Combining Systems with Powerwall

Integrating Powerwall and solar is the best way to maximize your system’s value, allowing you to use solar power day and night. Powerwall 3 and Powerwall+ have an integrated solar inverter allowing solar to be connected directly for high efficiency. Powerwall 2 is designed to be added on to an existing solar system and is compatible with all major inverter brands.

Powerwall & the Grid

When Powerwall is installed without solar, it charges from the grid to power your home during grid outages, to save you money on your electricity bill using Time-Based Control mode and to support the Tesla Virtual Power Plant.

When Powerwall is installed with solar, recent installs can charge from the grid if allowed by your installer during commissioning and by the customer in their Tesla app.

Powerwall & Generators

Powerwall can be added to a system with a backup generator connected with an external Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) or a Manual Transfer Switch (MTS).

The Powerwall system is installed between the utility meter and the generator transfer switch and can charge from solar while the grid is operational and when the grid is down during an outage. However, Powerwall and the generator are not directly integrated which means Powerwall does not charge from the generator.

In an outage, Powerwall responds immediately and provides backup power before the generator can detect the outage. The generator is turned on only when the Powerwall has a low charge, or if loads exceed Powerwall's maximum output.

When grid power returns, the generator will turn off, both the ATS and Powerwall system will reconnect to the grid and Powerwall will resume normal operation. If Powerwall is installed with an MTS, manual operation of the switch is required to power the home loads with the generator, and to connect the home loads back to the Powerwall system or the grid.

Powerwall & Electric Vehicle Charging

Powerwall can provide stored solar energy to your electric vehicle through your home electrical panel.

Powerwall & Other Systems

Powerwall does not currently work with existing battery systems or other renewable energy sources, such as wind or hydro. Powerwall 3 cannot be added to a Powerwall 2 or Powerwall+ system. Learn more about what you can expect from Powerwall 3.