Because of your channel, I was able to change my existing order from two PW2s to two PW3s mated to my Enphase PV system with IQ8A Micro-Inverters. Now it's a supply issue. Hoping to get them installed by Feb 2025.
Great video, I have shared it with our Chicago relations who are just looking at installing a home solar battery system. Any suggested installers for the Chicago area?
Thanks! I don't have any installers in my network out there, but you can Google "Tesla certified installer" and the first search should take you to Tesla's website to help you find the Tesla certified installers in your area. Then, get a couple of quotes and opinions.
Thank you for all the information. I’ve heard that Tesla has a back up switch that connects to the power meter box and the electric meter goes on top of the switch. What are the limitations of this switch power wise? The other option is to have a separate Tesla transfer switch, which is capable of handling more power when the power goes out..
Glad you enjoyed! In order to use the backup switch, you must be in an approved utility, have a 200A main breaker or lower, and be able to back up all loads found in the main service panel (Whole Home Back-Up). Otherwise, you'd have to install with the Gateway & a critical loads.
I need to confirm this with Tesla. I'd assume so. It'd be hard to believe that Tesla would want to replace the entire assembly in the event of an inverter failure...but we will see what they say.
Not sure if I understand the question. The Powerwall 3 will charge from solar. Then once it’s at 100%, it will export the excess solar energy to the grid. If the grid is down, the PW will control the solar output to only meet your needs.
Yep, absolutely. That would need to be installed with a Tesla Gateway and a critical loads panel, in place of the back-up switch. It'd be an AC-coupled design, but could still serve as whole home back-up if capable of doing so. If you watch the left-side install demo (with Gateway) at 3:58, this would be a good example of how your install would be.
@@Orangedocfamilymedic yes, we have installed it this way. It can be AC-coupled. It cannot be integrated with other Powerwall systems yet though. Like if you have a Powerwall 2 and want to add a Powerwall 3 to it.
I have two Bluetti AC300s Inverters coupled with 4 B300 batteries already tied into a generac sub-panel powering my emergency load circuits, can I tie in a Tesla Powerwall 3 with it?
PW3 doesn’t currently work with other battery systems. However, an installer possibly could treat the system you have as an independent system. The two systems just don’t work together as a team. We have recently done something similar to this and added a PW3 to a home that had a Renogy Lycan. Hope this helps!
@zachsolar excellent feedback. I suspected this might be the case. If I choose the Tesla PW3 that my installer here in the Dallas area can still make use my existing system as another battery source. Really enjoy your channel.
@@tjcampbell811 I really appreciate that feedback. Happy to assist! Not sure if you have an installer already lined up, but if not I’d recommend checking out Good Faith Energy in that area. They have a really good reputation. I can help with securing a quote if needed too.
I heard the complete setup is limited to 4 Powerwalls...is that true? If yes, why is the Tesla website allowing me to select up to 6 Powerwall 3's to purchase?
That's somewhat true. You are limited to 4 Powerwall 3s that are "power-enabled", so 46 kW total (11.5 x 4). However, Tesla has their DC expansion packs that will be coming out soon. This allows you to go above 4 units (up to 16 total), but the additional units will only increase the total kWh capacity but offer no power increase (kW). So 46 kW is the cap, but total capacity can get all the way up to 216 kWh (13.5 x 16). Hope this helps clarify!
Probably not ideal day to day, but during a grid outage...I'd say you use it for as long as you can. Tesla will begin to shut it down around 5% capacity.
This was my first YT video, so if you thought it wasn’t absolutely terrible then you might enjoy my other videos 😂 subscribe for more!
Because of your channel, I was able to change my existing order from two PW2s to two PW3s mated to my Enphase PV system with IQ8A Micro-Inverters. Now it's a supply issue. Hoping to get them installed by Feb 2025.
Glad that it ended up working out! That little extra wait will be worth having the latest tech on such a big investment.
