Top 3 Best Tesla Powerwall Alternatives (2024 Solar Battery Guide)

Why Is Tesla Powerwall the Name Brand in Solar Batteries?

Why is Powerwall the first and often only product that comes to mind when discussing solar batteries? There are a few probable reasons for this.

First off, Tesla is a massive tech company with a market capitalization of more than $500 billion. That kind of money means a lot of advertising and marketing, which puts the company name and the product name in front of more property owners.

Second, Tesla is known for its innovation. While the Powerwall certainly wasn’t the first solar battery to hit the market, it was the most impressive when it did. The battery itself was sleek and modern, the capacity was a then-impressive 6.4 kilowatts (kW), and you could link up to 10 Powerwalls together. This was and still is technology that is missing from many competitors.

As such, Tesla had a decent head start in the solar battery market. We’ve seen something similar in the electric vehicles (EVs) the company has produced. Tesla wasn’t the first EV to hit the road, but it was the most impressive at the time, with the longest range, the sleekest appearance, the most luxury features and the fastest acceleration. Other EVs are now giving Tesla a run for its money but are struggling to become household names like Tesla has.

Finally, the Powerwall is a great product, so it’s not all marketing and hype. There are a few things about Tesla’s home battery that stand out from the competition, including the following:

• It has an above-average per-battery capacity: A single Powerwall+ has a capacity of 13.5 kW, while the industry average is closer to 10 kW. That means you get more storage for your money, and there’s a chance you’ll pay less overall per kW of storage than you would with other battery options.

• It can be linked with other Powerwalls: An important feature that a lot of batteries lack is the ability to create a large power bank to keep your home powered off-grid for many days or even weeks at a time. You can link up to 10 Powerwalls together, while many solar batteries only function as standalone options and others allow you to link just a few batteries. The ability to maintain power through lengthy blackouts or emergency conditions provides peace of mind that other batteries might not.

• It includes an islanding inverter: A lot of alternatives require that you purchase a solar inverter separately, but Tesla builds one into each Powerwall. Not only will you not have to spend extra on additional components, but the islanding inverter lets you continue to charge your batteries with your solar panels or solar roof even in blackout conditions. Other inverter options might prevent recharging to keep line workers safe from electric shock. The result is that an undersized Powerwall system could keep your home powered indefinitely, provided your panels can recharge faster than your energy usage rate. Other batteries might only provide a day or two of power, depending on the usable capacity and your energy needs.

• It has some impressive features: As a tech company, it should come as no surprise that Tesla’s solar battery provides a streamlined and seamless user experience. It has a free mobile app that lets you track production, consumption and battery life all in one place. It features Storm Watch, which pre-charges your batteries if a severe storm is coming to your area. The Powerwall also automatically takes over in the event of a blackout to keep your home powered with no interruptions.

This is not to say that the Powerwall is the be-all-end-all of solar batteries. In fact, there are plenty of things that solar customers don’t love about the Powerwall.

Where Does the Tesla Powerwall Fall Short?

There are a few things that the Powerwall could do better, and if you’re considering an alternative, we recommend you look at the below specs in other energy storage solutions.

• Price: Tesla solar products are all quite expensive. The installation costs for the Powerwall Plus average around $11,500, while some alternatives are a few thousand dollars cheaper. For example, the Enphase Encharge battery costs just $5,000 at the lowest usable capacity.

• Per-battery capacity: Each Powerwall Plus has a capacity of 13.5 kW, which means customization for your energy storage system is limited. Any additional storage you want will demand another Powerwall, which means an additional $11,500. Some other batteries are modular and can come in a few different sizes to allow for a more customized electric generator setup suited specifically to your home.

• Continuous power rating: Batteries with a higher continuous power rating can discharge more rapidly without sustaining damage. That means you can more likely run multiple large appliances at once without worrying about your backup system’s longevity.

