Anyone got solar panels and Tesla Powerwall ?

[Robert Clark]

Looking to add a Tesla Powerwall at home due to un reliable power supply.

Tesla is heavily promoting their Tesla Energy Plan whereby if you’ve also got MCS solar you can sell exported electric for 10 -12p per KWH and buy at the same price.

Anyone had any experience of this ?

Seems to make buying solar panels a no-brainer. Or am I missing something?

Broken Link Removed

 

[Tombola]

I was pondering the same, but Im not ideally faced for maximum gain.
Id be interested to hear how you get on, Im at the stage of thinking about frames in the garden to hold the panels.

I have been watching these for a while https://fullycharged.show/episodes/tesla-powerwall-2-update/

 

[Stroppy Bird]

We used to get lots of micro power losses but I haven't really noticed them much over the last few years so the reliability of our supply is much better. I've looked into the Powerwall and Tesla energy plan and using my energy consumption, the price cap electric price from 1st April and 11p per kWh Tesla price plan my payback period would be 10 years.

I would like to fit it - it's purely the huge upfront cost that is the limiting factor.

 

[Ejaydee]

Not yet, but already have the solar panels and the Tesla battery is on order. Unfortunately will not be fitted until the Autumn.

 

[Garratt]

Is there any reason why you are looking specifically at a Powerwall and not any other battery storage system. We're currently having a look at options, and even though we own a Tesla Model 3, I'm not wedded to having a Powerwall to go with it. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

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[Robert Clark]

Is there any reason why you are looking specifically at a Powerwall and not any other battery storage system. We're currently having a look at options, and even though we own a Tesla Model 3, I'm not wedded to having a Powerwall to go with it. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

It’s purely the Tesla Energy Plan that’s steering us towards the Powerwall.
Buying / selling electric at 10-12p appears to be much more competitive than other schemes.

 

[mikebeaches]

We had a 20 x 360-watt solar pv array fitted thirteen days ago, together with 13kWh (2 x 6.5) of Growatt lithium storage and a smart hybrid inverter.

Since then we've effectively been self-sufficient for electric and free of the grid, even though we've had to contend with storms Eunice and Franklin, together with extensive cloud and rain for the last four days here in the west.

Obviously cost a lot less than the Tesla Powerwall - the batteries were £4,737 inc 5% vat for the two.

However, it's early days and we've no intention of disconnecting from the grid. Nonetheless, we've been impressed how effective the set up has been so far, especially given the time of year. The batteries are warranted for 10 years, and I think it's 25 for the panels.

From my perspective, the batteries are a game changer.

 

[Silver-Fox]

We had a 20 panel solar pv array fitted twelve days ago, together with 13kWh of Growatt lithium storage and a smart hybrid inverter.

We're impressed so far and have effectively been free of the grid since then, even though we've had storms Eunice and Franklin, together with extensive cloud and rain for the last four days here in the west.

Obviously cost a lot less than the Tesla Powerwall - the batteries were £4,737 inc 5% vat for the two.

However, it's early days and we've no intention of disconnecting from the grid. Nonetheless, we've been impressed how effective the set up has been so far, especially given the time of year. The batteries are warranted for 10 years, and I think it's 25 for the panels.

View attachment 591370View attachment 591371

Out of interest.
Is the warranty backed by the installer, the manufacturer or an insurance.

My thoughts go back to the early years of UPVC windows and doors with their warranties.
We know what happened there.

 

[mikebeaches]

Out of interest.
Is the warranty backed by the installer, the manufacturer or an insurance.

My thoughts go back to the early years of UPVC windows and doors with their warranties.
We know what happened there.

Both the manufacturer and additionally insurance warranties.

 

[mikebeaches]

Looking to add a Tesla Powerwall at home due to un reliable power supply.

Tesla is heavily promoting their Tesla Energy Plan whereby if you’ve also got MCS solar you can sell exported electric for 10 -12p per KWH and buy at the same price.

