You might have heard of the Tesla Powerwall–It’s currently leading the market in backup generators for its efficiency, quietness, and ability to hook up to solar panels. However, what if you don’t want to use a Powerwall with solar? Is there even a way to do that?
The short answer is yes: you can hook up a Powerwall to your regular electricity grid and let it soak in the extra energy from there.
However, this will cost you money (whereas solar power would not). It also gets more complicated, because it is difficult to obtain a Powerwall without buying solar panels.
In this guide, I’ll talk about how to get a Tesla Powerwall without buying solar panels, how to install it, and the effects of a Tesla Powerwall on a regular household energy grid. If you’re interested in extra power without investing in solar energy, there is a way to do it!
How to Use a Tesla Powerwall Without Solar
To use a Tesla Powerwall without solar, you’ll have to go through some unofficial methods. Don’t worry–it’s not illegal or anything. It’s just difficult to get a hold of a Powerwall, and you might not have the same resources to set it up.
However, you don’t necessarily need the Tesla technicians to hook up a Powerwall to your grid. All you need are a few tools, a friend to help you lift, and access to your electrical wiring. If you know an electrician, it might be wise to get their assistance as well!
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Buy a Tesla Powerwall
The first step seems easy–buy a Powerwall. You would think that you could go directly to the Tesla website and set up a purchase. However, Tesla only offers Powerwalls as part of their solar panel deals.
If you want to hook it up to your grid and avoid buying panels, you’ll have to purchase a used or refurbished Tesla Powerwall. These are difficult to come by, especially because Powerwalls are highly personalized (like all Tesla products). You can find them online or throughout refurb stores.
However, if you do come across an available Tesla Powerwall or split the purchase with a friend who wants solar power but not the Powerwall, it is pretty easy to install and
Set Up the Powerwall
There are several parts to the Powerwall: the unit itself, the universal communicator (an electrical inverter to convert the energy), and the StorEdge electricity meter and autotransformer. If you can get these set up properly, you’ll be in business with some backup energy!
The Powerwall unit itself simply needs to be bracketed onto your wall. Follow the instructions carefully and always wear hand and eye protection when using tools. Have a friend lift the unit onto the wall with you–it’s not super heavy, just bulky and hard to manage.
You can install the Powerwall itself on your own–it’s simply a big block that attaches to a wall. Pick somewhere accessible in your house, but know that it will take up some space in the house. Most users choose a basement room or their electrical closet if it’s large enough.
Hook up the Electricity
The electricity bits are the more difficult part. You’ll have to set them up where they can be accessed but are also out of the way of kids.
Electrical stuff is tricky, and it’s always better to have a professional electrician help with this part (it doesn’t have to be a Tesla mechanic–your local electrician will do).
The three electrical parts that will connect are the inverter, the electricity meter, and a backup load center. The load center doesn’t have to be a Tesla brand and works like a mini fuse box. It houses the essential breakers in the house so the Powerwall doesn’t bust all the fuses the first time it’s turned on.
Hooking up the load center will be difficult unless you’re lucky enough to already have a smaller fuse box dedicated to essential breakers. However, most people will have to pay to get this installed so the Tesla doesn’t overwhelm the system.
The inverter and meter are external parts and once they’re hooked up, you’ll be able to turn on your Tesla Powerwall. I recommend waiting until everything is set up to do this–it’s extremely dangerous if the unit isn’t hooked up to the energy source yet.
Connect the Inverter to Your Grid
Once the electrical backdrop is created, connecting the Tesla to the power grid is a breeze (again, if you’re a professional. Otherwise, hire someone). The inverter connects to the backup load center and the power meter and can be connected to the wifi for maximum efficiency.
The inverter converts electrical energy to storable energy and back when necessary. It can connect to your grid, solar panels, or any external source of electricity. You can even convert energy from a different external generator to your Tesla Powerwall.
However, the inverter doesn’t just connect to the grid or solar panels. It can connect to multiple power optimizers (used when solar panels are installed) and the meter. The inverter is the key to the whole operation–it converts energy and takes out stored energy as needed.
Use the Tesla Powerwall as an Energy Backup
Once you’ve connected the energy source to the grid, it will automatically start pulling energy until it’s full. The Tesla Powerwall is a big battery, and once it’s full of energy, it will shut down and wait to add energy back into the system.
The power meter monitors the levels of the Powerwall, the grid, and the house itself. If the city power shuts down, the meter automatically switches the Powerwall on and it converts the energy back into the house. You’ll be able to control this manually.
The main reason to use the Tesla Powerwall without solar energy is to use it as an energy backup.
Although you won’t save money on electricity or use more clean energy, you will have some electrical independence. It’s vital to know that you and your family will be safe during a storm or other blackout conditions.
