Key specifications
- Usable capacity
- 13.5 kWh
- Continuous output
- 11.5 kW on-grid / 11.5 kW backup
- Peak / surge capability
- Motor-start capability rated to 185 LRA
- Maximum continuous charge power
- 5.0 kW per full unit
- Battery chemistry
- See Tesla current technical documentation
- System architecture
- Integrated solar inverter; can also be added to existing solar
- Warranty
- 10-year limited warranty
- Scalability
- Expansion available; up to 40.5 kWh additional energy capacity per Powerwall 3 unit
Charging-power context
Powerwall 3 itself is rated for 5 kW maximum continuous AC charge power. Tesla lists 8 kW for one Powerwall 3 with up to three Expansion units, so expansion-based systems should use the manual system charge-limit override instead of simple per-unit scaling.
Charge-limit source reviewed: 2026-08-29. The outage planner keeps the total system charge limit editable because expansion packs and multi-battery architectures do not always scale as a simple per-unit multiplication.
What stands out
- Integrated solar inverter with six solar inputs and MPPTs.
- Designed for whole-home backup and solar self-consumption.
- Tesla lists 97.5% solar-to-grid inverter efficiency.
Before choosing a battery
Check which loads you want to back up, their starting power, expected outage duration, utility time-of-use rates, export compensation and how quickly the battery can recharge from available solar. Installed battery cost also depends on service equipment, controller/gateway hardware and electrical work.
The Battery Quote Calculator starts with a blank price field and uses only the installer package total you enter. Outage links preserve verified catalog charge-limit provenance when available. Multi-unit and expansion architectures still require manufacturer and installer verification.