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Tesla Solar installation setup with small service panel

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Hi folks,

I'm interested in getting Tesla Solar and a Power Wall.. I even had an order in last year, but it was so difficult to get any specifics out of them about the install I decided to cancel. They did tell me I needed a service panel upgrade based on the photos that I sent but didn't provide details on exactly what they would do for the $8-9k extra they were going to charge.

I was wondering if you guys could help.. We're in a 1300sqft craftsman house and a Model 3 parked on the driveway. Ideally I'd like to minimize the number of ugly boxes on the outside of the house, we also have an unused unfinished crawlspace with about 5ft clearance that I will admit I've wondered if we could put the Powerwall in.

Anyway the house has apparently 350A service from PG&E coming overhead, going in to a combination meter breaker box that has 12 slots and about 150A in current circuits. I'm out of breaker slots and to be honest would like to have a few extras even without the solar (for a ductless mini split etc).

I've attached a photo of the breaker box - curious what you guys think would be the best set up here for one powerwall + solar?

Cheers,
Francis
 

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That does not look like 350 Amp service. It could be 100 or 125 Amps. Look for the big breaker or the label which might give you and idea. I think a friend installed two Powerwalls in a 6 foot mechanical area under his house. I do not know the rules about that kind of space.
 
I do not know anything about panel upgrade or electricity service for that matter, but since you have overhead service the service upgrade should be relatively inexpensive comparing to underground service entry. It might be cheaper to get the panel upgrade to 200A before Tesla solar and I would look at the opportunity to convert anything gas to electricity with the exception of gas stove if that’s your thing, like heater and water heater. Crawl space for PW may not be easy as they are very heavy so it depends on how easy the access to the crawl space for 2 people carrying that heavy PW. You would get less boxes with the new PW+ since TEG and inverter seems to be combined in one smaller box.