• Battery type: Lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries are both options for storing your renewable energy at home, although lithium-ion batteries are more efficient and hold more power. There are two primary types of lithium-ion batteries used in solar energy storage solutions: LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate, or LFP) and those using nickel, magnesium, and cobalt (NMC). The Powerwall is an NMC battery, which is less stable than an LFP battery. That means temperature fluctuations and varying conditions can have a greater effect on battery lifespan and performance. Ultimately, LFP batteries are more reliable.

• Lead time: Since Tesla Powerwalls are in such high demand across the solar industry, many customers have lead times of three to six months for installation. Many other batteries are in stock and ready to be installed alongside your panels.

Compare the Tesla Powerwall vs Our Recommended Alternatives

The table below includes a quick look at how the Powerwall battery stacks up against our top recommendations for Tesla solar battery alternatives. In the following sections, we’ll talk about each of these options in greater depth and explain in which areas these products outperform or are more appealing than the Powerwall.

Tesla Powerwall Alternative 1: SunPower SunVault

The SunVault system is made by SunPower, the leading panel manufacturer in the U.S. This home battery bank has a greater potential capacity than the Powerwall and a higher continuous power output. That means it’s ideal for homes with above-average energy consumption that Tesla’s products can’t handle.

If you pair it with a Hub+ smart home system from SunPower, you can maintain total control over individual electronics during a blackout to conserve power for essential items in your home; this is another feature the Powerwall lacks, and it’s only available in a few other options, like the Generac PWRcell, which uses smart battery modules to achieve the same end result.

The table below provides a quick look at how the SunVault compares to the Powerwall+ using our grading system for battery pack specifications.

Both the Tesla Powerwall and the SunPower SunVault are great options for residential solar batteries. Both batteries have a good capacity, and while the SunVault comes in larger options, you can link more Powerwalls together for a higher capacity. As such, both batteries are suitable for providing power for long periods of time.

Additionally, both options have some of the highest continuous power ratings in the industry, which means these are probably the best options for you if you have a high rate of consumption in your home and want your battery to be able to keep up with your normal demand.

Areas Where the SunPower SunVault Beats the Powerwall

There are a few places where the SunVault outperforms the Powerwall, which means it could be the better option for you overall. These include the following:

• Single battery capacity: The SunVault comes in a 13 kW version or a 26 kW version, the latter of which is about double the size of a Powerwall. It’s worth mentioning that you have options with the SunPower battery, although you could just as easily pair up two Powerwalls for a similar capacity.

• Continuous power rating: The SunVault is the only major-name brand solar battery that outperforms the Powerwall in terms of how much power it can output at once without any severe degradation—6.8 kW as opposed to 5.8 kW. The SunVault is, therefore, a better option than the Powerwall in terms of sheer power, and it’s better suited for homes that want to continue high consumption even when not grid-tied.

• Availability: One of the primary issues with the Powerwall is the lead time, which is often around six months. There have been no reported wait times for the SunVault, so you should be able to get one installed alongside your panels.

• Customization options: SunPower offers the Hub+, which gives you total control over the energy consumption in your home when paired with a SunVault. You can choose which areas or appliances in your home maintain power during a blackout, so you automatically conserve and use only what you need. Tesla has some cool features, but it lacks add-ons like this.

Areas Where the Powerwall Beats the SunVault

Tesla’s battery also outshines the SunVault in a few areas, including the following:

• Round-trip efficiency: Round-trip efficiency refers to the percentage of the energy flowing into the battery that is “recovered” or “usable,” so the higher the round-trip efficiency, the less solar energy it will take to charge your battery. Tesla has a pretty impressive rating of 90%, and while it’s not the best in the industry, it is a little better than the 85% you get from the SunVault. This means your battery will be a little more efficient, so it will take less time to charge fully, and it will charge faster during a blackout, reducing the risk of running out of power.

• Features: As the product of one of the largest tech companies in the world, the Powerwall has some impressive features. Storm Watch is a particularly intriguing feature, which keeps your home automatically prepared for storms in your area by charging your battery before there’s even a risk of a blackout. The Tesla app also gives you control over how and when your battery discharges, so you can maximize your energy savings if you live in an area with time-of-use rates or don’t have access to net metering.

