Powershare Install Completed

[Mtnrunner]

Thanks for intel. I assumed a Powerwall would back up my entire existing panel without the need to have a separate panel with desired circuits lit up during a power outage. That’s my main concern with PowerShare, separating circuits from main panel adding more complexity, bulk and points of failure.

Also wondering why those who indicated to Tesla that they had a Powerwall were mostly disqualified for the PowerShare benefit.

Bottom line for me is does PowerShare really add that much to my home, especially if the power outage occurs when I’m away with my CT? My food still rots and there’s a fair amount of complexity to the installation.

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[Freemarket]

I have the $2500 credit for the gateway and UWC, but just got the quote from the electrician yesterday through QMerit. $5600 for install. I spoke to him this morning and am not sure I’ll go through with it for that much. I have a 50amp breaker available for the UWC and very little to do to the existing panel to put the gateway right next to it, along with the UWC, all super close. I was hoping for something closer to $2500 on the install to make sense of doing this. Any one else agree with my line of thinking or do you think $5600 is probably fair?

Based on this OP and looking at your photos, I think my system will look very close to yours with the exception that it’ll all be on the other side of the meter near the panel in my garage. Perhaps there’s a benefit to having the gateway outside next to the Meter?

 

[carsly]

I have the $2500 credit for the gateway and UWC, but just got the quote from the electrician yesterday through QMerit. $5600 for install. I spoke to him this morning and am not sure I’ll go through with it for that much. I have a 50amp breaker available for the UWC and very little to do to the existing panel to put the gateway right next to it, along with the UWC, all super close. I was hoping for something closer to $2500 on the install to make sense of doing this. Any one else agree with my line of thinking or do you think $5600 is probably fair?

Based on this OP and looking at your photos, I think my system will look very close to yours with the exception that it’ll all be on the other side of the meter near the panel in my garage. Perhaps there’s a benefit to having the gateway outside next to the Meter?

I just received a QMerit quote of $6,600. No new panels or anything crazy. Just plug and chug into existing single family home with one panel and picking an assortment of circuits to back up.

And that doesn't include the equipment which is coming by way of Tesla. I was thinking $2,500 or so for the job as well.

I don't think I'll do it, feels excessive. By way of comparison I had a 20kw whole house natural gas generator installed a few years ago on another property and with a new electrical panel (which included reconnecting three sub-panels) and super long runs for electric and gas I was done under $15K and that included $5K for the generator. Qmerit just seems to be ripping people off through their sub-contractors.

 

[Freemarket]

I just received a QMerit quote of $6,600. No new panels or anything crazy. Just plug and chug into existing single family home with one panel and picking an assortment of circuits to back up.

And that doesn't include the equipment which is coming by way of Tesla. I was thinking $2,500 or so for the job as well.

I don't think I'll do it, feels excessive. By way of comparison I had a 20kw whole house natural gas generator installed a few years ago on another property and with a new electrical panel (which included reconnecting three sub-panels) and super long runs for electric and gas I was done under $15K and that included $5K for the generator. Qmerit just seems to be ripping people off through their sub-contractors.

Yeah I think it’s definitely excessive. The electrician alleges he has 7 projects just recently given to him in my area and will see how it goes. He thinks it’s a 2 man job for the whole day. In my opinion that’s $2500 for labor and minimal material. Plus yeah, we buy the $2500 in equipment. I’m going to hold tight and see if he checks back with me in a month or two since we have 12 months to use the credit anyhow. I’d even do it for $3500, but $5500-$6500 without major changes at the panel makes zero sense.

 

[mongo]

I just received a QMerit quote of $6,600. No new panels or anything crazy. Just plug and chug into existing single family home with one panel and picking an assortment of circuits to back up.

And that doesn't include the equipment which is coming by way of Tesla. I was thinking $2,500 or so for the job as well.

I don't think I'll do it, feels excessive. By way of comparison I had a 20kw whole house natural gas generator installed a few years ago on another property and with a new electrical panel (which included reconnecting three sub-panels) and super long runs for electric and gas I was done under $15K and that included $5K for the generator. Qmerit just seems to be ripping people off through their sub-contractors.

