Powershare update: Home Backup enabled for Solar + Backup Switch

[chaosmarine92]

High daytime cost means it will charge Powerwall from the sun and wait to charge the vehicle until solar or the night rate kicks in.
A high night rate would make it want to charge the PW in the day on the lower rate.
The zero buyback is to prevent it charging from the "cheap" period and exporting during the "expensive" time.

Ah ok, I'll have to do some experimenting with this.

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[koolio]

The Powerwall 3 itself requires a Gateway or Backup Switch. It's inherent in the installation.

So, when adding Powershare to Powerwall, the only extra piece needed is the WC.

Ah, okay...I see what you mean and what my confusion was. I thought ppl already had their solar + PW installed and were talking about needing another Gateway or Backup Switch. Thanks, for the clarification.

My install has a Backup Switch + Powerwall 3 + solar panels + Wall Connector (gen 3). So, in my scenario (and most people who already have had solar + PW installed), all that's needed is the Powerwall software update to be released in Q3 2025.

 

[FlyShacker]

Great discussion. I have learned a lot from all of you. I see I will need to do some experimentation with the app once I have everything up and running.

 

[Eka]

I got the following email from Tesla. Looks like I can't use solar during an outage.

​

Hi Randy, Congratulations on the installation of your Powershare equipment. You can now use your Powershare Home Backup system. To get started, download the Tesla app and review the Powershare Home Backup tutorials to learn how to activate your system and enable it using your vehicle’s control settings. If your system is paired with a solar backup circuit, turn your solar inverter breaker(s) OFF before manually testing your Powershare functionality. Failing to do so may cause damage to your system. If you have any questions, contact your Tesla Advisor. The Tesla Team​

I figure this is because the inverter in the Cybertruck isn't designed to work in concert with other inverters like the inverters in Megapacks are designed to do. You need fast real time control and the right sensors to do the DC to AC conversion for the later. I can do the conversion in the Cybertgruck with a low power 8 bit processor and relatively simple software.

 

[hemiarch]

Does anyone have any recent insights as to when us powerwall 3 users are going to be able to PowerShare?

 

[koolio]

Does anyone have any recent insights as to when us powerwall 3 users are going to be able to PowerShare?

I have the same question but it does not seem like Tesla is prioritizing this

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I have the same question but it does not seem like Tesla is prioritizing this

Or, perhaps, even thinking about it :-(

 

[koolio]

Or, perhaps, even thinking about it :-(

My only sliver of hope is they updated their documentation saying it’s coming in 2026. Last I read, it was supposed to be Q3 2025

 

[txtravwill]

It was in late 2024, change to mid 25, then late, then now mid 2026, site just says soon. Lost all trust in meeting any timeline after two+ years now.

 

[HaulingAss]

Does anyone have any recent insights as to when us powerwall 3 users are going to be able to PowerShare?

The last Tesla communicated was towards the end of 2026. They mentioned the extra time would be used to increase functionality.

This is a big deal because electrical providers all over the country are coming up with new rules around things like Time-of-Use metering and energy purchases from retail customers, net solar metering, programs to buy electricity above market rates during "flex events" (which are typically high electrical demand events or when a power generation station needs to be unexpectedly taken off-line for whatever reason), etc. It looks like Tesla is using this time to ensure compatibility with many of these utility programs to earn money and increase flexibility of the system for their customers. It's complex because every utility has their own rules and requirements.

I have so much confidence that Tesla means what they say that I recently had a solar/powerwall system installed with only one Powerwall 3 (because I have confidence my Cybertruck will be able to provide the additional storage). I want to be ready to hit the ground running when the new functionality is activated (and I also wanted to get the current net metering grandfathered in).

 

[Eka]

At some point the basic functionality needs to work. The bells and whistles can be added in a later release.

 

[chaosmarine92]

The last Tesla communicated was towards the end of 2026. They mentioned the extra time would be used to increase functionality.

This is a big deal because electrical providers all over the country are coming up with new rules around things like Time-of-Use metering and energy purchases from retail customers, net solar metering, programs to buy electricity above market rates during "flex events" (which are typically high electrical demand events or when a power generation station needs to be unexpectedly taken off-line for whatever reason), etc. It looks like Tesla is using this time to ensure compatibility with many of these utility programs to earn money and increase flexibility of the system for their customers. It's complex because every utility has their own rules and requirements.

I have so much confidence that Tesla means what they say that I recently had a solar/powerwall system installed with only one Powerwall 3 (because I have confidence my Cybertruck will be able to provide the additional storage). I want to be ready to hit the ground running when the new functionality is activated (and I also wanted to get the current net metering grandfathered in).

I just need it to work with my powerwall during an outage. That's it. Any bells and whistles do me no good because my utility doesn't have any convoluted pricing schemes. I pay a flat rate all the time like I'm sure a ton of people do.

 

[HaulingAss]

I just need it to work with my powerwall during an outage. That's it. Any bells and whistles do me no good because my utility doesn't have any convoluted pricing schemes. I pay a flat rate all the time like I'm sure a ton of people do.

I too pay a flat rate too under the current net metering scheme which is getting long in the tooth. Tesla is preparing for a whole bunch of new rules and metering schemes coming down the pike at utilities across the nation.

 

[HaulingAss]

I just need it to work with my powerwall during an outage. That's it. Any bells and whistles do me no good because my utility doesn't have any convoluted pricing schemes. I pay a flat rate all the time like I'm sure a ton of people do.

The utility changes are coming to electrical utilities nationwide. If you just need basic functionality to get you through a power outage you can already plug the Cybertruck into a generator input that prevents accidentally back-feeding. Tesla is building a forward thinking ecosystem, not satisfying electricity into a downed grid (and threatening utility workers). It already works great for that.

The complexities on a national scale run deep. Tesla is looking forward to maximize functionality in leu of immediate satisfaction. Tesla is building a very forward-thinking ecosystem that will maximize the role of sustainable energies. They don't want to build a profitable walled garden, they want to speed the overall transition to a sustainable future. If I have to wait another 6-9 months, that's fine with me. I probably won't need it in that timeframe anyway.

 

[chaosmarine92]

The utility changes are coming to electrical utilities nationwide. If you just need basic functionality to get you through a power outage you can already plug the Cybertruck into a generator input that prevents accidentally back-feeding. Tesla is building a forward thinking ecosystem, not satisfying electricity into a downed grid (and threatening utility workers). It already works great for that.

The complexities on a national scale run deep. Tesla is looking forward to maximize functionality in leu of immediate satisfaction. Tesla is building a very forward-thinking ecosystem that will maximize the role of sustainable energies. They don't want to build a profitable walled garden, they want to speed the overall transition to a sustainable future. If I have to wait another 6-9 months, that's fine with me. I probably won't need it in that timeframe anyway.

I wasn't sold the idea of needing more work done to my house to have an inferior product. I was sold the idea that powershare will work in a few months with no effort required from me. The only thing I've seen from Tesla since then is repeated announcements of delays to powershare while they roll out new software features in the truck that no one asked for and are useless (Santa and Tron mode ect).

I have been lucky that I haven't needed powershare yet. My neighbor's the next city over weren't. Some of them went without power for over a week when the huge winter storm hit. Do you think those people are glad Tesla is working on the fancy rate sharing stuff instead of putting out something basic that works first?

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