Tesla’s promise of energy independence has always been alluring, but with the Powerwall 3, it feels tantalisingly within reach. This sleek, wall-mounted battery isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a potential game-changer for homeowners ready to take control of their energy consumption and slash those electricity bills.
Contents
- Refined concept delivers what 70% of users need
- Value exists in more than energy storage
- One app—Enhanced user experience
- Compatible with new and existing solar energy systems
- 3-phase compatibility limited through net metering (single-phase architecture)
Tesla has a way of resonating with a large portion of the population through design. It seems like there is an almost unspoken concept within their product suite for the homeowner with few options: four cars, one home battery, and one EV charger—a super refined product suite considering the brand’s market capitalisation. Yet all product options fulfil or exceed the expectations of a large demographic of users.
From the outside looking in, the motive is to “Appeal to the majority of users with broad design appeal. The minority will work itself out.” And that is what Tesla Powerwall 3 is. The energy storage device that ‘most’ users need to sustain energy independence effectively.
Video: Tesla displays Powerwall 3 in a fish tank to prove the operational characteristics during an ingress scenario.
Three output versions of Tesla Powerwall 3 exist in Australia to better accommodate regional limitations. You can select from 5, 10, or 11.5 kW power output options with the same 13.5 kW storage capacity. It depends on what the DNSP (Distributed Network Service Provider) will allow you to connect to the electricity grid.
All options are virtually the same unit, factory programmed to a nominated output. Therefore, inside all Tesla Powerwall 3 systems, 3 x MPPT solar input is permitted with up to 20 kW solar capacity! This is HUGE. Single-phase homes with as low as 5kW inverter capacity can now accommodate up to 20 kW of solar panels, generating a broader and more consistent energy yield if the available rooftop surface area exists.
Perth and Bunbury Region Western Australia.
Consider only the 5kW output version of Tesla Powerwall 3. Restrictions exist on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) operated by Western Power for embedded supplies. Unlike most major capital cities in Australia, embedded generation systems on the Western Power network have a 5kW single-phase limit. Export limiting isn’t an option for single-phase power supplies, while three-phase embedded generation systems are permitted to export limit energy supply to the grid.
Model | Output (AC) | Inverter | Additional Battery compatibility | Download | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | TPW3 (single-phase) | 5, 10 kW | Solar & Battery | TPW3 multiples | Coming |
Powerwall 3: A single-phase solar and battery inverter inside, promoting an all-in-one minimalist high-power-density energy solution. The 3 x DC solar input and internal DC battery (hybrid) to AC grid-tie output is compatible with multiples of AC-coupled Telsa Powerwall 3 variants. In most instances, Tesla Powerwall 3 base quotations from a reputable installer include a Tesla Gateway.
Tesla Premium Certified. Get your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.
Tesla defined the modern home ‘energy ecosystem’ that we know today. It is an all-encompassing suite of energy products communicating together to improve user outcomes. An ongoing investment in software engineering makes Tesla Powerwall 3 stand out among those who compete and flaunt the now-everyday term. This future-focused investment paves the way for an energy suite of products providing actionable insights through an all-in-one platform: the Tesla App.
Image: The Tesla App provides a superior user experience through high-level software engineering.
An interesting aspect of Tesla’s Powerwall 3’s energy ecosystem is the ability to achieve deep customisation from a minimalist product suite. Previously, manufacturers would double down on your ‘brand’ investment to achieve an energy ecosystem result through an arduous task of producing more technology encased in different boxes. Then label it with a fun name to make you feel better about spending an extra $1000 to $2000+. More of an afterthought, the expanded ecosystem device could have been included in the original design and define market empowerment.
Some in manufacturing may call Tesla’s energy ecosystem poor business compared to the previous era of sustainable energy devices. Still, it defines itself to broad appeal through a minimalist yet comprehensive energy solution. Powerwall 3 is remotely upgradeable through firmware updates towards advanced features and functions.
