Excellent review! Thanks for the post!
I also live in SW Florida (Cape Coral) and just started researching standby generators for hurricane season, which eventually led me to the Powerwalls. I read that South Miami's mayor went off grid for 7 days in a trial run for hurricane season with solar and Powerwalls. I understand Powerwalls, for sustained power outages, is impossible without solar, so here I am.
Tesla.com recommend a 15.12 kW system with 4 Powerwalls, but I'm not sure if I have enough roof space left after the pool solar heating panels. The next size down is a 11.34 kW system with 3 Powerwalls, which should fit, but I would rather due 2 Powerwalls (less expensive) if they would be sufficient for off grid use. Also, even if I had enough roof space left, it would be considered Tier II, which requires additional liability insurance.
After researching the last 12 months of power use, with absolutely no power conservation in place, I used 20,687 kWH. The average, maximum, minimum daily usage was 58 kWH, 113 kWH, and 23 kWH, respectively. This year should be better (long story). I was able to run my entire house without load shedding, including my Trane XV20i 4-ton HVAC (variable system), pool, and well equipment, with the exception of the dryer, range, and hot water heater, on a Honda EU7000is inverter generator rated at 7kW starting and 5.5 kW continuous.
I am considering financing this project through PACE or Telsa, however that works out.
- How did you get a 12 kW system from Telsa? They only show a 11.34 kW system online.
- What is your average power consumption at the 12 kW house?
- How long could you go off grid with decent conditions, during hurricane season?
- I see that you have an 8 kW system at your rental, which I assume is an investment property... did that system make financial sense? With the smaller 11.34 kW system and 3 Powerwalls, even with the incentives, I am looking at $50/month more than my current average electric bill and I am not sure if it will completely offset my bill.
- I understand that Tesla doesn't manufacture the PV panels or inverters... can you spec the PV panel and microinverters used?
- Do Telsa employees perform the work, or is it subcontracted out to a local solar installer?
- What made you choose Telsa solar over Enphase?
- I've read some good things about Enphase Enpower...