Tesla currently sits at the top of the food chain in electric vehicle production, remarkably apparent by the fact that their share price remained unaffected by a ‘soft recall’ of 285,000 cars in China in late June.

What’s more impressive is the company’s dedication to producing clean energy products like the Tesla Powerwall, which is a solid move evident by the increasing public reliance on solar energy.

The Tesla Powerwall 2 is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery used for storing solar energy to power a home during outages, night time and periods of bad weather.

You can even monitor and manage your energy use remotely using an app and get alerts of upcoming bad weather.

The battery is designed to work with a solar photovoltaic system which comprises solar panels and the necessary hardware to convert energy from the sun to electricity that can power a home.

Here’s everything we know of the Tesla Powerwall 2 and our take on whether you should get one.

The Tesla Powerwall 2 Can Charge At Below-Freezing Temperatures

Tesla Powerwall 2
via Tesla

Whereas other lithium batteries experience lower charge rates at below-freezing temperatures, the Tesla Powerwall 2 has a thermal management system that allows it to increase charge performance by preheating the battery cells through a process Tesla calls preconditioning.

Preconditioning automatically turns on when temperatures are below freezing. The Powerwall will either use power from the grid to preheat the cells or use stored energy when there’s a blackout.

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Ten Year Warranty

Tesla Powerwall 2
via Tesla

The Powerwall 2 comes with a 10-year warranty that guarantees the battery will retain 80% of the original energy capacity during that period.

If it happens to fall under 80% of the original energy capacity within a decade, you’re eligible to get a replacement.

Although energy capacity reduces over time in batteries, the Tesla Powerwall 2 has a high chance of functioning in a good manner beyond its 10-year warranty.

The Tesla Powerwall 2 Has An AC Battery With An Inbuilt Inverter

Unlike the first Powerwall, which had a DC-coupled battery, the second edition has an AC-coupled battery with an inbuilt inverter.

It’s advantageous as it can be used as a stand-alone backup power source without solar power.

Additionally, the Tesla Powerwall 2 has a capacity of 13.5 kWh, which is sufficient to power the average home for 24 houts with an output of 5 kW and 7kW at peak times.

The Tesla Powerwall 2 Has A Liquid Cooling System

Tesla Powerwall 2
via Tesla

By incorporating a liquid thermal management system, the Tesla Powerwall 2 is able to turn out more heat during high loads and rapid charging, giving it a longer lifespan and better performance at high temperatures.

It’s able to able to perform well from temperatures of -4 to upwards of +120°F, although it can still experience power reductions at temperatures above 100°F.

The Tesla Powerwall 2 Can’t Provide Backup Power Without A Backup Gateway

The backup gateway’s primary function is to cut off the electricity supply from the grid in case it detects a problem or if there’s a blackout and allow the Powerwall to function off-grid until the battery is depleted. The gateway also functions as an energy management system and communications hub.

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Additional Powerwalls Are Needed For An Off-Grid Setup

It’s impossible to use the Powerwall as an off-grid energy supply source on its own. To go completely off-grid, you’d need at least two Powerwalls to meet energy consumption needs. Until then, you’d have to stay connected to the grid.

The Tesla Powerwall 2 Needs An Additional Solar Inverter

Tesla Powerwall 2
via Tesla

Since the Powerwall 2 is an AC battery (AC in / AC out), it needs an additional solar converter for it to function with a solar array. This is to convert DC solar energy to AC that can be stored in the battery and used to power the home.

You Can’t Install The Powerwall On An Existing Solar PV System

Elon Musk recently made an announcement that Powerwalls will be bundled with Tesla solar panels and solar roof systems, making it impossible to buy one without the other.

This is especially bad news to people who would prefer to fit the Powerwall with an existing solar PV system.

Is The Tesla Powerwall 2 Worth It?

Tesla Powerwall 2
via Tesla

The Tesla Powerwall 2 is among the most advanced and reliable battery storage units on the market. That said, with an MSRP of $8,500 before installation and an additional $10,500 for installation, it’s not cheap.

The pros definitely outweigh the cons, but you have to consider the fact that you can’t install it on an existing solar PV system. Although if you’re looking to buy the full setup and have a Tesla vehicle to match, it’s a good option to power your home and your vehicle.

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