Powershare Delayed Until Mid-2026

[PungoteagueDave]

That's great if your utility is allowing you to make your money back but that's going to change at some point. We're starting at $24 a month to be connected to the grid and I don't think that's going to stay there, that's just going to keep rising. You're at $10 a month and it looks like they're actually paying you for the power you produce but they can change that whenever they feel like.

My understanding now, is that if you're making enough solar in the winter to cover your usage you have way too much solar for the summer. Again, that's great if your utility gives you a fair rate for it but as more folks get solar more utilities are getting rid of that in any way they can.

I maxed out my roof and it ended up being just about right. There's certain winter cloudy days where I do not make them enough to cover what the house is using and make it through the night on the battery but it's close. Even if I had more room on the roof for more panels, that would be wasted because my utility is only giving us 2 to 8 cents a kilowatt hour.

Utility willingness to purchase power on a net metered basis cannot change because it is legislatively mandated using logic that has zero cost to the utility. The utilities must purchase my excess production at their “avoidable cost”, which is essentially what they pay to grid providers for raw power at wholesale prices. I do not receive anywhere near the retail price that consumers pay, generally something like $0.045 per kWh in Florida and Maryland, which are both low-cost states for electricity. But that adds up anyway.

Don’t misunderstand power cycles. We use more power in the summer due to air conditioning, which costs more than heating both our Florida and Maryland homes.

Utilities are not looking to eliminate power purchase agreements with consumers - they do sometimes want to limit phase-in of some industrial-scale solar projects in order to phase them into their systems. Renewables just went over 30% of total U.S. power production, and virtually all new capacity is coming from renewable sources. Utilities are looking to bidirectional charging and Powerwall as grid backup - they needs us as much as we need them.

You say you maxed out the roof. How big is your system? My 21 kWh system is the max for one Powerwall. I could double that with a second Powerwall and more panels, but the utility would never approve that. I gamed the system a bit, convincing them I was adding a pool and spa, so they approved sizing that’s over double my actual power usage.

Sponsored

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I have no gateway, the Powerwall 3 is currently doing everything and I was told, will do PowerShare with no gateway. So not sure why they gave you another gateway. They would not give you the Tesla backup switch? It's a lot cheaper and cleaner than a gateway.

You must have a Gateway if you have Powerwall, solar panels, and intend to use bidirectional power backup from the truck. I went back and forth with Tesla engineering during installation last summer because their online materials were misleading, implying that all you need for that is Powerwall 3. Apparently not true. They ended up buying back my Gateway 3V that was sold as a CT option, and provided a Gateway 3 that they insisted, confirmed by the installing contractor, that this is the only way to have grid-connected solar, Powerwall, and CT battery backup is with a Gateway. This from Tesla:

Yes, a Powershare Gateway (specifically Gateway 3) is required to integrate Tesla solar, Powerwall 3, and Cybertruck bidirectional charging (Powershare) for whole-home backup. The gateway manages the complex energy flow between the grid, solar, Powerwall, and the truck, acting as the central controller for backup power.

• Key Requirement: While Powerwall 3 can operate without a gateway, enabling Powershare Home Backup (using the truck as backup) requires the specialized Powershare Gateway and a Universal Wall Connector.

• I have no gateway, the Powerwall 3 is currently doing everything and I was told, will do PowerShare with no gateway. So not sure why they gave you another gateway. They would not give you the Tesla backup switch? It's a lot cheaper and cleaner than a gateway.

 

[Tanquen]

You must have a Gateway if you have Powerwall, solar panels, and intend to use bidirectional power backup from the truck. I went back and forth with Tesla engineering during installation last summer because their online materials were misleading, implying that all you need for that is Powerwall 3. Apparently not true. They ended up buying back my Gateway 3V that was sold as a CT option, and provided a Gateway 3 that they insisted, confirmed by the installing contractor, that this is the only way to have grid-connected solar, Powerwall, and CT battery backup is with a Gateway. This from Tesla:

Yes, a Powershare Gateway (specifically Gateway 3) is required to integrate Tesla solar, Powerwall 3, and Cybertruck bidirectional charging (Powershare) for whole-home backup. The gateway manages the complex energy flow between the grid, solar, Powerwall, and the truck, acting as the central controller for backup power.

• Key Requirement: While Powerwall 3 can operate without a gateway, enabling Powershare Home Backup (using the truck as backup) requires the specialized Powershare Gateway and a Universal Wall Connector.

I have seen this info before and I also went back and forth with Tesla a number of times and was told this is not correct. That the Powerwall 3 with the Tesla backup switch will be able to use PowerShare and will not require the Universal EV connector. The Universal EV connector is only required for the Gateway version of PowerShare.

