The Powerwall is regarded as a groundbreaking event in the history of home storage systems. It made home storage systems mainstream and set the pace other brands have striven to follow. Since its launch in 2015 and in spite of the rapid expansion of the home energy storage industry, Powerwall has retained its status as the definitive benchmark for energy storage systems. All energy storage systems are judged based on how they compare to the Powerwall.
On Wednesday the 13th, at RE+, an annual trade show for the solar and renewable energy industry in Las Vegas, Tesla unveiled the much anticipated Powerwall 3 to much fanfare.
Highlights
Inverter
The key highlight of the Powerwall 3 is that it integrates an inverter rated at 97.5% efficiency. The inverter can handle up to six solar panel inputs. This elevates the Powerwall 3 above a simple battery and energy storage system into hybrid system capable of both power conversion and storage unit.
Compatibility
It is not compatible with other solar inverters or with the Powerwall 2.
Power
Like its successors, the Powerwall 3 has an energy capacity of 13.5kWh with the capacity being able to be scaled by up to four times unlike Powerwall 2 which comes as a single unit and cannot be scaled. It offers 11.5 kW of continuous on-grid and backup power, almost double compared to the 5.8 kW of the Powerwall 2. This represents a 50% increase of the amount of usable energy. This is another major highlight of Powerwall 3.
Design
The Powerwall 3 is more compact yet heavier and thicker from front the back when compared to Powerwall 2. Also, the front dispenses with 'the spelled-out 'Tesla' logo on the PW2 and features to T logo. It is sleek and designed to integrate well with both interior and exterior designs. Its glass door includes an indicator light that goes red in the event of faults, and a pure white that indicates smooth functioning.
Chemistry
Powerwall 2 uses lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) chemistry cells developed in collaboration with Panasonic and are similar to the Lithium NCA cells that Tesla uses in its electric vehicles. Tesla has not confirmed the type of cell it will use in the PW3 but reports by those who were part of a soft launch of the product say that the LFP cells were used in the design of the cells.
Installation
Powerwall 3 is specifically built for ease of installation. The front door is built to be removed during installation allowing two technicians to get an install done in 30-40 minutes.
Price
The price of Powerwall 3 is yet to be announced by Tesla.
Warranty
Like the Powerwall 2, Tesla covers Powerwall 3 with a 10-year warranty. The inverter has a 12.5-year warranty.
Availability
It will be available starting in 2024. According to Tesla, Powerwall 2 will still be available 'for some time' meaning that Powerwall 3 can be expected to supersede it.
The Powerwall is the most advanced home energy storage system on the planet. We expect it to retain its place among energy storage systems. More details about the product will follow its eventual release. We will be available to share them with our readers. In the mean time, read our reviews of other equally sophisticated home energy systems here.