We’ve analyzed the Tesla Powerwall’s costs, benefits, and key features and compared it to the other top-tier home solar battery brands. Our guide also explains the different Powerwall models to help you make the best choice for your solar system.

*Certified installers vary by region—we always recommend requesting multiple quotes.

---

What Is the Tesla Powerwall?

The Tesla Powerwall is a lithium-ion battery that uses lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) chemistry. NMC batteries are the most common type of solar battery. They generally have a life span of 10–12 years and high energy capacity, meaning they can store a significant amount of energy despite being physically smaller than other battery types, making them a great addition to any renewable energy system.

The battery has gone through a few versions, including the Tesla Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+. The most recent version is the Powerwall 3, which became available in early 2024.

Here’s a look at the Tesla Powerwall 3’s features and specs.

Depth of discharge measures how much power you can draw from a battery before its recharging efficiency drops. The industry standard is between 80% and 100%. All Tesla Powerwall models have a 100% DoD, meaning you can charge to their full battery capacity every time.

Round-trip efficiency measures the amount of electricity that can be used after a full charge. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the typical solar battery has a round-trip efficiency of 80%. The Tesla Powerwall offers an above-average round-trip efficiency of 90% or higher, making it an efficient storage solution.

What Are the Uses of the Tesla Powerwall?

Like most Solar batteries, Tesla Powerwalls allow you to power your home even when the sun isn’t shining. Each Powerwall stores the solar energy your solar power system absorbs for you to draw upon during outages or when the sun isn’t out. A Powerwall can power the essential appliances of an average-sized home for 24–36 hours, with more Powerwalls extending that duration. This prevents you from having to pull energy from your local power grid to power your home, which would result in an electric bill.

In areas with enough sun, Tesla Powerwalls can also be used to make a home self-sufficient so that it can go completely off-grid. You may want multiple Powerwalls in this scenario to ensure you always have plenty of backup power if you are aiming to achieve energy independence. Most homes will need multiple powerwalls to power the whole home instead of just essential appliances.

Tesla Powerwall systems also integrate with Lumin Smart Panels. This allows the Smart Panel to be aware of the Powerwall’s current charge. When the charge is low, the Smart Panel can prioritize power to the most important appliances as defined by the user.

---

How Much Does the Tesla Powerwall Cost?

A single Tesla Powerwall battery costs $9,300 according to Tesla’s website. Installation costs vary depending on your installer, but average between $2,000 and $3,000. The price of a Powerwall varies based on your location, however. Our cost is based on a quote our team got for a Chicago, Illinois street address. You can learn more about costs in your area by submitting your address on Tesla’s site.

You can purchase a Powerwall in combination with a Tesla solar system or solar roof.

This price of $9,300 for one Powerwall doesn’t include installation costs or taxes. You can purchase a maximum of 10 Powerwalls, and the price per unit decreases when you purchase more batteries. Most homes need only one or two batteries to meet their basic energy storage needs. For larger homes or for homeowners that want to go off-grid, additional Powerwalls may be necessary.

You can save thousands of dollars on your battery by applying for solar incentives. The federal solar tax credit is one of the most valuable incentives that most homeowners qualify for. We’ll cover this further in the article.

Pricing With Tesla Powerwall Direct

Previously, homeowners could only purchase the Powerwall along with a new Tesla solar system. However, Tesla announced in 2023 that its new Powerwall Direct service allows the purchase of stand-alone units in select U.S. markets.

Our team got a quote for Austin, Texas. We found that a single Powerwall starts at $9,200 in this area, which breaks down to the following costs:

• $8,000 for the Powerwall
• $1,000 for Gateway Wi-Fi equipment
• $200 accessory fees

The equipment and accessory fees are flat for multiple stand-alone Powerwalls. You’ll only pay for the additional Powerwall unit. Adding two Powerwalls in Texas increased our cost to $16,000 plus $1,200 for the additional equipment, totaling $17,200, representing a savings of $600 dollars per Powerwall. We could see estimates for a maximum of three Powerwalls for $25,200. Our order included a $200 delivery fee.

• $1,000 for Gateway Wi-Fi equipment
• $200 accessory fees

Your order comes directly to your home, but you must contact a local Tesla Certified Installer to schedule the installation. Our quote included a link to local Tesla installers in the Austin area.

Pricing From Local Installer

If you don’t want to purchase directly through Tesla, you can buy a Powerwall through a locally certified Powerwall installer. Consider this option if you’re simply looking for a new home battery storage solution to integrate into your existing solar panel system. A Powerwall’s total cost varies per installer and could range from $15,000–$18,000.