Having spent the few years trying to get this all set up through Tesla (and having been misinformed by them numerous times to make the project easier for themselves) it would not surprise me either way.

Their idea had been to make things simpler and cheaper for themselves and to make their products more attractive. This involves removing the gateway and replacing that with the utility approved Tesla gate backup switch that works with the Powerwall and removing the need for Universal EV connector and allowing it to work with their regular EV connectors. But it wouldn't surprise me at all for them to turn around and say you now need a gateway version 4 if you want to use PowerShare and connect to grid etc.

 

[Tanquen]

Utility willingness to purchase power on a net metered basis cannot change because it is legislatively mandated using logic that has zero cost to the utility.

That's why they're adding fees just to be connected and adjusting what they report as distribution costs versus cost to provide the actual power that they're giving you credit for. It's not enough that they only give you some ridiculous amount like "$0.045 per kWh" For the power that you do produce.

 

[Marcotravels6]

Damn, I hope I can convince them to buy back my Gateway 3V!!

You must have a Gateway if you have Powerwall, solar panels, and intend to use bidirectional power backup from the truck. I went back and forth with Tesla engineering during installation last summer because their online materials were misleading, implying that all you need for that is Powerwall 3. Apparently not true. They ended up buying back my Gateway 3V that was sold as a CT option, and provided a Gateway 3 that they insisted, confirmed by the installing contractor, that this is the only way to have grid-connected solar, Powerwall, and CT battery backup is with a Gateway. This from Tesla:

Yes, a Powershare Gateway (specifically Gateway 3) is required to integrate Tesla solar, Powerwall 3, and Cybertruck bidirectional charging (Powershare) for whole-home backup. The gateway manages the complex energy flow between the grid, solar, Powerwall, and the truck, acting as the central controller for backup power.

• Key Requirement: While Powerwall 3 can operate without a gateway, enabling Powershare Home Backup (using the truck as backup) requires the specialized Powershare Gateway and a Universal Wall Connector.

 

[chaosmarine92]

You must have a Gateway if you have Powerwall, solar panels, and intend to use bidirectional power backup from the truck. I went back and forth with Tesla engineering during installation last summer because their online materials were misleading, implying that all you need for that is Powerwall 3. Apparently not true. They ended up buying back my Gateway 3V that was sold as a CT option, and provided a Gateway 3 that they insisted, confirmed by the installing contractor, that this is the only way to have grid-connected solar, Powerwall, and CT battery backup is with a Gateway. This from Tesla:

Yes, a Powershare Gateway (specifically Gateway 3) is required to integrate Tesla solar, Powerwall 3, and Cybertruck bidirectional charging (Powershare) for whole-home backup. The gateway manages the complex energy flow between the grid, solar, Powerwall, and the truck, acting as the central controller for backup power.

• Key Requirement: While Powerwall 3 can operate without a gateway, enabling Powershare Home Backup (using the truck as backup) requires the specialized Powershare Gateway and a Universal Wall Connector.

How did you even get a hold of someone? When I had my system installed I got the gateway 3v, then later decided to get solar +powerwall and had to get the v3 instead. I couldn't get a person to answer the phone when I went through their phone tree. So I've had my 3v sitting in it's box on the floor of the garage for two years now.

 

[Tanquen]

How did you even get a hold of someone? When I had my system installed I got the gateway 3v, then later decided to get solar +powerwall and had to get the v3 instead. I couldn't get a person to answer the phone when I went through their phone tree. So I've had my 3v sitting in it's box on the floor of the garage for two years now.

It's insanely difficult, if you don't have an active project with them it's next to impossible. At one point I started a new project and set up a meeting with one of their sales people and talked to them. The automated appointment scheduling stuff, overall I think it does make things more efficient but the fact that you can't call anybody that knows anything is problematic.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

Damn, I hope I can convince them to buy back my Gateway 3V!!

Highly doubtful. The only reason they did so was because I could prove that I had communicated via email with the sales rep the fact that I intended to intended to use that gateway in a powershare, Powerwall, dual-charger and solar panel home, so the gateway confusion was entirely on them. My installer also had an inside track to Tesla installation engineering support, and was being delayed by this, so got the replacement expedited. In other words, there was still money at stake for everyone and Tesla simply had to fix it for the installation to proceed at all.

