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Tesla Powerwall 3 Launches in the UK: Insights from a Premium Tesla Partner

Date added: Thu 20 Jun 2024

As a Premium Partner of Tesla, and experienced installer, we at The Natural Energy Company are excited to bring you the latest in home energy storage technology: the Tesla Powerwall 3. This revolutionary product builds on the solid foundation laid by the Powerwall 2, offering significant advancements that promise to enhance the energy independence and sustainability of UK households. In this post, we'll delve into the key differences between the Powerwall 2 and the Powerwall 3, and why the new model represents a leap forward in home energy solutions.

 

Key Differences Between Powerwall 2 and Powerwall 3

 

1. Increased Capacity and Efficiency

  • Powerwall 2: The Powerwall 2 offers a usable capacity of 13.5 kWh and a round-trip efficiency of around 90%, making it a reliable choice for storing solar energy or backup power.
  • Powerwall 3: The new Powerwall 3 maintains the 13.5kWh storage capacity but offers an improved efficiency of 92%. Powerwall 3 is available as DC coupled, AC coupled or both, from one Powerwall 3. If you have feed in tariff utilising a AC coupled standalone inverter, and want more solar, you can keep this AC coupled inverter in place which protects your feed in tariff contract, and install further DC coupled solar. It also allows for using a traditional AC coupled inverter such as SolarEdge which has highly flexible installation options across numerous roof pitches. Ultimately however DC coupled solar running directly from Powerwall 3 will be the most efficient. It has one inversion which improves efficiency and stretches your stored energy that little bit further. Efficiency is the number one factor in energy storage. Designing your system right for you is exactly what The Natural Energy Company is here to do.

 

2. Enhanced Power Output

  • Powerwall 2: With a continuous power output of 5 kW and a peak output of 7 kW, the Powerwall 2 is designed to handle typical household energy needs.
  • Powerwall 3: The Powerwall 3 increases these figures to a continuous power output of up to 11.04 kW with correct grid permissions in place. This higher output can support more demanding appliances and ensure seamless power delivery even during peak usage times. What’s more is the starting current has increased up to 180A which allows for much higher starting current devices, such as immersion heaters, induction hobs, and car chargers, to all benefit from battery energy, with reduced reliance from the grid. 

 

3. Optimised Design and Installation

  • Powerwall 2: Known for its sleek, compact design, the Powerwall 2 can be installed indoors or outdoors, mounted on a wall for space-saving convenience.
  • Powerwall 3: The Powerwall 3 retains the elegant design but features a more modular approach, simplifying installation and scalability. This means easier expansion of your energy storage system as your energy needs grow. Powerwall 2 & 3 both benefit from a market leading thermal management system. Powerwall 3 can operate as low as -20C, and as high as 50C ambient temperatures. This increases installation flexibility around the world dramatically. 

 

 

 

4. Advanced Smart Technology

  • Powerwall 2: Compatible with all AC coupled solar inverters, the Powerwall 2 offers robust monitoring and control via the Tesla app.
  • Powerwall 3: Building on this, the Powerwall 3 integrates a solar inverter which provides enhanced software integration and more precise energy management. It works seamlessly with Tesla solar products and electric vehicles, offering a cohesive and intuitive energy ecosystem managed through the upgraded Tesla app.

 

 

5. Improved Backup Power Capabilities

  • Powerwall 2: Provides reliable backup power during outages, ensuring essential appliances and systems remain operational.
  • Powerwall 3: The new model features faster switchover times and enhanced reliability, ensuring your home remains powered without interruption during grid outages.

 

6. Heat Mode

  • Powerwall 2: Powerwall 2 had a liquid cooling system which was expensive to implement into the product and didn’t even come on that often. 

  • Powerwall 3: A new air cooled system has been installed and each of the cells are now in direct contact with the heat sink. This improves cell temperature cooling, or heating, when required. Furthermore, it’s designed to be installed outside your home for optimum safety. It’s designed to operate at temperatures from -20C, up to 50C. In addition to this, Powerwall 3 now has Heat Mode, an operation designed to pre-condition your battery. Much like Tesla vehicles, Powerwall 3 can pre-condition, or get the battery cells ready for use. It does this by learning when you need energy on a daily basis, and ensuring the cells are held at the right temperature to ensure it can discharge efficiently.

 

7. LifePO4 Battery Cells

  • Powerwall 2: Lithium ion battery cells which are less efficient, have a higher fire risk, poorer charge cycle amount, are slower to charge, and have a longer shelf life.

  • Powerwall 3: Powerwall 3 utilises LifePO4 battery cells which offer improvements on everything that lithium ion suffered from. What’s more is that lithium ion contains cobalt which is well known for being associated with high carbon emissions to mine. LifePO4 batteries are the future in Powerwall 3. 

 

Why Choose Powerwall 3?

 

As an installer, we've seen first-hand how the Powerwall 2 has transformed energy use in homes. The Powerwall 3 takes these benefits to the next level, offering:

 

- Greater Power Output: Powerwall 3 offers up to 11.04kW per Powerwall of output. If correct grid permissions were in place, you could have up to 17kW of power output on a single phase. This is the most a general domestic home will ever need, and on rare occasions. A typical modern home will have a 7kW electric vehicle charger, induction hob, and a heat pump. It’s highly unlikely they will all be running together but if they were, Powerwall 3 could output enough energy to run all these appliances with no reliance from the grid.

- Improved Efficiency: With DC coupled storage you can maximise the efficiency of the energy  generated from solar, or off peak charged energy. This stretches the amount of kWh you will get per kWh stored. 

- Installation Flexibility: Powerwall 3 allows you to connect up DC coupled solar, AC coupled solar, or both at one time. This means you can have multiple solar arrays across multiple locations, all charging Powerwall. 

- Seamless Integration: Create a unified, intelligent energy system that’s easy to manage.

- Improved Safety: With new LifePO4 batteries, flood protection up to 2 feet, and improved installation parameters, a battery has never been safer. Powerwall 3 is designed to be outside which makes the installation that little bit safer. With home insurance now requiring you to disclose that you have battery storage, it’s essential that it’s installed external of the home. 

- Future-Proof Design: Expand your system effortlessly as your energy needs change. This can be done with either another Powerwall 3, or DC expansion kits which will be released later in the year.

 

Our Commitment to Quality Installation

 

As a Premium Partner for Powerwall, we are committed to providing unmatched installation services for the Powerwall 3. Our team of certified experts ensures that your Powerwall 3 is installed safely, efficiently, and in a manner that maximises its performance. We conduct thorough assessments of your energy needs and tailor the installation to fit your specific requirements, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.

 

Join the Energy Revolution with Tesla Powerwall 3

 

The launch of the Tesla Powerwall 3 in the UK marks a new era in home energy storage. Whether you're looking to increase your energy independence, reduce your carbon footprint, or simply save on energy costs, the Powerwall 3 is the perfect solution. Visit our showroom or contact us today on 01382 543375 to learn more about how the Powerwall 3 can transform your home’s energy system.

 

At The Natural Energy Company, we’re here to help you embrace the future of sustainable energy. Let’s take this exciting step towards a greener, more energy-independent world together.

 

Contact us now to schedule your consultation and be among the first to experience the power of Tesla Powerwall 3!