In addition to higher pricing, you’ll have a significantly longer wait time for your new Powerwall. Tesla prioritizes full solar system orders over individual battery orders. Placing an order through a third-party retailer will result in even longer delays since they have to get the products from Tesla first.

---

How To Save Money on the Tesla Powerwall

Federal, state, and local solar incentives can help you save thousands of dollars when buying solar products, including batteries. One of the most valuable cost-saving incentives is the federal solar tax credit, which you qualify for if you purchase a Powerwall as a stand-alone unit or with a full Tesla solar system using cash or a solar loan. This provides a federal income tax deduction equal to 30% of your solar panel installation costs.

You also save money when you buy more than one Powerwall. Each subsequent battery purchase comes at a discounted rate.

---

Pros and Cons of Tesla Powerwall Battery

---

How Do the Powerwall 2, Powerwall 3, and Powerwall+ Compare?

The Powerwall 2, Powerwall 3, and the Powerwall+ models share most features, such as battery capacity, but their power output and installation options differ. See a side-by-side comparison of the Powerwall models below.

---

How Long Will a Tesla Powerwall Last?

Powerwall models come with an industry-standard 10-year warranty. Your Powerwall may last longer than 10 years, but its performance will lessen. Most solar panels last up to 25 years, so you may need to replace your Powerwall to match your system’s life span. 

The Powerwall warranty includes the following clauses:

• 70% end-of-life capacity clause: The Powerwall has an end-of-cycle capacity of 70%, meaning it will provide at least 70% of its original 13.5 kWh capacity. This is higher than the average end-of-warranty capacity of around 60%.
• Four-year workmanship warranty: This warranty covers any replacements or repairs due to poor installation and the shipping of any necessary replacement parts. 
• Unlimited charge cycles: A charge cycle is the process of fully charging and draining your battery. This clause includes unlimited charge cycles for the full 10-year coverage length.

---

How Many Powerwalls Do You Need?

A Tesla Powerwall can power essential appliances in an average home for an average of 24–36 hours, but this is weather-dependent. Here is a detailed breakdown:

The battery can provide electricity to most 120-volt appliances and electric outlets. High energy consumption systems, such as air conditioners, may require additional Powerwalls to meet their energy needs. 

The Powerwall can function as a whole-home or partial backup system based on your needs. Below is an overview of each configuration:

• Whole-house backup: This configuration provides whole-home power during an outage. If you have several high-power appliances, your battery life will lessen more quickly. This setup is best for homeowners living in areas with inclement weather that causes blackouts. It’s also a good option for those who want backup power for their home and can afford multiple Powerwalls. Most homes need three or more Powerwalls for adequate whole-house power backup. 
• Partial-home backup: With a partial backup option, your Powerwall only supplies power to essential appliances, such as your HVAC system and refrigerator, during an outage. Consider this configuration if you’re keeping your investment to a minimum and only focusing on essential appliances. This setup requires one or two Powerwalls.

---

How Does the Tesla Powerwall Compare to Other Solar Batteries?

Here’s how the latest Powerwall compares to other energy storage options based on features, capacity, and solar battery pricing.

---

Is the Tesla Powerwall Worth It?

The Powerwall is a good investment for home solar systems or homes with general backup energy storage needs. The Powerwall can be more expensive than other solar batteries, but it’s also more efficient and has a longer life span. Powerwalls offer a high power capacity, cost-saving operating modes, and customizable backup capabilities. Homeowners benefit from being less dependent on their utility’s power grid, protecting them from power outages and lowering their home energy bills. 

If you want to talk to a professional about how the Powerwall battery would benefit you and get a personalized quote, connect with one of our recommended solar panel companies.

---

FAQ About the Tesla Powerwall

---

Our Rating Methodology

We aim to provide comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our recommendations. Our rating system for solar batteries is on a 100-point scale based on five factors:

• Depth of Discharge (20 points): Does the company disclose its depth of discharge (DoD) rating? Does the DoD meet the industry standard of 80%? The higher the rating, the higher the score. 
• Round-trip efficiency (20 points): How efficient is the battery? Does it meet or exceed the industry standard of 80%? The higher the round-trip efficiency, the more points we awarded.
• Battery chemistry (15 points): We awarded more points to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries than Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) batteries due to their higher efficiency and longer life span.
• Battery options (15 points): We awarded more points to brands with multiple battery sizes for better customization, rather than only one size.
• End-of-warranty capacity (15 points): How powerful will the battery be at the end of its warranty? Does the projected end-of-warranty capacity meet the industry standard of 60%? We awarded more points to batteries with higher end-of-warranty capacities.
• Warranty length (15 points): How long is the battery’s warranty? Does it meet or exceed the standard 10-year warranty? Batteries with the longest, most comprehensive warranties ranked higher.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.