Anyone had any experience of this ?

Seems to make buying solar panels a no-brainer. Or am I missing something?

Broken Link Removed

Thanks for the link to the Tesla Energy Plan - an interesting concept, which I wasn't aware of, even though I knew something of the Tesla Powerwall. And I note the Tesla plan is tied up with Octopus Energy, which seems to be the leader and innovator in the field of solar generation and storage. We're on to them at the moment exploring the most relevant tariffs.

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[Robert Clark]

We had a 20 x 360-watt solar pv array fitted thirteen days ago, together with 13kWh (2 x 6.5) of Growatt lithium storage and a smart hybrid inverter.

Since then we've effectively been self-sufficient for electric and free of the grid, even though we've had to contend with storms Eunice and Franklin, together with extensive cloud and rain for the last four days here in the west.

Obviously cost a lot less than the Tesla Powerwall - the batteries were £4,737 inc 5% vat for the two.

However, it's early days and we've no intention of disconnecting from the grid. Nonetheless, we've been impressed how effective the set up has been so far, especially given the time of year. The batteries are warranted for 10 years, and I think it's 25 for the panels.

From my perspective, the batteries are a game changer.

View attachment 591370View attachment 591371

Do your batteries cut in automatically and provide backup power in the event of a power cut?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Both the manufacturer and additionally insurance warranties.

That’s good then

 

[DavidG58]

We had a 20 x 360-watt solar pv array fitted thirteen days ago, together with 13kWh (2 x 6.5) of Growatt lithium storage and a smart hybrid inverter.

Since then we've effectively been self-sufficient for electric and free of the grid

That’s impressive, did you need permission to exceed 4Kw of solar which I thought was a limit without extra approval

We have 20 x 410w panels on ours fitted last year, our house was originally two separate properties both with their own meters. We still take from the grid during day on cloudy days and don’t think 13Kw would see us to midnight even if fully charged at sunset

But we are seriously considering the Tesla option due to the very attractive rates for grid consumption and buy back

Robert Clark how much is the Tesla battery ?

 

[Robert Clark]

That’s impressive, did you need permission to exceed 4Kw of solar which I thought was a limit without extra approval

We have 20 x 410w panels on ours fitted last year, our house was originally two separate properties both with their own meters. We still take from the grid during day on cloudy days and don’t think 13Kw would see us to midnight even if fully charged at sunset

But we are seriously considering the Tesla option due to the very attractive rates for grid consumption and buy back

Robert Clark how much is the Tesla battery ?

About £8k - £9k

 

[MichaelT]

We had a 20 x 360-watt solar pv array fitted thirteen days ago, together with 13kWh (2 x 6.5) of Growatt lithium storage and a smart hybrid inverter.

Since then we've effectively been self-sufficient for electric and free of the grid, even though we've had to contend with storms Eunice and Franklin, together with extensive cloud and rain for the last four days here in the west.

Obviously cost a lot less than the Tesla Powerwall - the batteries were £4,737 inc 5% vat for the two.

However, it's early days and we've no intention of disconnecting from the grid. Nonetheless, we've been impressed how effective the set up has been so far, especially given the time of year. The batteries are warranted for 10 years, and I think it's 25 for the panels.

From my perspective, the batteries are a game changer.

View attachment 591370View attachment 591371

Was the £4,737 including the panels or were they extra? and was this the fitted price?

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[mikebeaches]

Was the £4,737 including the panels or were they extra? and was this the fitted price?

£4,737 was just for the batteries to be installed, as part of the total package - the array of 20 solar pv panels cost £7,149 inc 5% vat.

 

[DavidG58]

Was the £4,737 including the panels or were they extra? and was this the fitted price?

I think that’s just batteries, based on our 2 x 4Kw panel systems costing just over £8K inc fitting but no batteries

 

[cbrookson]

Don't forget you can store off peak to use during the day in winter as well.
That saves us money on top of simple excess solar storage.