See Related: Best Tesla Solar Rental Alternatives
How Does a Tesla Powerwall Work Without Solar?
Without solar, a Powerwall works the same way. However, instead of being hooked up to solar panels, it’s taking the excess energy from the grid. The process of the Powerwall is the same, it’s just the source of energy that’s different.
The only way that this will affect you is in your energy bill. When Powerwalls take solar energy, they are harvesting it directly from the sun. The stored energy will come at no extra cost to you. However, a Powerwall that’s connected to the grid will take energy from the city and up your power bill.
The Tesla Powerwall might not save you money, but it will provide you with extra energy. Tesla products are also very energy efficient, so you could end up using less energy than a grid if you use the Powerwall regularly.
See Related: Best Tesla Financing Rates in the Market
How To Use the Powerwall in Combination with the Grid
If you are not using solar power, using the Tesla Powerwall as a backup is your best plan. However, some users switch back and forth between Tesla and the city grid to save money. Instead of using the Backup Only power mode, you can switch to Time Based Control.
In some places, energy can be less expensive at certain times of the day. For the extremely savvy Powerwall owner, you can store up energy in the Tesla during these times and then use the Tesla when energy is more expensive (usually at night or during dinnertime, when everyone is home from work).
To take advantage of the off-peak energy hours and set your house on a timer, you can use Tesla’s Time Based Control feature. Instead of storing energy and releasing it when the grid is down, this system can be set to a timer that you control and will store and release energy as you need it to.
Time-Based Control is awesome if you are on a time-of-use plan because it will help your electricity bill go down. You’ll have to do some research and discover when the cheapest electricity times are. Set your Tesla to turn on and charge during those times, and then it will be full of cheaper electricity.
Once you’ve set the charging times, make sure that you set up a discharge time during a more expensive time of day (usually during the day or evening instead of late at night). You might not save as much money as you would with solar, but you can still use it to save on your electricity bill.
Note: If you decide to use the Time Based Control, you won’t be able to use the Tesla Powerwall as a backup option. It will only be set to charge and discharge at certain times, so it might be empty if the power goes out before the Powerwall can charge again.
See Related: Tesla Road Trip: 1800 Miles in 3 Days (Case Study)
Final Thoughts
Tesla is a powerful company when it comes to technology and green energy. However, it’s not always necessary to use solar panels when buying a Tesla Powerwall.
If you can find a Powerwall without having to buy solar panels, you are in luck! This unit is one of the best ways to provide backup energy for your family during an emergency.
FAQ
Of course, there are many more details about Tesla Powerwalls and how they can be used in homes. Here are some related questions that might interest you.
What is a Tesla Powerwall?
A Tesla Powerwall is the Tesla version of a backup generator. It stores extra energy and can kick on automatically if the power goes out.
Tesla Powerwalls can work up to a week with no extra energy source and are perfect for emergencies. You can also use them in conjunction with regular energy.
Do I Need a Tesla Car to Get a Powerwall?
Although you might need to buy Tesla solar panels to get your hands on a Powerwall, you do not need to buy a Tesla vehicle.
They are separate products and aren’t necessarily related. However, if you own a Tesla, having a backup source of energy is a great idea (since you can’t just go to the gas station anymore).
Does Tesla Sell Powerwalls Without Solar?
Unfortunately, Tesla no longer sells Powerwalls on their own. While they come with any solar panel purchase, it’s impossible to buy just a Powerwall unless you buy it used.
Tesla made this move in 2021 because Powerwalls were a hugely growing market and they wanted to increase clean energy.
Can I Install a Tesla Powerwall On My Own?
No. Unless you’re a licensed electrician, it’s not recommended to install Powerwalls on your own.
The technology involves a lot of electrical knowledge and could be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. However, you don’t necessarily have to hire a Tesla electrician to help install it.
Is It Worth It To Install a Tesla Powerwall Without Solar?
It depends on what you want the Powerwall for. If you are trying to save money on your energy bill, then you probably need solar power to do that.
If your Powerwall is connected to the grid, the electricity it stores for an emergency will cost just as much as regular electricity. You will likely see your electricity bill rise.
However, if you are looking for some electrical independence and a solid backup generator, the Tesla Powerwall is an excellent choice. When used sparingly, the energy inside a Powerwall can last a regular household an entire week. If the power goes out, you will be set for a while.
Will a Tesla Powerwall Save Me Money?
If you install solar panels with your Powerwall, it will save you money in the long run. The installation of a Powerwall and some solar panels is not cheap.
However, the Powerwall can take all the energy it needs directly from the sun, and this won’t reflect on your energy bill. You can use the Powerwall as a backup or supplemental energy source and save in the long run.
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