How Much Does the Tesla Powerwall Cost? (2023 Guide)

The Tesla Powerwall is a popular solar battery that costs between $9,200 and $14,200. It’s backed by one of the top solar energy companies and uses advanced technology to provide higher energy storage and better backup power than other home batteries. The Powerwall also includes cost-saving modes to help you lower your electricity bills. 

Our team analyzed the Tesla Powerwall’s costs, benefits, and key features, plus compared it to other 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.

As of 2023, the Tesla Powerwall costs between $9,200 and $14,200 when purchased directly from Tesla. This pricing does not reflect additional state or federal incentives, such as the federal solar tax credit. Tesla offers purchasing options for inclusion with a solar panel or roofing system or as a standalone purchase.

Incentives and Rebates

Buying a Powerwall as a stand-alone unit or along with a full Tesla solar system qualifies you for the federal solar tax credit. This provides a federal income tax deduction equal to 30% of your solar panel installation costs.

Based on our sample quote for Atlanta, Georgia, a 13.2-kW Tesla solar system costs $30,756, plus $14,200 for one Powerwall. The total system costs $42,256, or $29,579 after applying the federal tax credit. Using a sample quote for Austin, Texas, one stand-alone Powerwall totals $10,176 with all fees, delivery charges, and added sales tax. Using the federal tax credit reduces this price to $7,123. 

You may also qualify for additional state and local credits, rebates, and incentives that lower your solar panel and accessory costs. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information about statewide and local incentives.

Pricing With a Solar System

You can purchase a Powerwall with a Tesla solar system or solar roof. Tesla is one of the only solar installers that offers a free quote directly on its website. Our team requested a quote by entering a street address and average electric bill. 

Pricing starts at $14,200 for one Powerwall. The price per unit decreases when you purchase more batteries. You can purchase a maximum of 10 Powerwalls. Our quote for two Powerwalls at the same address was $22,200, dropping the per-unit price to $11,100. Three units are $30,200. Most homes need only one or two batteries to meet their basic energy storage needs.

Pricing With Tesla Powerwall Direct

Previously, homeowners could only purchase the Powerwall along with a new Tesla solar system. However, Tesla announced in March 2023 via social media that its new Powerwall Direct service will provide stand-alone units in select U.S. markets. This new service allows customers to buy batteries without committing to a full system. Unfortunately, Tesla’s website doesn’t specify which markets the service is available in. 

Our team was successful in getting a quote for Austin, Texas. We found that a single Powerwall starts at $9,200, 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. We were able to order 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

When ordering multiple standalone Powerwalls, the equipment and accessory fees remain the same. 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. We were able to order a maximum of three Powerwalls for $25,200. Our orders included a $200 delivery fee.

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. 

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 Powerwall installers in the Austin area. 

Pricing From Local Installer

If you don’t want to purchase directly through Tesla, you could purchase a Powerwall through a local certified Powerwall installer. Consider this option if you’re simply looking for a new home battery to integrate into your existing solar 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.

One of our team members recently installed solar panels with Freedom Solar Power and added two Tesla Powerwalls for reliable backup power during outages. He said he chose Powerwalls because of Tesla’s brand reputation and history of quality products. 

Overall, he has been pleased with their performance. Freedom Solar Power handled the installation and placed both batteries outside his home. The Tesla app easily pairs with the batteries and allows him to adjust the discharge levels. (You can adjust the percentage for better cost savings or increased power.) He chooses a 35% discharge level to provide more backup power to his home.

Read more: Freedom Solar Power review

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

Features and Specifications

We’ll highlight the Powerwall’s features and specs below:

• Battery chemistry: 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 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.
• Depth of discharge (DoD): Depth of discharge measures how much power you can draw from a battery before their recharging efficiency drops. The industry standard is between 80% and 100%. Both Tesla Powerwall models have a 100% DoD, meaning you can charge to their full battery capacity every time. 
• Installation options: The Powerwall 2 can be added to existing systems with other brand-name inverters, such as Enphase, SolarEdge, and SMA. Tesla provides a full list of compatible inverters on its website. The Powerwall+ comes with its own dedicated inverter, making it a better choice for a new solar system. 
• Round-trip efficiency: 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%, making it an efficient storage solution.

