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Reduce Your Energy Bills with a Tesla Powerwall in the UK
Solar batteries are a great addition to any household looking to enjoy the benefits of solar power even when solar panels are not exposed to sunlight. While there are several solar battery brands available in the UK today, one of the best options you can choose is the Tesla Powerwall solar battery.
The Tesla Powerwall can reduce your energy bills and help save you money in the long term. This is because when you generate your own solar energy at home you become less reliant on the National Grid. As it reduces the amount of electricity you need to buy. On top of that, you can even see a return on your investment by selling your surplus energy, depending on your supplier.
Solar battery storage prices typically range between £230 and £10,000 depending on their capacity, materials, and life cycle. In general, lithium-ion solar batteries such as the Tesla Powerwall are known to be the most cost-effective type of battery, due to their higher usable capacity and longer lifespan. However, the initial cost can be a pain.
From 1 Feb 2024, 0% VAT will apply to retrofitted residential solar batteries.
Residential battery storage systems are now exempt from VAT in the UK, whether installed new, retroactively, or alongside a solar panel system.
Previously, 0% VAT was only available for domestic solar batteries when installed with a new solar panel system.
To ensure that you do not overspend on your new solar battery, you will want to find the best deal for both product and installation costs. Looking for the lowest prices on your own can take hours, if not days, of research and comparing installation companies. Thankfully, you can skip the hassle and get in touch with solar experts from our broad network of specialists.
By clicking the button below, you can find out what your options are without any obligation or cost before making your decision. All you have to do is fill in our 30-second form to request quotes from up to 4 solar experts. Get started today and find the best deal for your home!
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What is a Tesla Powerwall?
The Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable lithium-ion solar battery. As well as being able to store solar panel generated energy, you can also charge this battery with any electricity source if need be. It can detect outages and automatically become your home’s energy source, meaning you’ll never have to worry about unexpectedly losing power again.
What is more, the Tesla Powerwall has one of the highest energy capacities when compared to other solar batteries on the UK market. Tesla is known for producing both quality and beautifully designed products. This is why the Tesla Powerwall is the most widely-installed battery backup in homes across the country.
The first model of the Powerwall came out in 2015 and has continued to be refined, with the creation of the Powerwall 2 and the Powerwall+. The Powerwall 2 originally came out in October 2016 and was updated in November 2020. The Powerwall+, introduced in April 2021, is a combination of the Powerwall 2, a Backup Gateway and a solar inverter.
For all of these reasons, the Tesla Powerwall 2 was among our picks for one of the best solar batteries of the year. Let’s dive deeper into what makes it special.
Tesla Powerwall 2 specs: Capacity, battery, and dimensions
The Tesla Powerwall 2 is one of the best batteries for solar and has a total capacity of 14 kWh and usable capacity of 13.5 kWh. It can deliver 5 kW of power continuously and 7 kW of peak power in short 10-second bursts. Furthermore, you can install up to 10 Powerwall units to maximise the amount of solar energy you can store in your home.
Later versions of the Powerwall 2, since November 2020, are able to deliver 5.8 kW continuously and 10 kW of peak power.
This makes it ideal for larger households or for those who want to run their car on solar energy. If you don’t require this much energy then a solar battery with a smaller capacity might be more suitable for your home.
Furthermore, the Tesla Powerwall’s dimensions are 1,150 x 753 x 147 mm and it can be either wall- or floor-mounted, making it easy to fit in with your home.
It has a warranty of 10 years for unlimited cycles and 80% of the original energy capacity (when it is charged using solar energy). This means you can have peace of mind knowing that you qualify for a replacement if your Powerwall falls below 80% of the original capacity within the first 10 years after installation.
Tesla pride themselves on creating quality products and the Powerwall has an average lifespan of about 20 years, so you can feel even more secure knowing that this solar battery is built to last.
We’ve summarised the Tesla Powerwall 2 specs in the table below:
| Total Capacity | 14 kWh |
| Usable Capacity | 13.5 kWh |
| Depth of Discharge | 100% |
| Efficiency | 90% |
| Power | Oct. 2016: 7kW peak / 5kWcontinuous, Nov. 2020: 10kW peak / 5.8kW continuous |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Scalable | Up to 10 Powerwalls |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 50°C |
| Dimensions | 1,150 x 753 x 147 mm |
| Weight | 114 kgs |
| Installation | Floor or wall mounted, indoor or outdoor, water and dust resistance |
| Certifications | Meets local safety standards and regulations |
Benefits of a Tesla Powerwall
If you’re thinking that a battery is an unnecessary component when it comes to installing solar panels you might want to reconsider. There are multiple ways you can benefit from installing a Tesla Powerwall. We’ve listed them below so you can stay informed and make sure you don’t miss out:
- Become 100% energy-independent: You don’t need to rely on the National Grid or worry about power cuts since you can store your excess electricity. This is increasingly important as power outages become more regular due to more extreme weather.
