Anyone Decide Not to Install PowerShare?

[Crissa]

Tesla says I don't qualify because I already have solar an multiple Powerwalls installed
But I'm getting two $700 Shop credits to splurge with?...Just can't combine them, hmm...?

I thought that meant you already had the hardware?

-Crissa

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[RayzorBEV]

Hardware for my Powerwalls to backup my home but there is nothing to allow me to use my Cyberbeast as a power source. I do have the Tesla universal connector but it lacks the software to reverse the power flow. Tesla claims it's coming as an OTA, soon?

 

[GatorCyber]

Why would you not just get a couple of Tesla powerwalls if the goal is backup? My power company installed them (as long as I allow them to tap into them) I pay $50/mo. for 2 powerwalls. Seamless don't even know the power went out....they are awesome. Just seems like a cheaper, "makes more sense" option....
Granted the $50/mo option was one of the governement deals, not sure they are around. This is in Vermont...

We all aren't as lucky to have a utility like yours that hands out powerwalls

 

[Cybergirl]

Why would you not just get a couple of Tesla powerwalls if the goal is backup? My power company installed them (as long as I allow them to tap into them) I pay $50/mo. for 2 powerwalls. Seamless don't even know the power went out....they are awesome. Just seems like a cheaper, "makes more sense" option....
Granted the $50/mo option was one of the governement deals, not sure they are around. This is in Vermont...

The reason I'm not interested in installing a Tesla Powerwall system is that I already have a battery backup system installed in conjunction with a 6.8 kW rooftop solar system. On grid failure, it automatically and seamlessly powers critical house loads drawing on the 9.6 kWh battery. I don't need a Powerwall system for short grid outages.

However, 9.6 kWh is barely enough energy to survive an overnight grid outage until the solar system can recharge the battery. Installing Tesla's Gateway + UWC will allow me to survive a long grid outage (I live in tornado country) by utilizing the energy in my Cybertruck's battery all at a much lower cost than installing a couple of Powerwall batteries.

I got a quote from an electrician today to install the PowerShare Gateway and UWC in the amount of $3165. It's a relatively easy whole house backup installation with everything installed on the exterior of the house. I'm debating whether to proceed with the installation or not. There reasons for and against it in my situation. Apparently, if your house qualifies for PowerShare installation but you decide not to go ahead with it, there's no compensation from Tesla (for example, free Supercharging). Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone qualified for PowerShare installation, received a quote, and decided not to install? Did you get anything from Tesla as a substitute for PowerShare?

After plenty of thought, I've decided not to have Powershare installed. The reasons:
1) I already have a small (9.6 kWh) battery backup system as a part of my rooftop solar system (by SMA). It provides a seamless switch over to battery backup power for lighting and other important circuits to cover relatively short (overnight) grid outages. Powershare is not seamless, and only works when the CT is available and plugged in.
2) To the best of my knowledge, Powershare is not bi-directional during a grid outage. By that I mean that it will not charge the CT battery with excess solar output during the day if the grid is down. In a prolonged grid outage situation, the SOC of the CT battery will eventually fall to 20% resulting in a full power blackout until the CT can be recharged at a Supercharger or other source of power.
3) The money spent to have Powershare installed is substantial and better spent increasing the size of my existing battery bank.

I realize now that Powershare doesn't turn my Cybertruck into the equivalent of a Powerwall system when connected to the UWC/Gateway. It provides an emergency short term backup energy source during a blackout for a home without a Powerwall or other energy storage system.

My interest in Powershare was mainly to provide insurance against a disaster situation (e.g., tornado) that takes out the grid for weeks or months. It does not satisfy that need very well.

I've come up with a manual procedure that takes advantage of the large storage capacity of the CT's battery in conjunction with my rooftop solar system that I believe can provide household power indefinitely if it ever came to that.

 

[CyberVeteran]

I might have considered the backup if my quote was ~3K; but the $12k quote I got is over the top and not worth it (for me).

 

[Cybergirl]

That's a great question, to which I do not believe has been addressed anywhere that I have seen.

Here is what the Powershare Design Review Team said in response to my question to my assigned installer:

So, Powershare will backup your house during a grid outage as long as CT's battery charge is more than 20%. Excess solar power cannot be used to replenish CT's battery while the grid is down. Of course, when grid power is restored, one can recharge the Cybertruck using the UWC or mobile connector as usual.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

My PS quote was $4500, for our “non standard” installation. They had me take a bunch of pics of things and I explained my setup. Despite their designation of a non-standard setup they never came to look at it in person. When they came to do the work they decided it was even more non-standard and refused to do the work. I had already paid 10%. I suspect that their intention was to get me to pony up a lot more money. They claimed that my generator installation violated county building codes, but my electrician is a stickler for doing things right and we passed inspection. Now I am in the middle of two electrical contractors and no power sharing. VERY frustrating. I would prefer that Tesla let my electrician install the power sharing because ‘their’ contractor seems like they are pulling a bait and switch.

 

[Coagulation]

Does anyone know… if you elect to get power share and then decline because the electrician is too expensive, do you still get the $700 credit?

 

[Cybergirl]

Does anyone know… if you elect to get power share and then decline because the electrician is too expensive, do you still get the $700 credit?

My understanding is that the electrician that Tesla assigned to your Powershare job has to notify Tesla that you rejected the install, then in a couple of weeks you will receive the voucher.

 

[Coagulation]

My understanding is that the electrician that Tesla assigned to your Powershare job has to notify Tesla that you rejected the install, then in a couple of weeks you will receive the voucher.

Thank you. So really no risk to get the quote other than time wasted. I am getting quotes of around $1,500 just for a charger hookup (first Tesla)… so if the difference isn’t that bad I may just do the PowerShare.

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