How old is the house?
Touching the main panel can mean bringing everything up to code including new AFCI and GFCI breakers. Are you only picking a few circuits and fitting those in Gateway? Otherwise, there is a new panel being added.

The old generator install was a bit under $10k versus this at under $7k. That doesn't seem bad.

 

[carsly]

How old is the house?
Touching the main panel can mean bringing everything up to code including new AFCI and GFCI breakers. Are you only picking a few circuits and fitting those in Gateway? Otherwise, there is a new panel being added.

The old generator install was a bit under $10k versus this at under $7k. That doesn't seem bad.

Mid 1980's, no changes to the panel are required. Only moving 6-8 circuits into the Powershare gateway.

For kicks, I priced out Tesla solar at the same house. To more than cover my electrical needs and with no Powerwalls I'm looking at $9,500 after the Federal tax credits. I'd bet they could add on powershare at that time for a heck of a lot less than $6,600. Thanks, but no thanks Qmerit! I'm thinking the whole Qmerit layer is a scam, should just let the approved contractors bid for the work.

 

[mongo]

Mid 1980's, no changes to the panel are required. Only moving 6-8 circuits into the Powershare gateway.

For kicks, I priced out Tesla solar at the same house. To more than cover my electrical needs and with no Powerwalls I'm looking at $9,500 after the Federal tax credits. I'd bet they could add on powershare at that time for a heck of a lot less than $6,600. Thanks, but no thanks Qmerit! I'm thinking the whole Qmerit layer is a scam, should just let the approved contractors bid for the work.

Yeah, I looked into Powerwall instead also.
FWIW, you only need a 240V charge connection (any brand) to use Powershare if you have Powerwall. Well, that and the as of yet unreleased software support.

 

[Dahongfei]

At this point, with no credits and ordering our gateway through Tesla, can’t we shop out our own electricians? From what I read, once it’s added, you can QR code it into your app and it’s ready.

 

[ChristoN]

Is it possible to have 2 vehicles set up to do PowerShare or does it only work with one?

 

[Obie_fl]

Do you mean at the same time?
I'm not sure if you can have two UWCs connected to the Gateway, interesting question though.

If you just mean two trucks able to hook up one at a time, I don't see why not if they both get whitelisted. I always assumed the whitelist would eventually go away and all trucks would be powershare ready but who knows?

 

[scottf200]

The only remaining circuits in my main panel are my oven, dryer, and solar inverter. They are my non-backup loads. I didn't need to touch my solar wiring and it will shutdown during an outage as expected.

So are your fridge/freezers on your subpanel? Sorry if I missed that.

 

[schmo]

So are your fridge/freezers on your subpanel? Sorry if I missed that.

Yes. The fridge and deep freeze, being 120 volt loads, are dedicated circuits off the subpanel.

 

[serge_98]

Do I understand this diagram (from the post #13) correctly, that the Wall Connector is connected to the same contacts in the Gateway to which backup load is connected, to the connection points C, D and E?
In this case, if I have a subpanel connected to the backup terminals, may it be possible to connect the wall connector's main power wires to the subpanel? And route only the control wires from the Gateway?

 

[mongo]

Do I understand this diagram (from the post #13) correctly, that the Wall Connector is connected to the same contacts in the Gateway to which backup load is connected, to the connection points C, D and E?
In this case, if I have a subpanel connected to the backup terminals, may it be possible to connect the wall connector's main power wires to the subpanel? And route only the control wires from the Gateway?

Yes, yeah, yes
Though the breakers in the path may all need hold downs...

 

[schmo]

Do I understand this diagram (from the post #13) correctly, that the Wall Connector is connected to the same contacts in the Gateway to which backup load is connected, to the connection points C, D and E?
In this case, if I have a subpanel connected to the backup terminals, may it be possible to connect the wall connector's main power wires to the subpanel? And route only the control wires from the Gateway?

Yes, it’s all on the same bus. I had a NEMA 14-50 on my subpanel before the PowerShare install which worked fine with the Cybertruck at 40 amps.

Have you asked your installer about connecting the UWC through your subpanel?

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