Tesla Energy Plan User Guide

Our mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

When connected to the Tesla Energy Plan, the value of your Powerwall and Solar are being maximised as part of the Tesla Virtual Power Plant.

The Tesla Virtual Power Plant along with the Tesla Energy Plan is purpose built for Powerwall and is delivered to you by our retail energy partner, Energy Locals.

Learn more about the benefits of the Tesla Energy Plan and the Tesla Virtual Power Plant.

Value

Tesla’s world leading technology will forecast your energy needs and typically charge your Powerwall using the most cost-efficient energy source. This mode of operation is known as Time Based Control, which all Powerwall’s connected to the Tesla Energy Plan operate.

By joining the Tesla Energy Plan, you can access a range of benefits including, Grid Support Credits, flexible Time of Use rates and Feed in Tariffs. You can learn more on the benefits you receive from the Tesla Energy Plan here.

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How Your System Will Work

Your Powerwall creates value by helping to shift your home’s grid energy usage from peak to lower priced periods. This is called load shifting (Time-Based Control) which helps to minimise your bill and reduces the cost to power your usage.

Find detailed explainers on how your solar and Powerwall will operate while connected to the Tesla Energy Plan.

Frequency Support

When connected to the Tesla Energy Plan, Powerwall is configured to engage in frequency support. You can learn more about the Tesla Energy Plan, Powerwall and Frequency Support here.

Energy Arbitrage

At times, Tesla may charge your Powerwall from and discharge to the grid for energy arbitrage. Energy arbitrage uses Powerwall to store energy when wholesale prices are low and to sell that low-cost energy back to the grid when energy prices are higher – sharing this value with customers through Grid Support Credits, competitive Time of Use rates and many other features and benefits included within the Tesla Energy Plan.

You can read in more detail how Energy Arbitrage works as part of the Tesla Virtual Power Plant.

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What You May See When There Is Sun

 
Solar powering the home, Powerwall and the grid Solar powering the home and exporting to the grid
Solar generates energy, covering your home’s usage, charging Powerwall and exporting to the grid.

You receiving a Feed in Tariff for any solar exports.		 Solar generates energy to power your home. Powerwall is not charging as it may be full or predicting to charge later in the day.

Excess energy is sent to the grid and you receive a Feed in Tariff.
Solar Value Energy Value
 
Solar and Powerwall powering the home Solar and grid powering the home
Solar is unable to cover your home’s energy use. Powerwall provides the additional energy. Solar is unable to cover the home’s energy use. The grid provides additional energy, while Powerwall is either empty or predicting to discharge later in the day. You will be charged with Time of Use rates for any energy from the grid.
Solar Value Energy Value
 
Solar powering the home while charging Powerwall Solar powering the home with excess solar and Powerwall exports to the grid
Solar is powering your homes usage. Excess solar generation is stored in Powerwall. Solar is powering your home. Any excess is exported to the grid from solar and Powerwall, taking advantage of high energy prices.

You receive Grid Support Credits and a competitive Feed in Tariff.
Solar Value Energy Value
 
Solar powering your home and charging your Powerwall. While Powerwall is charging from the grid.
Solar covers your home’s energy usage and charges Powerwall. Powerwall charges from the grid to take advantage of low-cost energy.

This stored energy may help to offset your predicted needs during peak periods.
Solar Value

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What You May See When There Is No Sun

 
No solar is being generated, Powerwall is covering your home’s usage Grid powering the home
There is no solar generated. Your home’s usage is being covered by stored energy from Powerwall. Your home is powered by the grid with competitive Time of Use rates. Powerwall is either empty or predicting to discharge later in the day.
Solar Value Energy Value
 
Energy from the grid powers your home and Powerwall. Powerwall prioritises charging from the grid with low-cost energy. Powerwall discharging to the grid while powering the home
No solar is generated, your home’s usage is covered by the grid with competitive Time of Use rates. Powerwall is charging from the grid, helping to take advantage of low-cost energy to offset your predicted needs during peak periods. Powerwall is covering your homes usage while also supporting the grid. You receive a Feed in Tariff for exports from Powerwall as well as Grid Support Credits.
Solar Value Energy Value

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Understanding Energy Flows

Time-Based Control: Summer PV Production

During Summer and periods of high solar production, Powerwall will typically charge from your solar to offset your home’s peak usage as a priority, and at times your off-peak usage.

Solar Only

The following graphs show typical grid usage in summer without a Powerwall. Any illustrations that are shown as negative values are read as exports and positive values are read as imports.

Net grid use
Solar is consumed by the home and any excess solar is sent to the grid.
Solar Value Energy Value

Solar with Powerwall

 
Net grid use Powerwall discharge
Powerwall charged from high solar production, reducing your need to draw from the grid during evening peak periods. Energy charged from solar is used to offset energy usage during peak periods as a priority. Any energy remaining in Powerwall may be used to offset some or all of your off-peak usage.
Solar Value Energy Value

Time-Based Control: Winter PV Production

During Winter and periods of low solar production, Powerwall may need to charge more often from the grid to offset your home usage during peak periods.

Powerwall will typically take advantage of low off-peak energy so you can offset your home’s peak usage to help reduce your exposure to peak pricing. This gives you a level of flexibility that traditional energy plans may not allow.

Solar Only
 
Net grid use
Solar production is consumed by the home and any excess solar is sent to the grid.
Solar Value Energy Value
Solar Production with Powerwall
 
Net grid use Powerwall discharge
Powerwall charges from the grid and solar ahead of peak periods to offset forecasted home usage during peak periods. Low solar production, so Powerwall accesses low-cost energy from the grid to offset anticipated consumption during peak periods.
Solar Value Energy Value

For more information on the Tesla Energy Plan visit Tesla.com/en_au/TEP or visit the Frequently Asked Questions.

For further assistance or technical questions contact our Powerwall Support Team on 1800 646 952 (24/7).

To download the Tesla app, visit the Google Play store or the App Store on your device.

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