Power grids can be unreliable in times when you need them most.
If you’re looking to have reliable power during severe weather or blackouts, a Tesla Powerwall System may be the answer! With a Powerwall installed by Lightwave Solar, your system will kick in immediately, with barely a flicker to the lights. Let’s discuss some frequently asked questions about the Tesla Powerwall System, like:
- What is the Tesla Powerwall?
- How much power does a Powerwall provide?
- How do you install a Tesla Powerwall?
- How does the Tesla app work?
- What is Storm Watch?
What Is the Tesla Powerwall?
The Tesla Powerwall is a fully-integrated AC battery system that can provide your home or business with clean and reliable energy storage. Fueled by solar energy, the Powerwall’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack can reduce your daily grid usage and keep your home up and running during grid failures.
How Much Power Does a Powerwall Provide?
Each Tesla Powerwall battery provides 13.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of storage capacity. Two Powerwalls (27 kWh) can backup an entire 200-amp service panel. Typically, LightWave Solar installs three or four Tesla Powerwalls to back up the average home. If you have a 400-amp or 600-amp service panel, LightWave can install more than one Powerwall system to backup multiple panels. Or, we can move desired loads to your backed-up panel. A Tesla Powerwall system is easily expandable, which means LightWave can add Powerwalls to your system in the future if your needs change.
How Do You Install a Tesla Powerwall?
Tesla Powerwall has an elegant, compact design (less than 6 inches deep) and achieves market-leading energy density. LightWave can stack up to 10 Powerwalls in one system, and we can mount Powerwalls side-by-side, on the floor or on the wall. LightWave installs Powerwalls in garages, basements and utility rooms, and even outdoors.
If you want to see how a Powerwall would fit in your space, check out this spec sheet.
How Does the Tesla App Work?
Tesla Powerwalls are easy and fun to use, and many customers enjoy tracking their system’s performance via the Tesla app.
The Tesla app allows you to see stats like:
- How much energy you are using
- How much solar energy you are generating
- How much energy you have stored in your Tesla Powerwalls
The app also helps you optimize your solar energy system to minimize your grid use. For example, you might do your laundry or charge your car during sunlight hours, or you could set a high battery reserve level to have more stored power in case of a grid outage. When the grid goes down, your Tesla Powerwall system will automatically take over, and you’ll likely experience a seamless transition to off-grid power.
What Is Storm Watch?
Grid failures are often caused by severe weather, which is why the Tesla app features a unique setting called Storm Watch. Storm Watch allows your solar energy + battery system to receive warnings from the National Weather System, specifically for storms associated with higher likelihoods of power outages. If a storm warning is detected in your area, your Powerwall will immediately charge to 100% from solar energy (if available) or from the grid. That way, your batteries will be completely charged before a storm hits — you’ll always be ready for a grid outage if/when it occurs!
Storm Watch will activate when a weather event has advanced in severity and if one of the following warnings or watches has been issued in your local area:
- Thunderstorm or severe thunderstorm (warning)
- Tornado (warning)
- Wind (advisory)
- High wind (warning)
- Winter storm (warning)
- Ice storm (warning)
- Blizzard (warning)
- Snow squall (warning)
- Wind chill (warning)
- Red flag (warning)
- Hurricane (watch or warning)
- Tropical storm (watch or warning)
Storm Watch mode is optional and can easily be enabled/disabled at any time. Most system owners keep Storm Watch enabled at all times to ensure that if severe weather is predicted, they will have reliable backup power when they need it most.
During grid outages, you will need to track your home’s power usage in relation to the amount of solar generation and/or charge status of your Tesla Powerwalls. Fortunately, even if you deplete your battery overnight, a sunrise will provide more power for your home in the morning.
Choose LightWave Solar for Your Installation
Batteries give homeowners more security and peace of mind, especially during severe weather. LightWave Solar is Nashville’s premiere Tesla-certified installer, and has installed nearly 500 Tesla Powerwalls across Tennessee and Kentucky. If you’re looking to use less grid power and have more comfort during bad storms, contact us today for a consultation.
Check out a few LightWave Solar + Tesla Powerwall case studies.