• Overall value (price per kW): The SunVault is one of the most expensive batteries on the market, despite having about the same capacity as the Powerwall. You’ll pay more per kW of battery storage for the SunVault, plus you get a lower round-trip efficiency, effectively making the Powerwall an even more appealing option in terms of value.

Who Is the SunVault Best Suited For?

Since the SunVault has the highest continuous power rating available at a massive 6.8 kW, this battery is ideal for homeowners who have high energy demands and want no interruptions to their consumption. With a power rating that high, you could more or less run most of your appliances at once without any issues or damage to your battery.

This battery is also a great option for solar customers who want access to add-on products, like the Hub+, which gives you complete control over how the energy in your battery is used.

Tesla Powerwall Alternative 2: Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an EV pick-up truck, and it’s revolutionary in the auto industry because Ford built in the ability to provide backup energy to your home from the onboard battery. It’s one of the largest solar batteries on the market, so it can provide power for longer than most other options, and, most importantly, it also functions as an EV. The Ford app gives you control over how and when power flows to and from your truck, making it one of the most versatile backup options in the industry.

The table below includes some information about how the Lightning compares to Tesla’s battery.

The Powerwall and the Ford F-150 Lightning are both outstanding options if you’re looking for a high-capacity battery storage system. Powerwalls can be linked together to improve capacity, and while you can’t link multiple EVs together to power your home, the F-150 has the highest single-battery capacity available.

Both options also have the two lowest costs per kW of the batteries we’ve looked at, so the overall value of these two can’t be beaten.

Watch Below: Learn about how an F-150 Lightning can supply backup power to your home and see it in action.

Areas Where the Ford F-150 Lightning Beats the Powerwall

The F-150 EV outperforms the Powerwall in a few areas, which we’ll discuss below.

• Single battery capacity: The F-150 comes in two battery sizes—98 kW and 131 kW—the larger of which is nearly ten times what you get with a Powerwall. As such, it’s the only battery that can match Tesla’s in terms of total potential capacity since you can link ten Powerwalls together to get 135 kW. These are the two best options if you’re just looking to maintain power for as long as possible during a power outage.

• Functionality: The Powerwall sits in your garage or outside your home and acts as an electric generator, which is enough for some people; the F-150 is an EV when it’s not powering your home, and a capable one at that. Provided you’re prepared for potential blackouts, the F-150 offers the same capabilities, plus it reduces your driving expenses, replaces your vehicle and helps you further reduce emissions and lower your carbon footprint. The F-150’s functionality as an EV makes it the most versatile solar battery available.

• Value: Although you’ll pay more for a single F-150 than you would for any other battery backup on the market, the cost per kW is still significantly lower than you’ll see with a Powerwall—$551 as opposed to $851. Considering the added functionality you get with the F-150, it’s even more of an appealing option in terms of value.

• Availability: The Ford F-150 Lightning is available new and used as of this writing, so you shouldn’t see lead times of six months or more as you do with Powerwalls. You will need to hire a solar installation company to install the home integration system, but there aren’t any reports of these being terribly backed up either.

Areas Where the Powerwall Beats the Ford F-150 Lightning

The F-150 Lightning certainly isn’t for everyone, so the Powerwall is a better option in some respects.

• Overall Power: The continuous power rating isn’t available for the F-150 Lightning, but it’s safe to assume that the Powerwall, which has one of the highest ratings in the industry, outperforms Ford’s EV here. We’d expect the Powerwall to be able to provide power to more appliances and electronics in your home at once, so it’s the better option if you want to use electricity as normal during blackout conditions without worrying about damaging your battery.

• Customization Options: While both batteries offer great functionality, the Powerwall comes out on top in terms of customization. You can buy any number of Powerwalls—up to ten—to customize your home power system to your home and your energy demands.

• Overall Price: The Powerwall might have a higher price per kW, but it also lets you purchase storage in 13.5 kW chunks. The Lightning locks you into one giant battery at a minimum of 98 kW. If you’re not looking for maximum storage, then the Powerwall is a cheaper option.

