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considerably is to claim the26% federal solar tax credit(ITC)
that runs through 2022. Using the 4.8 kW solar panel system
in the example above, you could save over $5,300 in federal
tax incentives, which would lower your total cost to around
$15,300. However, the ITC is applicable only if you purchase or
finance your system, but not if you decide tolease your solar
systemor enter asolar power purchase agreement(PPA). Other
state and local incentives may be available in your area as well.
Another aspect that can help with the cost of a solar panel
system isnet metering, which is a process available in some states
where you can sell excess energy back to the power grid.
Home Battery System
The Tesla Powerwall is an integrated battery system
that can store your solar energy. Since it became avail-
able, the Tesla Powerwall has become one of the-
best solar batteries with a top solar warranty.
If you live in a high solar-producing state, it's nice to
have a solar battery to store excess energy, although it is
not a prerequisite to owning a home solar panel system.
Once your solar panels have absorbed energy from the
sun and your system has converted it into usable energy,
your solar battery allows you to store that electricity.
The size of your home and the number of appliances you
are running will affect how long the Tesla Powerwall battery
can maintain power in your home during a power outage. The
Tesla Powerwall can store up to 13.5 kWh of backup power.
According to Tesla, "An average home uses approximate-
ly 25 kWh of energy per day. A small home may use as little
as 10 kWh and a large home may use 40 kWh or more per
day." Using the Tesla app to prioritize and track your pow-
er usage can help prolong the Powerwall's energy output.
Tesla is known for its electric vehicles, but the compa-
ny also creates other renewable energy systems, including
monocrystalline solar panels,solar inverters, and solar bat-
teries. The Powerwall battery can help reduce your de-
pendence on the traditional electricity grid and give you
coverage for power outages in 2022 and beyond.
2022 Tax Credits
Your purchase of a Tesla residential solar system is eligible for
the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Using this tax
credit, a consumer can currently receive 26% of their solar
system purchase back through credits on their annual taxes.
This tax credit can apply to your entire Tesla solar system
purchase in 2022, including the Powerwall. Given the price of
Tesla's systems, you could expect to save more than $9,000
with the tax credit. In addition to the federal tax credit, some
state and local governments also have incentives in place to
help people lower the total cost of a solar panel purchase.
When you purchase your Tesla home solar panel system, you'll
be able to choose between two different Powerwall models: the
Powerwall and the Powerwall+. According to Tesla.com,"A
Powerwall+ contains additional features focusing on solar integra-
tion that enable cleaner installations with less equipment." You can
also combine multiple Powerwalls for additional solar energy stor-
age. While the Powerwall is compatible with other solar systems.
Here are some important features:
Battery capacity: Both the Powerwall and Powerwall+
have an energy capacity of 13.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh). This
capacity is above average for a solar battery, which means
it allows you to store more energy than many of its com-
petitors. This factor is important, as it means you'll be able
to better power your home when the sun isn't shining.
Warranty: Most solar batteries come with a warranty that
guarantees their effectiveness for a certain number of years.
Both the Powerwall warranty and Powerwall+have a 10-year
warranty. During that time, Tesla promises that your battery
will be free from defects and will maintain no less than 70
percent of its 13.5 kWh energy capacity. If there's a problem,
Tesla will either repair, replace, or refund your Powerwall.
Depth of discharge (DoD): The DoD of a solar battery
refers to the amount of energy you can draw before impacting
its lifespan. In most solar batteries, the DoD is less than 100
percent. But the Powerwall and Powerwall+ both have an im-
pressive 100 percent DoD, meaning you can use the full amount
of stored energy without shortening your battery's lifespan.
Round-trip efficiency: The round-trip efficiency of a bat-
tery describes how efficiently it runs during one cycle. Round
trip efficiency is a percentage that describes how much of the
power in the battery you can draw versus how much is need-
ed to run the battery. The average solar battery efficiency is
between 70–80 percent, but the Powerwall has an efficiency of
90 percent, meaning you can use more of the stored energy.
Battery type: There are several types of solar batteries
on the market, including lead-acid, lithium-ion, lithium-polymer,
deep-cycle, saltwater, and solar gel. The Tesla Powerwall is a
lithium-ion battery, which is a newer type of battery that often
has a longer DoD, longer lifespan, and lower maintenance.
Compatibility: The Powerwall (not the Powerwall+) is com-
patible with several existing solar systems, including the "SMA,
SolarEdge, Fronius, Enphase micro inverter, Delta, and ABB,"
according to Tesla. Tesla does not sell the Powerwall or
Powerwall+ separately, however, you can purchase a Powerwall
from a third-party retailer.
Lisa Iscrupe is a writer and editor who specializes in energy, the
deregulated electricity market, and solar power. Her work has been
referenced by CNN, The Daily MBA, The Media Bulletin, and other
national sources.Follow her at Twitter at @lisaiscrupe. This article first
appeared on www.saveonenergy.com.