The Tesla Powerwall has three operating modes to help homeowners customize the battery to their needs. It offers automatic backup power during blackouts and periods of high electricity rates. The Powerwall  also requires several components, including a wifi-enabled gateway, to function.  Below is an overview of the Powerwall’s operating modes and basic components. 

Modes of Operation

The Powerwall includes three operating modes to manage and improve battery performance.

• Self-powered mode: The Powerwall will collect excess energy generated during the day and store it for use at night. The battery continues to charge until the capacity is reached. Any excess energy beyond this threshold is sent back to the power grid. This mode offers the best cost savings by effectively using your excess solar power. 
• Backup reserve mode: This mode provides electricity to your home during power outages. The Powerwall automatically switches to this function when it detects no active power generation from your system. You can adjust the reserved percentage to allocate more or less stored power for future outages.  
• Time-based control: This option pairs well with utility companies that use time-of-use (TOU) pricing for electricity. Your TOU rate fluctuates based on the time of day and power demand. The Powerwall will charge during low TOU rate time periods and discharge energy when rates are high, providing automatic savings throughout the year.

Parts of the Powerwall

Here’s an overview of a Powerwall’s basic parts. 

• Powerwall battery: This rechargeable battery stores your system’s excess energy. 
• Tesla Gateway (Backup Gateway 2): This device regulates your solar system’s grid connection and monitors for outages, tracks energy use, and controls backup power functions. The Backup Gateway 2 is the latest version used by both Powerwall models and requires a Wi-Fi or ethernet connection. 
• Gateway meters: The Powerwall contains two internal meters to regulate power charging and distribution to and from your solar and grid systems. 
• Backup switch: This component works with the backup power features and detects power outages. It works with whole-home backup configurations and requires approval from your utility company. 
• Tesla solar shutdown device: This safety device installs on your roof and provides immediate inverter shutdowns as a safety precaution. The National Electric Code, issued by the National Fire Protection Association, requires this device.

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

The Powerwall warranty includes the following clauses:

• 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.
• Four-year workmanship warranty: This warranty covers any replacements or repairs due to poor installation. It also covers the shipping for any necessary replacement parts. 
• 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%.

How long a Powerwall can supply your home with energy is weather-dependent.

With one Powerwall:

• Cloudy/winter days: 1 day
• Sunny/summer days: 2.5 days

With two Powerwalls:

• Cloudy/winter days: 1.5 days
• Sunny/summer days: 7+ days

The battery can provide electricity to most 120-volt appliances and electric outlets. High-powered systems, such as air-conditioners, require additional Powerwalls. 

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 reduce more quickly. This setup is best for homeowners living in areas with inclement weather that causes blackouts. This is also a good option for those who want backup power for their home and can afford multiple Powerwalls. Most homes will need three or more Powerwalls for adequate 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.

You’ll need adequate space for the full Powerwall system, including the battery and gateway box. The Powerwall needs a 4-by-5-foot space with 6 feet of clearance in the front. The gateway box requires a 2-by-3-foot space and a strong Wi-Fi signal or ethernet cable connection. 

The Powerwall can serve as an energy storage system for off-grid solar systems. Unlike most home solar systems that connect to the power grid, off-grid systems run without any ties to traditional electricity sources. Off-grid systems cost more than grid-tied systems since you need more solar panels and batteries to run your home. 

Typical off-grid homes need an average of 7–10 kW of solar power. The Powerwall only supplies 5 kW of power, so you’ll need three or more to provide ample battery backup to your home. We recommend investing in an additional backup power source to support energy production during cloudy winter months.

The Tesla App has a user-friendly interface that provides complete control over your Powerwall battery. Our team downloaded the app over Wi-Fi with no issues. Once installed, we could add an electric vehicle, Powerwall, or solar inverter to the app, allowing us to track all Tesla products in one location. 

You can change the Powerwall’s operation mode and access your battery’s energy-use monitoring, real-time metrics, and stored energy levels. You can also get weather alerts from the National Weather Service about potential backouts and inclement weather.

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

The Powerwall is an excellent investment for home solar systems or homes with general backup needs. Both Powerwalls offer a high power capacity, cost-saving operating modes, and customizable backup capabilities. Homeowners benefit from lowered energy bills and gain peace of mind with a reliable backup power system. Note that you may experience long wait times when ordering a Powerwall due to its popularity. 

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team aims 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.