• Reliability: One downside to the Lightning is that if you’re not parked at home and plugged into your home integration system, you’ll lose power during a blackout. You can retroactively plug your truck in to act as a backup, but in many cases, it won’t be a seamless switch to off-grid power. The Powerwall is always there and ready to continue access to electricity at any point.

• Warranty: The Powerwall comes with a 10-year warranty that guarantees 70% of the original capacity will remain at the end of the warranty term. The F-150 only guarantees 70% will remain after eight years. As such, the Powerwall provides some additional peace of mind.

Who Is the Ford F-150 Lightning Best Suited For?

The F-150 Lightning might be the best solar battery option for you if you’re looking to purchase an EV, could use a large truck for business or personal use and don’t mind not having immediate access to backup power in some cases. It’s also great for solar customers looking for the lowest cost per kW for their battery system, especially since you can take the EV tax credit to bring down the effective cost per kW even further.

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Tesla Powerwall Alternative 3: Enphase Encharge

Enphase is a powerhouse in the solar industry, known mostly for its battery inverters and microinverters, as well as its solar monitoring software that integrates with its equipment. The Enphase Encharge is one of the cheapest battery options, with the smallest capacity coming in at less than half the price of the Powerwall+.

It also has a super impressive 96% round-trip efficiency—compared to Tesla’s 90% efficiency—meaning it charges more quickly on- and off-grid for reliable and sustainable power. This is one of the highest available from an AC-coupled battery. The DC-coupled Generac PWRcell has a slightly higher efficiency at 96.5%.

The table below includes our ratings for battery specifications for both the Powerwall+ and the Enphase Encharge.

The Powerwall and the Encharge are both great options for reliable power during blackouts. They both have a good total potential capacity, and they both include the industry standard in terms of a warranty, which is a guaranteed 70% capacity after 10 years. Plus, both options come from large companies in the solar industry, so we expect both to be available and be serviceable and upgradable in the future.

Areas Where the Enphase Encharge Beats the Powerwall

The Enphase Encharge is the better option in some respects, including the following:

• Customization options: While the Powerwall+ is only available in a single capacity—13.5 kW—the Enphase battery comes in multiple options ranging from 3.4 kW up to 10.5 kW. This is great because it gives you the option to get access to emergency backup only with a smaller capacity or choose the larger batteries and couple them together for a larger capacity. The total capacity available is lower, but you can tune your home solar storage to match your home and energy demands more readily with the smaller battery options.

• Availability: There are no reports of long wait times for the Enphase battery, so you should be able to have your panels and batteries installed in one day. That means your solar panel system will have maximum functionality from day one.

• Round-trip efficiency: The Encharge has one of the highest round-trip efficiency ratings available at 96%. This is far better than Tesla’s 90%, which means your battery system will recharge more quickly during a blackout, provided you have an islanding inverter. While the battery size is smaller, you could actually get more power out of your Enphase battery over time, given the faster recharge time.

Areas Where the Powerwall Beats the Enphase Encharge

The Powerwall has a slightly higher overall rating, in our opinion, as it outperforms the Encharge in a few areas:

• Total potential capacity: You can put up to 10 Powerwalls—Tesla Powerwalls, Tesla Powerwall 2 and Tesla Powerwall+—in series for a total capacity of 135 kW, but you can only put four Encharge 10 batteries in series for a total of 40 kW. Tesla is the clear winner if you’re looking for maximum storage to last as long as possible off-grid.

• Continuous power rating: Tesla’s continuous power rating of 5.8 kW is also far better than the 3.4 kW you get from the Enphase battery. You may struggle to run multiple appliances or electronics in your home off the Encharge, whereas the Powerwall should be able to handle just about anything you throw at it in blackout conditions.

• Price per kW: While Enphase batteries could be cheaper if you only want a small amount of battery power for emergencies, Tesla still offers a lower per-kW price—$851 compared to around $1,100, on average, for the Encharge. If you know you want a large capacity to last a long time off-grid, Powerwalls are the superior option.