I have a Victron Multiplus inverter/ charger with Pylontech batteries and a 4kWh Solar system (which I didn't want to change as I am getting Feed in Tariff).

Cheers

 

[mikebeaches]

That’s impressive, did you need permission to exceed 4Kw of solar which I thought was a limit without extra approval

We have 20 x 410w panels on ours fitted last year, our house was originally two separate properties both with their own meters. We still take from the grid during day on cloudy days and don’t think 13Kw would see us to midnight even if fully charged at sunset

But we are seriously considering the Tesla option due to the very attractive rates for grid consumption and buy back

Robert Clark how much is the Tesla battery ?

No special permission required - our array has a potential 7.2kWh generation capacity.

We purchased through a group buying scheme organised by an outfit called 'Solar Together' working in partnership with our Local Authority.

https://solartogether.co.uk/landing

Consequently, I can't image it exceeded any specific limit? I certainly wasn't aware of one.

 

[mikebeaches]

Do your batteries cut in automatically and provide backup power in the event of a power cut?

An interesting question.

I think there is an assumption by many that that will be the case with battery storage, but apparently it's illegal unless some very special software and switching is employed. Our installer indicated it wasn't possible for them to provide it.

However, we paid an extra £450 to have a couple of standard power points that do remain live in the event of a power cut - you can see them clearly in the image I posted. This enables us to keep the oil boiler, pump, freezer, wi-fi etc going if we lose the grid - just have to plug in.

I was interested to read that with the Tesla Powerwall, it can be wired to take over automatically if the grid goes down, provided a 'Backup Gateway 2' has also been purchased and installed with the Powerwall.

You probably know all of this stuff, but I found the following link spelt out a lot of information very clearly.

Tesla Powerwall

Tesla Powerwall 2 comprises 13.5 kWh of home battery storage. Read our review on benefits, cost, specs, competitors, backup gateway...

electriccarhome.co.uk

1. You can power devices in your home, using electricity stored in your Powerwall, and
2. If you have solar panels, they will continue to work, providing electricity both to your home and your Powerwall.

Point 2 is really important. Solar inverters have to – by law – turn off if there is a power-cut, otherwise the electricity from your panels might electrocute an engineer working to repair the line.

However, the Backup Gateway gets round this problem. It completely isolates your house from the grid. In this way, the Backup Gateway makes your solar inverter think it is still connected to the grid, and so it carries on working.

All impressive stuff and a big attraction of the Tesla setup!

I was interested to see you can install a bank of up to 10 Powerwalls!! Now that would be something, but close to £100k....

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[MisterB]

Scotland offer an interest free loan, does anyone know if England does? we already have 4kw of solar and adding a battery wall seems like a logical step - though at around 8k its a lot to pay up front, but an interest free loan might be worth going for !

 

[Robert Clark]

Scotland offer an interest free loan, does anyone know if England does? we already have 4kw of solar and adding a battery wall seems like a logical step - though at around 8k its a lot to pay up front, but an interest free loan might be worth going for !

I don’t think the English government does

 

[mikebeaches]

We have 20 x 410w panels on ours fitted last year, our house was originally two separate properties both with their own meters. We still take from the grid during day on cloudy days and don’t think 13Kw would see us to midnight even if fully charged at sunset

20 x 410w array is pretty cool.

You must use a fair bit of electric if 13kWh wouldn't last you until midnight!

We have no gas, so all electric cooking, and yet our average daily consumption throughout the year is around 5.25kWh (circa 2,000kWh pa.).

So the batteries comfortably cover us for two days +, and possibly more with a bit of sunshine.

In truth, although ours are rated at 13kWh, in reality the usable max is 12kWh - they're designed to cut out automatically at that point so as not to exhaust them.

 

[mikebeaches]

I don’t think the English government does

Like Robert Clark, I'm not aware of any interest-free loans in England.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Point 2 is really important. Solar inverters have to – by law – turn off if there is a power-cut, otherwise the electricity from your panels might electrocute an engineer working to repair the line.

