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Can I buy a Tesla Powerwall and install myself?

Can I buy a Tesla Powerwall and install it myself? No. Tesla only allows certified installers to purchase and install Powerwalls.

a-rsolar.com - What you should know about Tesla Powerwall battery storage
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What is Tesla Powerwall?

How does Tesla Powerwall work?

Tesla Powerwall is a hybrid solar battery system that allows you to keep the lights on during power outages. Typical grid-tied solar energy systems are mandated by National Electrical Code to switch off during an outage to protect utility line workers. However with a backup battery system like the Tesla solar battery, you can keep essential electrical loads (refrigerator, lights, computers, phone chargers, etc) powered when storms, earthquakes, or other outages occur. Your solar panels charge the battery during daylight hours, allowing your home to keep functioning for up to several days. Solar panels generate electricity that is consumed by your home. The Tesla Powerwall stores excess electricity, and in the event of a power outage, your home can use this reserve power to keep your lights on and food cold. Read more about how solar works.

Is home battery storage right for me?

Energy independence – Removing your dependence on your electric utility means you can protect yourself from power outages, as well as insulate yourself from ever rising electricity costs, which continue to increase each year. – Removing your dependence on your electric utility means you can protect yourself from power outages, as well as insulate yourself from ever rising electricity costs, which continue to increase each year. Reducing electricity bill – You can automatically move from paying a premium for grid electricity to utilizing stored solar electricity for free. – You can automatically move from paying a premium for grid electricity to utilizing stored solar electricity for free. Reducing carbon footprint – A very small amount of energy comes from renewables. As a matter of fact, in the U.S. we generate the majority of our energy by burning fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas. The less energy you require from your utility the more you reduce your carbon footprint.

Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer in Washington and Oregon

A&R Solar is a Tesla Certified Installer in the Northwest, meaning that our staff have passed Tesla’s rigorous training program and our company meets all of its legal and financial requirements. We’ve installed hundreds of batteries. We’ve logged hundreds of hours researching home battery storage solutions, and our in-house research and development team beta tests these systems before offering them to our customers.

Can I buy a Tesla Powerwall and install it myself?

No. Tesla only allows certified installers to purchase and install Powerwalls. Energy storage systems are complex and based on relatively new technology, requiring significant training and electrical expertise.

How much does Tesla Powerwall cost to install?

Installing a solar backup battery system is a complex process that entails more than just the battery system alone. Factoring into the Tesla Powerwall installation cost are battery inverter(s), a transfer switch, protected load panel, monitoring device, software, miscellaneous electrical materials, and all the associated permits, utility approval, and labor required for a professional installation. What’s more, depending on your energy usage, you may need more than one battery. Below is an overview of the associated cost of a Tesla Powerwall installation.

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Solution Battery Type Energy Power Minimum # of Batteries Typical Installed Price Range (Western WA/OR) Typical Installed Price Range (Eastern WA/OR) Availability Tesla Powerwall 13.5kWh each 5kW each 2* $35-40k* $40-45k* Waitlist-nationwide shortages

How many Powerwalls do I need?

Your home battery storage needs will depend on a number of factors that are specific to energy usage. Because of their size, the majority of solar energy systems installed today require two Tesla Powerwalls. Your Solar Design Consultant will work closely with you to determine how many batteries you’ll need.

How long can it power my home in the event of a power outage?

That depends. What would you like to power during an outage? And how long do you need to run it? Battery storage can provide perpetual amounts of power when combined with solar. The grid might be down, but your solar panels are now feeding into your battery system instead of pushing all of that power back to your utility. The more loads you want to power and the longer you want to be able to run them for, the more batteries you will need, and vice versa. To illustrate further, picture your bathtub. The faucet is the power your solar panels are generating, while the drain represents how much electricity your home is consuming. The bathtub is the Tesla solar battery. It has to balance the amount of energy coming in (from the solar panels) with the amount going out (to power the home). That’s where we come in. We work closely with you to determine what essentials you’d like to have backed up during a power outage and size the solar and battery systems accordingly. It’s never a one-size-fits-all approach.

Does Tesla Powerwall qualify for the federal tax credit?

Yes. Battery systems charged primarily with solar energy are eligible for the federal solar tax credit. As with all tax matters, please consult a tax professional to ensure you are eligible before making any financial decisions.

Do I need solar panels to use Tesla Powerwall?

Solar panels are not required to take advantage of a battery storage system when they can be charged from the grid. However, in the event of a grid outage, your batteries can’t recharge like they can with solar panels. Additionally, solar plus storage provides greater tax advantages, reduces your electric bill, and allows you to work towards greater energy independence.

Will Powerwall work with existing solar energy systems?

Maybe. That depends on a number of variables. We can work with you to determine whether your existing solar energy system and Tesla Powerwall are compatible, or offer retrofit options to ensure compatibility.

Is it designed to work when the grid goes down? Can I be off-grid?

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Powerwall is designed to provide energy backup if a home or business loses power. However, it’s possible to offset as much as 100 percent of your energy usage while remaining on the grid. Having all of your electrical needs provided by solar energy means that you are net zero without the need to be “off-grid”. Tesla Powerwall is not designed for true off-grid residences, such as remote cabins or RV setups, where no utility grid is present.

When can I get a Powerwall installed?

Demand for solar and home batteries are at an all-time high, and lead times can be long and change frequently. If you are interested in a solar energy system and Tesla Powerwall, we recommend getting started with a free, no-obligation quote. We’ll confirm current lead times and design a system that works optimally for you.

Why is your quote for a Powerwall installation more than Tesla’s estimate?

Tesla’s estimates typically do not include local labor rates, travel time, permitting fees, or additional electrical work that may be needed to pass inspection in Washington or Oregon. These estimates are often prepared by remote sales people who haven’t visited your property and aren’t familiar with local rules and requirements. Tesla subcontracts the installations out to a handful of companies like A&R Solar which have been approved as a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer.

How do I get an estimate for a Tesla battery?

If you have a home or business in Washington or Oregon, get started now by filling out this form. The federal solar tax credit is slated to expire at the end of 2023, so going solar now will maximize your savings and your investment.

What is the Tesla Powerwall Warranty?

The Tesla Powerwall warranty ensures that your battery backup system will keep at least 70% of its rated storage capacity for a minimum of 10 years. Provided you only use your Powerwall for self-consumption or storage of your solar energy, there is no limit on the number of battery cycles allowed during this ten year period to remain under warranty. [Source: Tesla]

a-rsolar.com - What you should know about Tesla Powerwall battery storage
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