So much value in this content. Thank you!
Great video, I have shared it with our Chicago relations who are just looking at installing a home solar battery system. Any suggested installers for the Chicago area?
Thanks! I don't have any installers in my network out there, but you can Google "Tesla certified installer" and the first search should take you to Tesla's website to help you find the Tesla certified installers in your area. Then, get a couple of quotes and opinions.
@@ZachSolar Thank you.
Thank you for all the information. I’ve heard that Tesla has a back up switch that connects to the power meter box and the electric meter goes on top of the switch. What are the limitations of this switch power wise? The other option is to have a separate Tesla transfer switch, which is capable of handling more power when the power goes out..
Glad you enjoyed! In order to use the backup switch, you must be in an approved utility, have a 200A main breaker or lower, and be able to back up all loads found in the main service panel (Whole Home Back-Up). Otherwise, you'd have to install with the Gateway & a critical loads.
Can the inverter be replaced?
I need to confirm this with Tesla. I'd assume so. It'd be hard to believe that Tesla would want to replace the entire assembly in the event of an inverter failure...but we will see what they say.
Amazing info! Each PW3 can handle 20 kW of solar panels - if I buy 2 PW3’s, can I go up to 40 kW of solar?
Thanks! And yep, that is correct.
Great content!
I’ve not watched the video completely but what if you solar power continuously inputting power in?
Not sure if I understand the question. The Powerwall 3 will charge from solar. Then once it’s at 100%, it will export the excess solar energy to the grid. If the grid is down, the PW will control the solar output to only meet your needs.
I have Enphase IQ8A micro inverters, so can I mate the PW3 to them? What would the wiring diagram look like?
Yep, absolutely. That would need to be installed with a Tesla Gateway and a critical loads panel, in place of the back-up switch. It'd be an AC-coupled design, but could still serve as whole home back-up if capable of doing so. If you watch the left-side install demo (with Gateway) at 3:58, this would be a good example of how your install would be.
You are saying that powerwall 3 can be installed in a retrofit setting, aren’t you?
@@Orangedocfamilymedic yes, we have installed it this way. It can be AC-coupled. It cannot be integrated with other Powerwall systems yet though. Like if you have a Powerwall 2 and want to add a Powerwall 3 to it.
I have two Bluetti AC300s Inverters coupled with 4 B300 batteries already tied into a generac sub-panel powering my emergency load circuits, can I tie in a Tesla Powerwall 3 with it?
PW3 doesn’t currently work with other battery systems. However, an installer possibly could treat the system you have as an independent system. The two systems just don’t work together as a team.
We have recently done something similar to this and added a PW3 to a home that had a Renogy Lycan. Hope this helps!
@zachsolar excellent feedback. I suspected this might be the case. If I choose the Tesla PW3 that my installer here in the Dallas area can still make use my existing system as another battery source. Really enjoy your channel.
@@tjcampbell811 I really appreciate that feedback. Happy to assist! Not sure if you have an installer already lined up, but if not I’d recommend checking out Good Faith Energy in that area. They have a really good reputation. I can help with securing a quote if needed too.
I heard the complete setup is limited to 4 Powerwalls...is that true? If yes, why is the Tesla website allowing me to select up to 6 Powerwall 3's to purchase?
That's somewhat true. You are limited to 4 Powerwall 3s that are "power-enabled", so 46 kW total (11.5 x 4). However, Tesla has their DC expansion packs that will be coming out soon. This allows you to go above 4 units (up to 16 total), but the additional units will only increase the total kWh capacity but offer no power increase (kW). So 46 kW is the cap, but total capacity can get all the way up to 216 kWh (13.5 x 16). Hope this helps clarify!
@@ZachSolar That helps, thank you!
You never want to empty a battery. You should know that.
Probably not ideal day to day, but during a grid outage...I'd say you use it for as long as you can. Tesla will begin to shut it down around 5% capacity.