The Tesla Powerwall 3 boasts impressive features and specifications that set it apart from its previous models. With a nominal grid voltage of 120/240 VAC and a grid type of split phase, it operates at a frequency of 60 Hz. The Powerwall 3 incorporates robust overcurrent protection with a 60A device and offers excellent surge withstand voltage on both AC ports (4 kV) and communication ports (2 kV). It also demonstrates impressive radiated RF immunity at 35 V/m.

One of the standout features of the Powerwall 3 is its exceptional efficiency. It boasts a solar-to-battery-to-grid round-trip efficiency of 89% and a remarkable solar-to-grid efficiency of 97%, ensuring minimal energy losses during operation. The Powerwall 3 supports various islanding devices, including Backup Gateway 2, Backup Switch, and Gateway 3, enhancing its versatility and compatibility.

Connectivity is a strong suit of the Powerwall 3, with Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), dual-port switched Ethernet, and cellular (LTE/4G options available. It also features a hardware interface with a dry contact relay, Rapid Shutdown (RSD) certified switch and 2-pin connector, and RS-485 for meters. The AC metering is revenue-grade, ensuring accurate measurements with a precision of +/- 0.5%.

In terms of safety, the Powerwall 3 incorporates an integrated arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), Isolation Monitor Interrupter (IMI), and PV Rapid Shutdown (RSD) using Tesla Mid-Circuit Interrupters, providing comprehensive protection against potential hazards. Customers can conveniently monitor and control the system through the Tesla Mobile App.

The Powerwall 3 offers a 10-year warranty, ensuring long-term reliability and peace of mind for users. With a maximum solar STC input of 20 kW and a withstand voltage of 600V DC, it can handle substantial solar power input. [5] The PV DC input voltage range is 60-550V DC, while the MPPT voltage range is 60-480V DC, accommodating a wide range of solar panel configurations. It features three MPPTs, each capable of handling a maximum current of 13A and a maximum short-circuit current of 15A.

The Powerwall 3 boasts a nominal battery energy of 13.5 kWh, a maximum continuous discharge power of 11.04 kW, and a maximum continuous discharge power off-grid (PV only, -20°C to 25°C) of 11.04 kW. Its maximum continuous charge power is 5 kW, and the output power factor rating is configurable from 0 to 1, allowing for grid code compliance. With a maximum continuous current of 48A and a load start capability of 185A LRA (1s), the Powerwall 3 can handle substantial power demands. Additionally, the system supports power scalability, with up to four Powerwall 3 units supported, enabling users to expand their energy storage capacity as needed.

Please note, some of the above information subject to change once PW3 has been launched in UK.

Direct DC Coupling

The Powerwall 3 integrates directly with solar panels, featuring an integrated solar inverter for a more efficient setup and eliminates the need for an additional solar inverter, reducing the required power conversions. In a system with direct DC coupling, the solar energy generated by the panels goes straight into the Powerwall 3’s battery, avoiding the need for additional conversions. This direct charging of the battery results in higher efficiency, with the Powerwall 3 boasting an impressive 96-97% charging efficiency compared to the 92-93% efficiency of the Powerwall 2.

Increased System Efficiency

The direct DC coupling of Powerwall 3 with solar panels contributes to increased overall system efficiency. By eliminating the need for multiple power conversions, the system minimises energy losses, allowing us to harness more of the solar energy generated by our panels.

We can see the efficiency gains when examining the power conversion process in detail. With a DC-coupled system, the solar energy generated by the panels is directly stored in the Powerwall 3’s battery, with charging losses typically less than 3%. In contrast, an AC-coupled system like the Powerwall 2 requires power conversion from DC to AC at the solar inverter and then from AC to DC during battery charging, resulting in a combined loss of around 7%. Additionally, when discharging the stored energy, there is a further 3% loss from converting DC to AC. By minimising these conversion losses, the Powerwall 3’s DC-coupled design achieves a higher round-trip efficiency, allowing us to maximize the utilization of our solar energy.

Moreover, the integrated solar inverter in the Powerwall 3 offers additional benefits. With six Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) inputs, the system can efficiently handle shading requirements across various installations, ensuring optimal solar energy capture. Furthermore, the Powerwall 3’s integrated inverter is programmable, with an output range of 3.68 kW to 11.04 kW, providing greater flexibility in system design and compliance with grid restrictions imposed by District Network Operators (DNOs).

The Powerwall 3 stands out for its impressive round-trip efficiency of 97.5%. This means it can store more solar power before sending it to the grid, which helps minimize energy wastage. Tesla likely achieved this by combining the inverter and battery system, removing the need for an external inverter and improving the overall system design.

The new Powerwall 3 now includes a built-in solar inverter, a significant change from the Powerwall 2, which previously required a separate solar inverter. This new design offers several advantages:

1. More efficient: Connecting solar panels directly to the Powerwall 3’s integrated inverter reduces power conversion losses, making the system more efficient.

2. Easier to monitor: The integrated inverter allows users to monitor and control both the solar and battery systems through a single Tesla Mobile App, making everything easier to manage.

3. Saves money: Eliminating the need for a separate solar inverter saves users money, making the whole solar and storage system more affordable.

In addition, it has 3 individual solar connections, allowing for a maximum solar input of 20 kW or 6.6 kW per connection. This is an improvement from the previous Powerwall Plus model, allowing for more efficient shade mitigation and installing a larger number of solar panels at once. Also, the Powerwall 3’s inverter is programmable, with an output range of 3.68 kW to 11.04 kW. This flexibility allows users to adjust the output to comply with DNO grid restrictions, increasing the chance of getting approval for grid connections that may have been rejected before by SPEN or SSE. This feature promises access to the desired solar and storage system.