Tesla
Tesla Powerwall 3
Highest continuous output in this set (11.5 kW) plus an integrated solar inverter, which simplifies new installs but is redundant hardware on a pure retrofit.
13.5 kWh
Usable capacity
11.5 kW
Continuous output
90%
Round-trip efficiency
10 yrs
Warranty
Full Specifications
- Brand
- Tesla
- Model
- Powerwall 3
- Chemistry
- LFP (LiFePO4)
- Usable Capacity
- 13.5 kWh
- Continuous Output
- 11.5 kW
- Round-trip Efficiency
- 90%
- Warranty
- 10 years
- Coupling
- integrated-inverter
- Retrofit-friendly
- Yes
10-year warranty. Integrated solar inverter (97.5% inverter efficiency per our equipment database).
Installed Cost (2026)
Low
$9,450
$700/kWh
Typical
$13,473
$998/kWh
High
$17,550
$1300/kWh
Estimated from our installed-cost tiers ($700/$1,000/$1,300 per kWh of usable capacity; EnergySage marketplace quotes ran $342-$3,505/kWh across the ten most-quoted brands in H1 2026), anchored by the $13,473 ($998/kWh) Powerwall 3 marketplace figure. Turn-key installed figures: equipment, labor, permitting, and installer margin.
Lease vs Buy After the Federal Credit Expired
The residential 25D credit expired December 31, 2025, so buying a Powerwall 3 outright in 2026 earns $0 federal credit. The commercial 48E credit only covers third-party-owned projects that started construction before July 4, 2026 (rolled to Monday July 6 under IRC 7503) - that deadline has passed. That is exactly why Tesla's lease pricing matters.
Tesla Electric TX battery-only lease
$35/month
Two Powerwall 3 units, $35/month, zero install cost, bundled with a Tesla Electric fixed-rate retail plan. Texas only, via Tesla Electric (announced Aug 2026).
Standalone backup lease
$122/month
Two-Powerwall backup configuration without solar: $122/month first year (tesla.com/support/tesla-electric/backup-lease).
Compare: buying two units outright runs roughly $18,900-$35,100 installed at our tiers. Over 10 years, the $35/month bundled lease totals $4,200 - but it requires the Tesla Electric retail plan and Texas residency, and you never own the hardware. The $122/month standalone backup lease totals $14,640 over the same 10 years, close to outright purchase without ownership.
Adding It to Existing Solar
Works with existing solar as an AC-coupled retrofit; because it ships with an integrated solar inverter, that inverter is unused (and unpaid-for value) unless you add new panel strings. See our retrofit guide.
Coupling type: integrated-inverter. An integrated-inverter battery brings its own PV inverter - ideal for new installs, redundant on a retrofit where your existing inverter keeps running.
Read the full retrofit guideState Incentives Are Still Live
With the federal credit gone, state programs matter more: CA SGIP, MA SMART/ConnectedSolutions, the Illinois rebate, and NC PowerPair ($400/kWh) all still pay for home batteries.
Battery rebates by stateFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a Tesla Powerwall 3 cost installed?
What is the Tesla Powerwall 3 warranty?
Can I add a Tesla Powerwall 3 to my existing solar system?
Does the Tesla Powerwall 3 still qualify for a federal tax credit in 2026?
Is the $35/month Tesla Powerwall lease real?
How many Tesla Powerwall 3 units do I need?
Compare Other Home Batteries
Sources: Specs: Tesla data sheet + our equipment database + calculator data (round-trip 0.90). Installed anchor $13,473 ($998/kWh) from EnergySage July 2026 marketplace data ($342-$3,505/kWh across the ten most-quoted brands, H1 2026); range from our installed-cost tiers ($700-$1,300/kWh x 13.5 kWh). Specs last verified 2026-08-27.