Model | Attribute | Advantages | Download | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gateway | Energy monitoring & signalling. Backup power and load control | View energy import and export from the point of supply within Tesla App. Provides surplus energy signalling/control to ecosystem devices. Manage power distribution under normal operation and during blackout scenario’s | Datasheet |
| Battery | 5 or 10 kW AC coupled energy storage. 13.5 kWh modular options. | Store excess solar energy for later use. Provide blackout protection when installing additional circuitry and Gateway. | Datasheet |
 | Tesla EV Charger | Electric vehicle charging. 7/11 kW | Charge your electric vehicle standard. Or solar optimised, charge your electric vehicle with excess solar energy without exporting to the grid (Powerwall 3 required). | Datasheet |
 | Tesla App | Real-time & historical energy profiling | Web app for visualisation to full profile energy utilisation insight. Management and control of connected devices. | Datasheet |
Gateway: Tesla’s energy Gateway is where the intelligence of the Tesla Energy ecosystem comes together. It is the central hub required for premises load control and tracking, the communication gateway to the connected world for virtual real-time monitoring of your energy independence, and a device needed to operate Tesla Powerwall 3.
Powerwall 3: Most people need a minimum of 13.5 kWh of energy storage to effectively offset peak-period loads, which is precisely why Tesla didn’t alter the energy density between the Powerwall 2 and Powerwall 3 models. What they did change, though, was the ability to input up to 3 independent solar arrays into the battery system, totalling up to 20 kW input. There is no need for an additional solar inverter on single-phase power supplies. Available in two power output models in Australia: 5 or 10 kW
Wall Connector: Tesla’s electric vehicle fast charger is beautifully versatile. The one model accommodates single [7kW] and three-phase [11kW] power supplies and has a relative 7 kW single phase to 11 kW 3 phase maximum charge rate. Your property’s power supply will most often determine the electric vehicle charging configuration.
Tesla Energy App: This is one of the more advanced user applications available. Tesla invests significantly in software engineering for the energy ecosystem experience. One should expect a consistently evolving, superior energy management portal for vehicles, charging, storage, and the generation of Tesla devices. Expectedly, the Tesla app is one of the best available in this rapidly evolving space.
Perth’s leading battery installers. Ensure a quote by a proven and local Tesla partner.
Accompanied by one of the more straightforward warranties to discern, the Tesla Powerwall 3 is built for a minimum of 10 years of energy security guaranteed. However, the poignant questions in any manufacturer guarantee surround exclusions over the period.
The great news is that Powerwall 3 and all associated components for operation, such as the Gateway, come with a 10-year Tesla product integrity guarantee. The battery pack’s performance indicates a storage capacity degradation of no greater than 30% by year 10. Powerwall 3 has an outstanding warranty compared to most competing batteries, which may discount the associated components or internal inverter warranty.
Covered Product | Covered Part* | Warranty Period |
|---|---|---|
Powerwall 3 | Battery | 10 years
|
– | –
| |
Accessories | Tesla Energy Gateway
| 10 years
|
– | – | |
– | – |
We’ve seen this exclusion with most modern home battery manufacturers, and it’s there for good reason, so it’s vital to adhere to the 10-year warranty period.
Important:
Tesla Powerwall 3 comes with a warranty, which depends on the connection of the Powerwall 3 to the Internet.
To secure the full 10-year warranty for Powerwall 3, it must be reliably connected to the Internet to allow remote firmware upgrades from Tesla. If an Internet connection is not established or is interrupted for an extended period, and Tesla is unable to contact you, the warranty may be limited to 4 years.
For more information, refer to the Tesla Powerwall Warranty for your region at tesla.com/support/energy/powerwall/documents.
Review the attached warranty download for the complete list of exclusions, warranty definitions, warranty extension options, the warranty claims process, and your Rights beyond manufacturer guarantees.
For those seeking more geographically diverse manufacturing origins, Tesla Powerwall 3 models received in Australia are ‘Made in the USA’ from the Tesla Gigafactory in the aptly named ‘Sparks’ Nevada. That said, no matter which global Gigafactory broader Tesla products hail from, a remarkable script exists, better aligning with a global target to lower the CO2 footprint within the distribution networks. Robotic manufacturing from these facilities ensures a precision universal standard, regardless of geographic origin.
Energy storage prices evaluated at a cost per kWh level better normalise how much you spend on energy storage from any battery. What is interesting is Powerwall 3’s position on the price per kWh spectrum for the features compared to market alternatives. Tesla Powerwall 3 offers one of the most competitive storage values per kWh, including the advanced load control mechanism of Tesla Gateway.
Adding energy density in ‘Expansion’ modules when available will further assist lower the cost per kWh of an expanded Powerwall 3 system due to the absence of negligible additions for improved energy density.