The same thing occurred during the installation when the initial PowerWall 3 failed. I personally beleive the installer screwed up and shorted it (there was evidence), but Tesla warrantied the box and shipped a replacement, which took over a month and a couple reminders. At some point in a process like this, you come across a person at Tesla who provides a direct email and phone number, in confidence. I have that now, can’t share. I also have contacts at the near-highest executive level, but wouldn’t abuse that for a personal customer support issue.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

That's why they're adding fees just to be connected and adjusting what they report as distribution costs versus cost to provide the actual power that they're giving you credit for. It's not enough that they only give you some ridiculous amount like "$0.045 per kWh" For the power that you do produce.

Sorry, but this is paranoid. Utilities are publicly regulated due to thier monopoly status. They cannot adjust fees without hearings and approvals by independent regulators. Anything that’s part of your existing deal is grandfathered. My net metering power purchase agreements in three different states and utilities do not have an end date. They have parameters and pricing built-in (based on avoidable cost in all three locations). There are no added fees “just to be connected” that aren’t paid by everybody else. You cannot be blindsided and they cannot change the deal without regulatory approval, and in most cases, law changes would be required, but even there, your contract is your contract. If you eventually find it untenable, go off-grid. I can do that with a slight system modification and pulling the meter out.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

That's why they're adding fees just to be connected and adjusting what they report as distribution costs versus cost to provide the actual power that they're giving you credit for. It's not enough that they only give you some ridiculous amount like "$0.045 per kWh" For the power that you do produce.

The use of net metering makes it only FAIR that excess production is sold to the utility for THEIR wholesale cost. I’m amazed that there are any remaining locales in the US where panel owners get a premium over wholesale, apparently some up to the full retail kwh price. We do effectively earn the retail price for our power when we consume electricity off our own panels (or PowerWalls), by avoiding paying retail to the utility for that power. However, when we also produce enough for sale externally to the grid, we are then in the power-production business and deserve to be paid nothing more than any other external power producer receives from our utility when they buy power for resale to us. That’s the cold hard reality of life. To do anything else would truly incentivize utilities to avoid participating with any small solar panel system connections. As it is, many utilities have to be legislatively dragged kicking and screaming into this process because it adds cost and complexity to their business models. There’s no reason to be either greedy or unreasonable about what our solar investments represent.

 

[Tanquen]

Sorry, but this is paranoid. Utilities are publicly regulated due to thier monopoly status. They cannot adjust fees without hearings and approvals by independent regulators. Anything that’s part of your existing deal is grandfathered. My net metering power purchase agreements in three different states and utilities do not have an end date. They have parameters and pricing built-in (based on avoidable cost in all three locations). There are no added fees “just to be connected” that aren’t paid by everybody else. You cannot be blindsided and they cannot change the deal without regulatory approval, and in most cases, law changes would be required, but even there, your contract is your contract. If you eventually find it untenable, go off-grid. I can do that with a slight system modification and pulling the meter out.

That's incorrect on most counts as I've already seen they changed and added the fee this year after people had already put in systems. Those fees are not going to stay where they are. Many of the people that worked for the utilities are on those boards or work for the utility after being on those boards and pass most any fee increase or rate increase or adjustments they want.

The extra solar and batteries that you would need to go off grid year-round is unrealistic and most cities or towns are not going to allow you to disconnect completely from gas and electric utilities. You're going to be forced to pay a fee of some kind. Similar to the way they do in some cities with water and garbage service etc.

 

[Tanquen]

The use of net metering makes it only FAIR that excess production is sold to the utility for THEIR wholesale cost. I’m amazed that there are any remaining locales in the US where panel owners get a premium over wholesale, apparently some up to the full retail kwh price. We do effectively earn the retail price for our power when we consume electricity off our own panels (or PowerWalls), by avoiding paying retail to the utility for that power. However, when we also produce enough for sale externally to the grid, we are then in the power-production business and deserve to be paid nothing more than any other external power producer receives from our utility when they buy power for resale to us. That’s the cold hard reality of life. To do anything else would truly incentivize utilities to avoid participating with any small solar panel system connections. As it is, many utilities have to be legislatively dragged kicking and screaming into this process because it adds cost and complexity to their business models. There’s no reason to be either greedy or unreasonable about what our solar investments represent.

Unless you have so many panels more than you need to not be able to buy from them during the winter, you're going to have a ton of electricity you don't need in the summer. Maybe if that was the only issue but then increasing the percents for distribution so that what you produce is worth even less and then them paying you next to nothing, their wholesale costs. What they tell you is worthless and at a wholesale cost they turn around and sell for 10 20 or 30 times more. And again, they're adding fees that you can't avoid and they're going to keep raising those fees. And they've added these fees in some cases like mine after you've already put your system in. So now they're taking almost an extra $300 from me. No matter what. That number is not going to go down. They're getting everything they want at every turn. It's ridiculous.