I’m sure there are more qualified out there that would know.

But why could you not just have an isolating switch to stop feedback.

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[mikebeaches]

I’m sure there are more qualified out there that would know.

But why could you not just have an isolating switch to stop feedback.

I'm sure it would be relatively straightforward but, unfortunately, not legal.

I assume it's a Health & Safety issue. You or I might always turn off the isolation switch, but that's not sufficient. There is always the risk somebody wouldn't, especially if they didn't appreciate the danger of putting lives at risk.

 

[Howard B]

We had a 20 x 360-watt solar pv array fitted thirteen days ago, together with 13kWh (2 x 6.5) of Growatt lithium storage and a smart hybrid inverter.

Since then we've effectively been self-sufficient for electric and free of the grid, even though we've had to contend with storms Eunice and Franklin, together with extensive cloud and rain for the last four days here in the west.

Obviously cost a lot less than the Tesla Powerwall - the batteries were £4,737 inc 5% vat for the two.

However, it's early days and we've no intention of disconnecting from the grid. Nonetheless, we've been impressed how effective the set up has been so far, especially given the time of year. The batteries are warranted for 10 years, and I think it's 25 for the panels.

From my perspective, the batteries are a game changer.

View attachment 591371

We are about to move house to a property which has 4kw of solar on the roof. One of the first jobs will be to order a battery storage system. My first choice is the Pwerwall, though I may look at alternatves and these seem a lot cheaper. Thanks for posting
Is that the finshed install? Cabelling looks a bit amatuer.
H

 

[Mrjenben]

That’s impressive, did you need permission to exceed 4Kw of solar which I thought was a limit without extra approval

Unless things have changed, you need permission from the grid DNO (District Network Operator) to connect any Solar Migrogeneration to the national network if it’s over 4kw. Most are normally ok but some rural areas might have capacity problems. Even with just 4kw our friends had to get them out to ‘adjust‘ the local transformer as they were pushing the supply voltage over the allowed limits.

We’re thinking about adding battery storage to our Solar PV. The Tesla energy plan sounds interesting, but if I’m reading it right I’m not sure it’s worthwhile if you currently have the best FIT rate which is over 50p kwh. Sounds good for new installs though!

 

[Silver-Fox]

I'm sure it would be relatively straightforward but, unfortunately, not legal.

I assume it's a Health & Safety issue. You or I might always turn off the isolation switch, but that's not sufficient. There is always the risk somebody wouldn't, especially if they didn't appreciate the danger of putting lives at risk.

If the switch doesn’t see a feed from the grid it could drop out.

I’ve worked with a few guys that work on the cables.
There are plenty of safety things in place to prevent electrocution.

Plus most of them work on live cables anyway

 

[mikebeaches]

Unless things have changed, you need permission from the grid DNO (District Network Operator) to connect any Solar Migrogeneration to the national network if it’s over 4kw. Most are normally ok but some rural areas might have capacity problems. Even with just 4kw our friends had to get them out to ‘adjust‘ the local transformer as they were pushing the supply voltage over the allowed limits.

We’re thinking about adding battery storage to our Solar PV. The Tesla energy plan sounds interesting, but if I’m reading it right I’m not sure it’s worthwhile if you currently have the best FIT rate which is over 50p kwh. Sounds good for new installs though!

Interesting! I assume our installer Infinity Renewables https://infinity-renewables.com/ must have taken care of it with the District Network Operator.

As it happens, by complete coincidence, I saw somebody hovering around the telegraph post that carries the power lines to our house at the bottom of our drive a few weeks ago. I asked if I could help and he explained he was from Western Power Distribution (our local DNO), and he knew there was solar being fitted somewhere hereabouts.

The funny thing was, our property was built 36 years ago on an infill plot, and the guy from Western Power said "I just needed to check because your house doesn't appear on any of our maps!!" Gobsmacked was an understatement - I couldn't believe it. If nothing else, have they not heard of Google Maps...

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