• Functionality: Powerwalls also outshine the Encharge in terms of functionality and features. Things like Storm Watch and customized energy allocation are missing from Enphase’s battery, making the Powerwall the more impressive option from a technology standpoint.

Who Is the Enphase Encharge Best Suited For?

The Enphase Encharge is ideal for property owners who just want minimal backup power for emergencies. Although the cost per kW is higher than most other batteries, you have the option to install as little as 3.4 kW of storage for a total of around $6,000. This is the lowest barrier to entry into solar energy storage you’ll see from just about any company.

It’s also a great battery for solar customers who want their solar system to be as energy-efficient as possible. The Encharge has one of the highest round-trip efficiency ratings available, so you’ll be able to use more of the solar power you collect with this battery than you would with most others.

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Bottom Line: Which Solar Batteries Are Better Than the Tesla Powerwall?

Although the Powerwall+ is a phenomenal solar battery with outstanding functionality, a high total storage potential and a relatively low price per kW, there are other storage options available that you should be aware of when fitting your home for solar batteries.

Specifically, we think the SunPower SunVault and the Ford F-150 Lightning have better overall specifications and functionality than the Powerwall. The Enphase Encharge is also another great option to consider. These are all easy to tie into existing solar systems and provide excellent value for the money.

We’ve discussed which applications we think each of these options is best suited for, but of course, the Powerwall is the most popular battery for a reason. If you still think Tesla’s battery is best for you, click the button below to get a free quote for installation. If you think another battery option is best, you can scroll back up and click the corresponding button for a free estimate.

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Methodology: How We Evaluated the Tesla Powerwall Against Competing Solar Batteries

When we assess solar batteries like the Powerwall, we use a handful of metrics to rate and rank them to ensure we only recommend the best products available. Below, we’ll explain the key factors we looked at when reviewing the Powerwall so that you can see our process and why we think it’s a valuable option overall.

• Capacity (20%): First and foremost, we look at the storage capacity of the battery we’re reviewing. This is crucial because a greater capacity means more energy you can call on to power your home during a blackout. A greater capacity can also mean higher energy savings, particularly if you don’t have access to net metering and rely on your battery to offset electricity costs. The Powerwall+ has a capacity of 13.5 kW, which is significantly higher than the 8 kW industry standard.

• Price (20%): Cost will always be an important factor for solar customers, especially since the average battery will add more than $10,000 to your upfront costs. The Powerwall loses some points because the $11,500 price tag is much higher than the industry average of $7,500. However, the cost per kW is around 30% lower than the average and 100% lower than some of the most expensive batteries. As such, the overall value is quite good.

• Power & Performance (25%): How your battery performs in different conditions and over time has an impact on the overall value and how likely you are to be satisfied with your purchase. The Powerwall isn’t the most efficient, but it outperforms nearly every other solar battery available using other metrics, including depth of discharge and power output for providing the power you need in your home.

• Warranty (20%): Since solar batteries are quite expensive, we consider the warranty coverage you get—including the warranty term and the expected battery degradation over time—to assess the long-term value of your investment. The Powerwall has a slightly above-average rate of capacity loss, so it loses some points in this category. However, the warranty term is in line with the industry average.

• Availability (10%): The Powerwall is the most in-demand solar battery on the market right now, so it’s no surprise that there are long lead times, sometimes on the order of six months or more. As such, it lost some points compared to other batteries that are in-stock. We also consider whether a battery can be installed by DIYers and if it can be installed without having panels. The Powerwall isn’t available for DIY installations, but it can be installed retroactively and if you don’t have panels at all.

• Battery Type & Sustainability (5%): Finally, we look at the battery type and how sustainable the battery and the manufacturing company are altogether. The Powerwall is a lithium-ion battery, which is currently the most advanced and efficient technology available. The company also has great end-of-life recycling programs and has restructured its manufacturing plants to boost sustainability.

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.