Whole-home backup with integrated mobile visibility.
Tesla Powerwall provides reliable backup power for California homeowners who want strong whole-home or critical-load protection, paired with a polished mobile monitoring experience through the Tesla app.
Whole-home capable
When the grid goes down, your Powerwall automatically disconnects from the utility and picks up critical or whole-home loads within seconds. Your panels keep recharging the battery during daylight until the grid comes back online.
13.5 kWh usable per unit
Each Powerwall stores 13.5 kWh of usable energy with a continuous power rating of 5.0 kW and 100% depth-of-discharge. Multiple units can be stacked for larger homes or longer backup duration.
Tesla app monitoring
Track real-time consumption, production, and battery state from the Tesla app on your phone. Storage mode (backup, self-powered, time-based) is configurable directly from the app.
Grid-down? Powerwall keeps the lights on.
In a California outage, most grid-tied solar systems without storage shut off automatically — even in broad daylight. That's a safety requirement, not a design flaw. What changes with Powerwall is that your home switches seamlessly to the battery instead of going dark. Critical circuits — or your whole home, depending on system sizing — keep running on stored solar energy.
During the day, your panels split their production between powering the home and recharging the Powerwall. After dark, the battery discharges into the home. When the grid is restored, the system reconnects automatically and resumes normal operation.
- Usable energy capacity: 13.5 kWh
- Continuous power: 5.0 kW
- Depth of discharge: 100%
- Mount: wall-mounted, typically garage or exterior
- App: Tesla mobile app (iOS + Android)
- Stackable: up to 10 units per install
- Operating modes: backup, self-powered, time-based control
Best suited when you want…
Polished monitoring
The Tesla app is considered one of the cleanest battery-management UIs in residential solar. If you care about seeing exactly what's happening in your home's energy flow, Powerwall delivers that.
Whole-home coverage
With enough stacked capacity, Powerwall can back up your entire home, not just a few critical circuits. This is useful if you don't want to triage which rooms stay on during an outage.
Time-of-use savings
Under California's NEM 3.0 program, evening peak-rate hours are expensive. Powerwall lets you store daytime solar and discharge it during peak-rate windows — turning time-of-use pricing to your advantage.
NEM 3.0 alignment
Adding storage is a key strategy for California homes under NEM 3.0 because the value of energy exported to the grid has changed. Powerwall lets you self-consume more of your own production.
Home resilience
If you work from home, have medical equipment, or live in a PSPS-exposed area, reliable backup isn't optional. Powerwall is built for exactly that use case.
Scalability
Start with one unit, add more later as needs grow or if your household's energy profile changes. Tesla's system supports stacking without a full redesign.
Powerwall questions homeowners ask us.
How does Tesla Powerwall work during a grid outage?
When the utility grid goes down, Powerwall detects the outage and automatically disconnects from the grid in a matter of seconds. Your home switches to battery power, and your rooftop panels continue to recharge the battery during daylight. When the grid is restored, the system reconnects automatically.
How many Powerwalls do I need?
Depends on your home's daily energy use, which circuits you want backed up, and how many hours of backup you want. Many California single-family homes are well served by 1–2 units for critical-load backup; whole-home backup for larger homes may need 2–3 units. Your advisor sizes this based on your actual utility bill.
How much power does Powerwall hold?
Each Powerwall holds 13.5 kWh of usable capacity with a maximum continuous output of 5.0 kW and 100% depth of discharge. For reference, 13.5 kWh is roughly the daily usage of a typical energy-efficient California home.
Where is Powerwall mounted?
Certified installers typically mount Powerwall on a wall in your garage or on the exterior of your home. Placement depends on your electrical panel location, ventilation, and temperature exposure. Your advisor confirms the optimal placement during site assessment.
How much does Powerwall cost?
Pricing depends on how many units you install, your solar system size, and how it's financed. Qualified homeowners may access $0-down pathways through a PPA, loan, or direct purchase — terms are credit-based and confirmed in writing. Your advisor provides exact pricing after a site assessment.
Can I add Powerwall to an existing solar system?
Powerwall is typically paired with a new solar installation because compatibility with existing inverters and electrical architecture varies. Retrofits are possible in some cases — your advisor confirms feasibility after reviewing your existing system.
Size a Powerwall solution for your home.
We review your utility usage, the circuits you want protected, and your backup goals — then recommend how many Powerwalls make sense for your household.
Ask About Powerwall