The arrival of the Tesla Powerwall 2 is highly anticipated in the home energy storage and solar market since the unveiling of the product in October 2016.
When it first unveiled the Powerwall 2, Tesla released specs for two versions, a DC version like the first generation Powerwall, and a new AC version with an integrated inverter developed in-house. We now learn that Tesla is discontinuing the DC version everywhere but in America.
The company told Electrek that the AC version offered the “greatest flexibility”:
“Tesla is committed to the development of industry-leading technology and ensuring we always provide our customers with the best products possible. The AC Powerwall includes a Tesla built-in inverter, offering customers the greatest value, flexibility, and ease of installation, regardless of whether they’re pairing Powerwall with new solar, retrofitting, or using the Powerwall for backup. As a result, we will no longer be offering the DC Powerwall, which was the same price and size of the AC Powerwall but did not include an inverter.”
The DC version of the first Powerwall was only compatible with a select few SolarEdge inverters. In North America, you have the SE7600A-USS1 and SE7600A-USS2, and in South Africa, you could pair it with the SolarEdge SE5000 ZAS1 and SE6000- ZAS1.
As we reported last month, Tesla started production of the new Powerwall at the Gigafactory and deliveries are reportedly starting in US markets with a few installers.
Tesla built a decent backlog around the world the $5,000 14 kWh home battery pack and production is ramping up slowly since it has to share the new ‘2170’ battery cell production with the Powerpack 2, Tesla’s utility-scale battery pack.
Currently, the company lists a month-long delay for installations in the US. It should be quicker for people who placed reservations with deposit since the unveiling.
Other popular markets for energy storage, like Australia, South Africa, or Germany, have even longer lead times for new orders.
With the production ramp up of both the Powerpack 2 and now the Powerwall 2, Tesla is expected to make energy storage a more significant part of its business in 2017.
In 2015 after unveiling its new ‘Tesla Energy’ division, the company made $14 million in revenue from the new venture. This week, Tesla confirmed that it made $96 million in 2016.
Any guess what it will be in 2017? Let us know in the comment section below.
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