 

[HaulingAss]

As it is, many utilities have to be legislatively dragged kicking and screaming into this process because it adds cost and complexity to their business models.

It gets complicated but, in a nutshell, the profit a utility makes is a percentage of how much it costs them to provide the electrical service. Costs added to their business models increases the amount they can bill per kWh and their total profits.


There are clear instances where net metering was not mandated by a legislature but arose through regulator-utility cooperation (or voluntary utility action). Many early programs and some ongoing ones fit this description:

Arizona (1981): The Arizona Corporation Commission (regulator) approved net metering for systems <100 kW without a prior legislative mandate; it was a regulatory policy decision.

Idaho (1980 onward): No statewide legislative mandate exists even today. Individual investor-owned utilities (e.g., Idaho Power, Avista, Rocky Mountain Power) have long offered net metering via their own tariffs, which are reviewed and approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. These are essentially cooperative/voluntary utility programs.

Texas: Similarly has no statewide legislative requirement; net metering is offered voluntarily by some competitive retail electric providers and utilities under PUC oversight.

Many rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities (in various states) have offered net metering voluntarily or via their own governing boards, often with PUC or local regulator approval but without a specific state statute commanding it. State laws frequently exempt co-ops and munis or leave them to decide.

In short, while some states later passed explicit statutes requiring net metering, the policy’s roots and many implementations were (and in some places still are) the product of direct regulator-utility (and stakeholder) collaboration rather than top-down legislative mandates.

The utility I'm most familiar with is my own, Puget Sound Energy (PSE). The original net metering program was legislated (with the program details hammered out between the utility, regulators and ratepayers). It was legislated to be first come, first served, until net metering equaled 4% of total electrical demand. In mid-2024, PSE reached/exceeded the 4% of 1996 peak demand threshold, but the utility petitioned the UTC to continue offering the existing 1:1 retail-rate net metering to new applicants until December 31, 2025 (or until a replacement schedule is approved). I had my system approved for 1:1 net metering this month (since the utility still hasn't even submitted a replacement schedule to the UTC yet). Existing customers grandfathered under the old terms remain protected barring major solar system changes.

It's operated successfully for over 25 years, with PSE voluntarily seeking (and receiving) extensions beyond statutory minimums to support continued customer solar adoption. The utility is going to make their money based upon how much they spend (and are allowed to spend), not on how much electricity they deliver. Net metering is bad for utility ratepayers (customers) who don't have solar, not the utilities themselves. This inherent unfairness is why PSE is developing new rules for solar and batteries (to prevent non-net metering customers from bearing the costs of the net metering customers). I suspect the new rules will be designed to better support the needs of the grid infrastructure and cost structure while still incentivizing solar (and obviously batteries). Now that digital meters are cheap (and the norm), the rules will likely be based around time of day use and time of day solar production as well as the time of battery energy delivery. I think this will incentivize solar designs to have maximum production when the electricity is most beneficial to the grid. Current net metering rules incentivize the most production annually, regardless of whether electricity is in high or low demand when it is produced. This needs to change. I voluntarily designed my panels to maximize fall/winter/spring and late day production. The largest array faces SW at a 48 degree slope.

 

[HaulingAss]

Unless you have so many panels more than you need to not be able to buy from them during the winter, you're going to have a ton of electricity you don't need in the summer.

If you heat with gas and cool with electricity, and have a site well-suited, it can work out. Solar panels are cheap enough to add more than you need most of the time so you can get through the low production times with conservation. A Cybertruck can be of real benefit by supporting any particularly dark string of days with imported electricity on those occasions.

Sure, depending upon particulars it might even cost more than simply buying all your electricity, but what is the value of self-sufficiency and the ability to keep your house cool as an iceberg in the summer at no additional cost?

 

[mongo]

To clarify the Gateway Issue:
Powershare only: The Powershare Gateway (aka 3V) contains the Tesla Asset Controller (TACO) which coordinates the grid isolation switch/ neutral forming transformer/ UWC/ Cybertruck. A Backup Switch can be used, but does not replace/ remove the need for the Gateway.

Modern Powerwall: The Powerwall 3 contains the TACO. The Gateway 3 is only there for the grid isolation switch whose function can also be provided by a Backup Switch. If Backup Switch is used, there is no Gateway in the Powerwall 3 System.

Old Powerwall: In older Powerwall systems, the Gateway 2 contained part of the TACO functionality and was required, no backup switch option.

Non Backup: Powerwall 3 plus Tesla Energy Monitor allows time of use shifting without backup functionality. No Gateway nor backup switch.

Sponsored