- Touch-safe: No exposed wires or vents, and no areas that will overheat. Therefore, there’s no need to worry about potential safety hazards for children or pets.
- No maintenance required: The Powerwall is an automated system so you can save money on maintenance.
- Mobile phone app: Can track how much (or little) energy you are consuming. Furthermore, you can receive energy usage estimations and instant alerts for weather forecasts.
- Increases property value: A complete solar installation is attractive for potential buyers as it adds actual monetary value to the property and helps save on energy bills. Solar Energy UK’s research of more than 5 million properties found that a solar installation could increase value by £1,891 – £2,722.
- Weatherproof: Can also be installed outside as it is able to withstand bad weather conditions.
- Aesthetically-pleasing: Tesla is known for its beautiful and minimalistic design, and the battery can be either floor or wall-mounted. So, it should be an attractive addition to your home decor.
- Easy installation: It has an inbuilt DC-AC inverter, making installation simple and less costly.
- Enhance performance in any climate: The liquid thermal control system manages Powerwall’s internal temperature.
How does a Powerwall help you reduce your energy costs?
Arguably the biggest benefit of all is that the Tesla Powerwall can reduce your energy costs. Whether you still plan to use electricity from the grid or want to go completely solar, you can save money with a Tesla Powerwall either way:
- Avoid paying the full price for electricity: Electricity is cheaper at night in the UK. This is because the least amount of electricity is taken from the grid during this time and so energy suppliers offer cheaper prices as a result. Therefore, if you need to use electricity you can charge your Tesla Powerwall during off-peak hours, saving you money.
- Being environmentally friendly pays: You can greatly reduce or even completely eliminate your use of fossil fuels, and benefit from extensive and sustainable solar power. During the brightest parts of the day, your solar panels may actually generate more energy than you need.
This extra energy can be stored in your Tesla Powerwall and then be used on cloudy days or at night, meaning you won’t need electricity from the grid. It’s also possible to sell your energy back to the grid, meaning you can get a return on your investment.
How much does a Tesla Powerwall cost?
The price of Tesla Powerwall 2 in the UK is £5,400. Its total cost with installation depends on its complexity and supporting hardware and varies between £7,100–£9,900.
When you take into account the Powerwall’s capacity, depth of discharge, and lifespan (alongside the other benefits mentioned above) it can end up being a more worthwhile investment.
Below we’ve summarised the approximate price of a Tesla Powerwall 2 in the UK:
| Tesla Powerwall 2 | £5,400 |
| Upfront Deposit | £400 |
| Supporting Hardware | £500 |
| Installation | £800-£2,800 |
| Total Cost (before installation) | £6,300-£7,900 |
| Total Cost (with installation) | £7,100-£9,900 |
Grants For the Tesla Powerwall
If you’re concerned about the initial price of the Tesla Powerwall, don’t worry as there are thankfully ways to cut the costs. In the UK, there are a few different solar panel grants you can look into.
Firstly, there is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) where you can earn money by exporting your stored electricity to the National Grid. Export tariffs vary depending on your energy supplier, but 4-6p/kWh is considered to be a good rate. Check with your energy supplier if exporting your stored energy is possible, as you may be missing out on making money from your solar energy.
Secondly, the new VAT laws were introduced in the UK on the 1st April 2022. If you set up your solar battery system while installing your solar panels, you can secure VAT at 0% on the Powerwall and on the solar installation. It’s important to note that you need to install everything with the same installation company to benefit from the 0% VAT.
Thirdly, if you’re looking for solar panel grants in Scotland, there is the possibility of receiving the Home Energy Scotland Loan. You can get up to £6,000 and £5,000 interest-free when you install solar panels and batteries, respectively.
If the cost of installing a Tesla Powerwall or another solar battery is what’s stopping you from upgrading your home to be more environmentally friendly, then we recommend you research the best prices in your area. One way you can easily do this is by comparing quotes from several local installers. That way you can see your options without any obligation or cost before making your decision.
Finding a reliable installer to work with is hassle-free with our 30-second form. By answering a few short questions, you can request free, no-obligation quotes from up to 4 solar experts in your area. Simply click below and request quotes now!
- Quotes from local engineers
- Payment by finance available
- Save up to £660 per year
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Brontë is an experienced writer and editor for GreenMatch. Her passion for sustainability and renewable energy drives her to stay at the forefront of green-energy trends.
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