Tesla just released all the details of its Powerwall 2 and it is a game changer for the residential energy storage market. Tesla managed to double the energy capacity without doubling the price and while also adding a ‘fully integrated Tesla inverter’ into the home battery unit.
As previously reported, the new Powerwall 2 is also flatter and more rectangular than the previous generation as seen in the picture above and more below. The only bummer is that Tesla was supposed to also unveil a new electric vehicle charger combined with the Powerwall, but it looks like it will be for another time.
Nonetheless, the full specs of Powerwall 2 are impressive:
- Mounting: Wall or Floor Mounted, Indoor/Outdoor
- Inverter: Fully integrated Tesla inverter
- Energy: 14 kWh
- Power: 5 kW continuous, 7 kW peak
- Round Trip Efficiency: 89% for AC Powerwall, 91.8% for DC Powerwall
- Operating Temperature Range: –20°C to 50°C (–4°F to 122°F)
- Warranty: Unlimited cycles for up to 10 years
- Dimensions: 1150 mm x 755 mm x 155 mm (45.3 in x 29.7 in x 6.1 in)
- Weight: 122 kg (269 lbs)
A closer look at the home battery pack:
While the average house would have been better off with 2 Powerwalls with the first generation ($3,000 each before install), most homes will now require only 1 ‘Powerwall 2’ with 14 kWh to offset a significant part of energy consumption during peak hours or to use solar energy from their own solar array at night.
Big houses and small businesses could still stack more than one ‘Powerwall 2’ units.
At $5,500 including a ‘Tesla inverter’, it could easily end up being a game changer in the industry. Most residential systems today are offered for a similar price, but either have about half the energy capacity or they don’t have an integrated inverter.
Tesla estimates the installation at around $1,000, which is to be expected for home battery pack systems.
The new Powerwall will also make a significant dent in the generator industry. It will be used in regions prone to power outages. Australia is an interesting case study for home energy storage for that purpose.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that he expects to sell more Powerwalls than cars and at the price point, he could very well be right. Tesla expects that the first Powerwall 2 units will start shipping in December with installations beginning January 2017.
Of course, Tesla unveiled the new Powerwall 2 with its new solar roof solutions developed with SolarCity. Tesla is really pushing the Powerwall to be combined with solar energy, whether it’d be a solar roof if you need your roof to be replaced soon or with solar panels installed on the roof. Though Tesla’s solar roof will come later. The first installations are expected for summer 2017.
Tesla’s new residential solar and energy storage solutions are quite innovative. You can visit Tesla’s website to see if they could work for your house or business, but solar and energy storage prices are highly dependent on your market (electricity cost, gov incentives, etc.) and your property. We suggest to get quotes from more than one installer to make sure you get the best energy solution for your place. UnderstandSolar is a great free service to link you to top-rated solar installers in your region for personalized solar estimates for free.
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