PowerShare thoughts.... better with Power wall 3.

[akenis]

Trying to figure out how to proceed. Got quote for PowerShare install near Tampa.

Install V3 Gateway 2,400
Permit 400
Instal UWC 595
3,495

Lot's of questions about design. Price seems higher than some, but way better than others. After research, I think I want PW3 as part of my system, for the following reasons:

1. Seamless backup with no delay
2. House is powered without CT. Can go charge CT and house stays powered
3. LRA. Powershare only supports 110A. My AC is 124 amps. Power wall supports 185 Amps
4. Load shifting on Time of use electrical rate plan. Charge everything between midnight to 6am at 5 cents per kWH savings
5. Easy to add solar later
6. Set up qualifies for 30% tax credit with Powerwall 3 included.

Tesla says Power share will work with any version of Powerwall and any version of wall connector (at some point).

Powerwall install quote direct from Tesla is:

PW 8,200
Gateway 900
Accessories 200
Installation 5,600
Tax 1,005
15,905

If adding to an existing system, that is reduced to 11,203. Tesla install would use either a Gateway V2 or backup switch. Given all that:

1. Am I better off with gateway 3V vs 2V or backup switch. What are the pros/cons.

2. With power share activated, can the CT be used to power house WITHOUT power outage? Load shift.

3. When will dumb Powerwall 3's be available (without inverter)? Should be a lot cheaper to expand.

4. Will there be an ethernet connection between gateway and powerwall

5. With power share only, would you exclude backup to 145 LRA heatpump, and 124 LRA AC

6. With 2 Wall connectors on 2 different 60 A breakers, will wall connector netework need to be current reduced. Avail Amp /2 = max amp per wall connector when both used. PS not required if greater than 48 amps. I have 200A service.

7. Why does Tesla say solar panels are not compatible with metal roof? They direct you to more expensive solar roof.

8. V3 Gateway on outside of house? Does that become service disconnect with bonded neutral and ground?

I'm leaning toward getting PowerShare install from my Tesla directed partner. Installation cost of 3V at $2,400 is way better than Tesla installing V2 at $5600 installation cost. Will ask them to quote adding a Powerwall 3.

I'm also guessing that the newer 3V gateway is somehow more versatile/improved over V2 or Backup Switch.

Thanks for any input!!!

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[akenis]

Well talking to installer, 3V gateway (PowerShare Gateway) does not accept connection to PW3.

And I learned that Gateway 3V (V for vehicle) is different than new Gateway 3.

Regarding Gateway 3V, the PowerShare web page does say you can add PowerWall later. I have to assume that it will be a physical connection to PW 3 and not require additional hardware?

Gateway 3V has a big transformer at the top....takes trucks 220 and creates a neutral so you can feed 110V.

 

[Cyber Man]

Great thread and perfect timing! I was having all these questions and researching about them online today. One more question to your list - if you get Tesla directed partner to install Power Share and Power Wall, would Tesla FS cover up to $4K installation cost for both or just a portion of the install for Power Share only, which could be less than $4K?

 

[CyberGus]

What we need is a "mini powerwall" that can power the house for the 30 seconds it takes to switch over to the Cybertruck. How many AA Energizers do you think?

 

[Derektsla]

What we need is a "mini powerwall" that can power the house for the 30 seconds it takes to switch over to the Cybertruck. How many AA Energizers do you think?

This is a great idea, I would definitely buy a mini power wall. The installer told me that it takes anywhere from 3-45 seconds for PowerShare to kick in. 3 seconds if the car is awake, and up to 45 seconds if it’s in a deep sleep. He also said that once PowerShare activates, it will stay in for a period of time (I think he said 10m) before it switches back to the grid, even if the grid is already back up. This is to prevent it from cycling on/off with power flickering.

 

[cofree]

I'm in a similar situation...

Quote 1 (with the gateway 3V from the company Tesla forces me to go with): $4500.

Quote 2 (the powerwall3 and backup switch) with a different Tesla certified installer after federal rebate and utility rebate: $4700

The advantages of powerwall3 you mention are exactly the ones I concluded. As far as I can tell it would be completely wrong for us to get the gateway 3V with the official Tesla installer.

Some partial answers, as far as I can tell:
1) IIRC the backup switch is for utilities that support it, and is a cheaper solution.
3) and also... what is the price!

but then I also want to know:
* Can I get the gateway 3V installed in a different state at another home I own?
* Can I still get the HPWC (the included one with FS) anyway, as a second one wouldn't be bad with 3 Teslas by then?

 

[akenis]

Great thread and perfect timing! I was having all these questions and researching about them online today. One more question to your list - if you get Tesla directed partner to install Power Share and Power Wall, would Tesla FS cover up to $4K installation cost for both or just a portion of the install for Power Share only, which could be less than $4K?

My guess the 4K allowance would only go toward the PowerShare portion. But I think you could get creative with the invoice. When I had my Gen 3 Wall connector installed, I also had a 50 amp circuit and wiring added for a pool heat pump. The WC charges were very high (tax credit) and I got a great deal on the heat pump wiring!

