ‘cheapest’ electricity tariff switching to TEP. So the cost of installing a PW and solar (£13k) will pay back investment within 3-years at current rates.

With the standing charge/price cap being adjusted very 3-months after OCT it could be more/less. I doubt it’ll go down nor our energy prices. If it does go down we’ll still save money and doing more for green energy so it’s a win win in my book.

 

[NikoV6]

Quick update on the £750 cost by Scottish Power for approval for the PowerWall install, its now £250