Model | Useable Storage kWh | Approx. Cost p/kWh1 | PSW Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 5kW Tesla Powerwall 3 (inc. gateway) | 13.5 | $1185 | Quote |
| 10kW Tesla Powerwall 3 (inc. gateway) | 13.5 | $1185 | n/a |
1. Approximate cost per kWh installed, based on values relevant within 30 days of the article post date.
The above-listed prices are general only. Ensure our best Tesla Powerwall 3 prices: Get your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue with variable size options.
Final chance. Your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.
Tesla Powerwall 3 simplifies yet expands the home energy ecosystem. However, with Tesla solar panels absent in Australia, the next question is which solar panels you should choose to complement the Tesla Powerwall 3. We’ve done the research and believe four module options appeal to a broad range of shoppers based on leading specifications, brand reputation, local assurance and value for the technology inside.
Value: Risen Energy has a reputation in Australia as a preferred solar panel brand incorporated within utility-scale projects such as the Merredin solar farm. Compined with leading specifications it’s a hard solar panel to ignore with an appealing cost.
Review: Risen solar panels: 5 things you need to know before investing
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N-Type module: More than a new era n-type module, the Jinko Tiger Neo combines superior durability and performance for assured energy investment. Jinko reins as one of Australia’s favourite solar panel brands with over 1,000,000 Jinko Tiger Neo 440W n-type solar panels shipped (Aug 2023).
Review: Which Jinko Solar panels should you consider?
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Most innovative: Aiko Energy has developed one of the most efficient solar panels commercially available. The Aiko Neostar range is a residential solar module incorporating an InterSolar Award-winning (2023) ABC n-type architecture that complements Tesla’s advanced ecosystem in the absence of Tesla solar panels in Australia.
Review: AIKO set to revolutionise the Australian market
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Trusted: ‘Better, not bigger’ is the REC phrase to catch bloated panels marketed as superior off-guard, and we couldn’t agree more. Just because a solar panel has a higher power class doesn’t mean it’s better. Precisely why many researched investors highly value the multi-award-winning brand for innovation. Built in Singapore.
Review: Are the benefits of REC Solar panels worth the cost?
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Single-phase power supplies: Yes, supposing self-sustainable energy foresight validates the cost per kWh energy storage value. Powerwall 3 is one of the lowest in terms of cost per kWh plus added function. Features such as Storm Watch and Blackout Protection have the potential to support an entire home power supply in the event of a grid failure and improve overall value from energy savings alone. Plus, for the power-hungry, accomodate up a 20 kW combined solar input through three independent trackers.
Three-phase power supplies: It depends on your scenario (and we hate saying that!). In many instances, without a native 3-phase connection, Tesla Powerwall 3 will face limitations imposed by the local DNSP (Distributed Network Service Provider). The good news is that if there is an existing 3-phase solar inverter, Tesla Powerwall 3 can operate an AC-coupled battery with that solar energy system using one phase and offset the alternative two phases (in energy savings) through net metering, which is similar to most Australian regions.
Is the Tesla Powerwall 3 worth it for you?
- Determine if you have a single-phase or three-phase power supply.
- Consider your average daily consumption (check energy bill) kwh - units per day.
- Consider whit times of the day you use energy moree? E.g: 60% night v 40% day.
- If solar panels aren't an option, consider Powerwall 3's dynamic tariff utilisation towards improved energy security.
The good news is that Powerwall 3s offer added value beyond stored solar savings and redefined simplicity. It will come at a higher price in Australia than Powerwall 2, meeting expectations. Released with an indicator of ‘more function inside’, the remaining aspects of the build subject to market and supply chain. There almost had to be a surcharge in Australia, where installer margins are some of the lowest internationally through heavy competition, which makes absorbing cost changes nearly impossible.
For many, the barrier exists with an undersold evaluation of their energy storage requirements. At 13.5 kWh useable storage capacity, the Tesla Powerwall 3 is another energy storage device at a good value per kWh compared to any home battery on the market. As opposed to making a lower adoption hurdle in upfront cost, Tesla allocates the ideal entry-level energy storage capacity for most home users seeking practical energy independence in the most simplified format. However, its unique functions and features through user experience [with the broader energy ecosystem] make it the home energy solution that raises the bar, setting a new benchmark in user standards in home energy solutions.
Single-phase power supply suitability: 5/5 stars
Three phase power supply suitability 4.5/5 stars
