Tesla Powerwall and Lumin Smart Panel Systems
Most LightWave Solar customers want at least 10kW of solar energy and two or more Tesla Powerwall batteries to back up their home’s entire 200-amp main breaker panel. However, many homeowners do not have the space for a large solar array, or the budget to buy two Powerwalls at once.
In the past, the LightWave team would install a critical loads sub-panel. During grid outages, one Powerwall can backup this panel. However, critical loads panels can create challenges and extra cost if you’re looking to expand your solar energy system in the future. Now, LightWave offers an easily expandable, single Tesla Powerwall system that features a Lumin Smart Panel.
How Does the Tesla Powerwall and Lumin Smart Panel System Work?
The Lumin Smart Panel attaches to your home’s existing breaker panel and connects to your largest circuits — this provides you with more insight and control over your home’s energy use. The circuits connected to the panel automatically turn off in a grid outage to conserve the battery, unless you have chosen to keep them “protected” or “on” during a power outage.
During a grid outage, protected circuits as well as circuits not connected to the Lumin will remain on, and if you have enough solar or storage capacity to power one of your larger circuits, you can turn it on in the Lumin app. This system allows much more flexibility than a critical loads panel.
See how a Tesla Powerwall system can protect your home in this video.
What Are the Benefits of a Tesla Powerwall and Lumin Smart Panel System for Your Home?
The synergy between the Tesla Powerwall and Lumin Smart Panels means that homeowners can maximize the benefits of solar energy while enjoying advanced control and management capabilities, leading to both economic and environmental advantages. The benefits of a Tesla Powerwall and Lumin Smart Panel System includes:
- Energy independence and backup power
- Cost savings
- Advanced energy management
- Environmental benefits
- Demand shifting and peak shaving
Energy Independence and Backup Power
This energy storage solution allows homeowners to store solar energy during the day and use it at night or during power outages. This ensures a continuous power supply even when the sun isn’t shining or in cases of grid failures. Working with the Powerwall, the Lumin system enables more granular control over which appliances or circuits receive stored power during an outage, ensuring that essential systems can be prioritized.
Cost Savings
Both systems can lead to cost savings over time. As users generate and store their own solar energy, they can reduce or even eliminate their reliance on grid electricity, which is subject to variable and sometimes rising prices.
Advanced Energy Management
The Lumin Smart Panel gives homeowners unprecedented control over their energy usage. Through its interface, users can monitor and manage which devices or circuits are drawing power, making it easier to reduce consumption or shift usage to times when solar generation is high.
Environmental Benefits
Utilizing solar energy and storing it efficiently reduces a household’s reliance on fossil fuel-based energy, thus reducing carbon emissions. Both the Powerwall and the Lumin Smart Panel enhance the effectiveness and utilization rate of solar energy systems, which in turn promotes cleaner energy solutions.
Demand Shifting and Peak Shaving
With the ability to store energy, homeowners can strategically use their stored solar energy during peak demand times when grid electricity is more expensive (if they are subject to time-of-use pricing). This practice, known as “peak shaving”, can further reduce electricity bills. Additionally, using stored energy during peak times can alleviate stress on the grid, contributing to overall grid health and stability.
A Tesla Powerwall and Lumin Smart Panel System Success Story
The Savourays
In early 2021, LightWave installed one red founder’s edition Tesla Powerwall with a Lumin Smart Panel for Denis and Martha Savouray in Franklin, Tennessee, photo below. LightWave had already installed their solar panels back in 2018. With the Powerwall and Lumin, the Savourays now have more control over their energy use and up to 13.5 kilowatt-hours of stored power during grid outages.
“Once we had the Powerwall installed, I couldn’t wait for the grid to go down,” joked Denis Savouray, a Tesla Powerwall and Lumin Smart Panel owner. “Then, on our first day with the new system, we actually had a 10-minute outage. A couple of weeks later, we had a 3-hour outage. It was awesome to have some power, even though the grid was out,” Denis said.
How to Use the Lumin Smart Panel App
The Lumin Smart Panel comes with an app that provides circuit-level insight into the Savourays’ home and electric cars’ energy use. They can see exactly how much energy each large appliance or room uses. In an outage, the largest circuits automatically turn off except for their refrigerator. If the Savourays want to use a circuit and have sufficient battery charge, they simply turn it on in the app.
“I’m so impressed with the Lumin Smart Panel,” Denis said. “I even learned that some appliances draw power when we aren’t using them,” he stated. “We set a schedule to turn off/on certain circuits like the dishwasher and the washing machine. Because of that, we have reduced our daily kWh usage by 34%,” he said.
Contact the Lightwave Solar Team for Even More Solar Power
If you love your Tesla Powerwall, you can get extra backup power with more than one! Homes that have more than one Powerwall can protect more large circuits during an outage. LightWave Solar can easily add Powerwalls to your existing Lumin + Powerwall system, upgrading your solar energy solution in the future.
If you’re considering switching your home to solar energy, exploring the option of smart panels like the Lumin, or simply want to add more opportunities for solar power, book a consultation with the Lightwave Solar team today! We can help supply your home with cleaner electricity and protect you from power outages.
