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Tesla Powerwall 3: How to Order the Latest Home Battery

The latest incarnation of the industry-leading home battery packs even more power. It's now available to order.

A white Powerwall 3 battery next to white cabinets in a garage with an open door.

Powerwall 3 is available in the US now.

Tesla

The biggest name in home batteries is the Tesla Powerwall, and after years of anticipation, you can finally order the newest model: the Tesla Powerwall 3.

The Powerwall 3 is now available in the continental US. (It's coming to Puerto Rico and Hawaii later this year.) 

We first got a look at the Powerwall 3 at last year's RE+ trade show, although Tesla didn't offer a ton of details then. This is a big development for the home battery space: Powerwalls accounted for half of home battery installations last year. We rated the Tesla Powerwall 2 highly on our solar batteries list, citing its well-rounded attributes. So how does the latest edition measure up?


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Tesla Powerwall 2 vs. Tesla Powerwall 3

Tesla says the Powerwall 3 is "designed to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy." While both designs aim to provide a simple installation process and solar panel system compatibility, the Tesla Powerwall 3 design packs more of a punch. Powerwall 3 is able to start up larger appliances than its predecessor, so you might not need as many batteries to backup your home. Its increased power capacity and whole-home battery storage can better support grid reliability during periods of high demand, such as high summer temperatures. 

In contrast, the Powerwall 2 is best for partial backup or light commercial use. If you wanted to cover your entire home's energy usage with the Powerwall 2 model, you'd likely need to purchase more than one unit. 

Both systems effectively support renewable energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions when paired with solar panels. In some states, like California, your utility rate might encourage battery adoption. If you don't have rooftop solar, you can still use battery backup to power your home during an outage and reduce energy bills

What's the Tesla Powerwall 3 price?

If you order directly through Tesla's website, you can expect to pay at least $8,400 for one unit before additional taxes and installation fees. The cost of taxes depends on your location, and installation fees vary by installer. 

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Tesla used to provide a breakdown of cost including estimated taxes and installation costs. Now you get only the cost of the battery before providing more personal information. Waiting for a company to contact you with a price isn't ideal (though common in the industry), so hopefully this feature will change. I went through those steps and, within a minute, received an email notification that a Tesla Certified Installer will reach out with price information and how to complete my Powerwall order. Contact from an installer isn't instant.

You can save money on a Tesla Powerwall 3 by applying the 30% federal solar tax credit. This one incentive reduces the total of one unit to $5,880. There may be additional rebates or incentives in your state to further offset the cost. 

If you buy more than one Powerwall, Tesla offers a discount. You can connect up to four total units.

Tesla Powerwall 3 price

Number of units PricePrice after federal tax credit
1 $8,400$5,880
2 $15,700$10,990
3 $23,000$16,100
4 $30,300$21,210

Things to consider

While Tesla is a top solar battery company, consider the following before buying the Tesla Powerwall 3.

  • Compatibility: The Tesla Powerwall 3 isn't compatible with the Powerwall 2. If you already have previous Powerwall models and want to add capacity, you must install a Powerwall 2. 
  • Location: If you live in California and are under NEM 2.0, adding the Tesla Powerwall 3 to your current solar system is considered changing the design and you will need to enroll in NEM 3.0

Tesla Powerwall 3 battery specs

Energy capacity 13.5 kWh
Max continuous discharge power 11.5 kW
Max continuous charge power 5 kW
Load start capability 185 amps
Scalability Up to four units
Warranty 10 years

Solar battery shopping tips

Solar batteries are expensive but can provide value beyond just power outages. Here's a list of resources to help you shop for a solar battery:

Article updated on March 8, 2024 at 8:12 AM PST

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Written by 
Faith Foushee
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid. Reviews ethics statement
Faith Foushee CNET Contributor
Faith Foushee is a CNET contributor and a writer for our sister publication SaveOnEnergy.com, covering energy-efficient products, renewables and other energy topics. She enjoys learning about new energy technology and helping others save money. Faith graduated from High Point University with a bachelor's degree in strategic communication.
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