 

[txtravwill]

My take.

A couple powerwalls would be good for wants. One can only put so much active power so depends on what you could be running to need that seamless switch. Also a metal roof if standing seam is best as panels just clamp on with no damage at all,,.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

Are there any tax rebates for power sharing installation? I know there are for wall connectors.

 

[akenis]

I'm in a similar situation...

Quote 1 (with the gateway 3V from the company Tesla forces me to go with): $4500.

Quote 2 (the powerwall3 and backup switch) with a different Tesla certified installer after federal rebate and utility rebate: $4700

The advantages of powerwall3 you mention are exactly the ones I concluded. As far as I can tell it would be completely wrong for us to get the gateway 3V with the official Tesla installer.

Some partial answers, as far as I can tell:
1) IIRC the backup switch is for utilities that support it, and is a cheaper solution.
3) and also... what is the price!

but then I also want to know:
* Can I get the gateway 3V installed in a different state at another home I own?
* Can I still get the HPWC (the included one with FS) anyway, as a second one wouldn't be bad with 3 Teslas by then?

I don't think it would be completely wrong to install V3 gateway. But we need more info. More info here: https://www.tesla.com/support/powershare

It now says:

For Customers without Powerwall
For homes not equipped with Powerwall, a Universal Wall Connector and Powershare Gateway will be required to use Powershare Home Backup.

Even after Powershare Gateway is installed, adding Powerwall upgrades you to an instant, seamless backup solution that can maximize the value of your system and ensure your home is prepared for severe weather events. Solar Roof and solar panels add the ability to generate your own electricity and further increase your independence from the grid and utility costs.

So the question is when and how can you add a Powerwall? My installer said that Gateway 3V currently does not have documentation for connection to Powerwall. Powerwall docs have instructions for how to connect to other gateways or Backup Switch. My guess is Gateway 3V will be similar... at some point.

Does your quote 2 include a charger..... or do you already have one? I already have one. Figure it can't hurt to have another one installed since we've already paid for it.

I would think that you should have option to have PowerShare installed at either home. But I think it's a combo package.... you get both the gateway and the charger, or you decline. Given that, I doubt you could put the gateway at one house and the charger at another.

 

[akenis]

My take.

A couple powerwalls would be good for wants. One can only put so much active power so depends on what you could be running to need that seamless switch. Also a metal roof if standing seam is best as panels just clamp on with no damage at all,,.

Tesla won't do it. I watched a youtube video of a solar guy bashing Scotty Kilmer's take on solar.



In that video, he mentioned no panels on metal roof for liability or something? But the door to door solar schemers say it's easy.... just clip on!

 

[cofree]

So the question is when and how can you add a Powerwall? My installer said that Gateway 3V currently does not have documentation for connection to Powerwall. Powerwall docs have instructions for how to connect to other gateways or Backup Switch. My guess is Gateway 3V will be similar... at some point.

Does your quote 2 include a charger..... or do you already have one? I already have one. Figure it can't hurt to have another one installed since we've already paid for it.

I would think that you should have option to have PowerShare installed at either home. But I think it's a combo package.... you get both the gateway and the charger, or you decline. Given that, I doubt you could put the gateway at one house and the charger at another.

The quote2 doesn't include an HPWC... but the Tesla store $700 voucher (if I don't do quote1) should more than cover that, but quote2 did include installation of a HPWC (I have one older one currently installed on a 100Amp circuit, so I think this would be trivial anyway)

yeah, I mean there are some minor advantage to quote1... $200 in my pocket, installed before the Cybertruck can work with the powerwall instead of the gateway3V... but realistically for us the advantages of the powerwall solution are just dramatically better.
I do fear that many people (of those who have the same utility as us) will choose the suboptimal solution (gateway3V) simply because they aren't aware of the viability and incentives of the powerwall solution. I really think Tesla should send an email out to buyers explaining the multiple ways of getting home backup and mention that the powerwall solution may be cheaper based on government and utility incentives.

 

[txtravwill]

Tesla won't do it. I watched a youtube video of a solar guy bashing Scotty Kilmer's take on solar.



In that video, he mentioned no panels on metal roof for liability or something? But the door to door solar schemers say it's easy.... just clip on!

Totally odd yeah Tesla just clamped ours on, Tesla direct. They do really evaluate pitch as metal can be slippery. They also sprayed Sprite/soda on roof so was sticky and use ropes. But otherwise yeah it's easy to slip off.

 

[akenis]

I'm in a similar situation...

Quote 1 (with the gateway 3V from the company Tesla forces me to go with): $4500.

Quote 2 (the powerwall3 and backup switch) with a different Tesla certified installer after federal rebate and utility rebate: $4700

Wait...quote 2 includes the 8K Powerwall 3 and hardware? I thought that was just installation. My PW3 quote was 5,600 just for installation right on Tesla website.

 

[CyberTally]

Here's an installation of 75 solar panels mounted on a standing seam metal roof. This job was permitted and installed in 2019 by a state Certified Solar Contractor, and inspected and passed by the building inspector.

It can be done, legally.

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