Tesla Powerwall II Vs Generac PWRcell 

Best video I have seen to explain all the pros and cons. Good to know info for rural and semi-rural homes.

Great food for thought! Looks like photo finish for Tesla, Generac (and Enphase). Looking forward to comparison of all 3. THX!

Thank you for the comparison. I went with the Generac Pwrcell system. Overall, been very pleased.

Everyone wins with competition.

The best information I have found anywhere! Thank you for converting the energy language to real world use!

Professional presentation, very informative. Looking forward to deeper-dive comparisons.

The one thing you didn’t mention-in none of your videos is the app monitoring of your solar and battery levels. Also when an upcoming storm is coming the powerwall preps the battery for that possible weather problem. That’s the ultimate X Factor worth 2 points on its own.

This review helped me decide on getting the Tesla power wall. Thanks!

Another excellent presentation, thank you for sharing

Good information but you stopped short: what are the detailed costs of the products and the final cost with installation? Can they feed power back to the grid? How would that work? What safety features are integrated into these systems ?

I'm just moved into a home with solar and doing some initial research on battery backup. Thanks for this informative video.

I think you could award an additional point to the PowerCell for efficiency. As you mentioned the Power Wall is a A/C coupled battery. The PowerCell is not. What that means; the inverter does not have to convert DC to AC to charge the battery. That means faster charging times using less power. That can be crucial in a cloudy environment or during a hurricane or storm front. The DC to AC conversion only happens when you draw from the battery.

Great presentation ! Nicely done.

You do such a fantastic job at the presentation aspect that your product knowledge is unmatched! Your professional demeanor lends so much integrity to your overall production value! Outstanding effort!!

I think you need to explore the single vs. dual inverter aspect of the batteries as well.

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the great analysis

Very helpful comparison! Thank you very much.

Researching solar plus battery to do this year. Thanks for the info! Planning one solar on roof plus one battery just to run refrigerator and other critical components during outage.

You did a great job reviewing the 2 companies. I do the TSLA over all has more to offer with its app. I'm bias I own stock in TSLA and have a friend that spend a fortune on Generic

Thanks for sharing.

Great information, I am planning to go into solar with my construction company. I see some good things here

Good information - Thank you

Well done!

Great comparison! I think I'd personally go for the Tesla Powerwalls but it's nice to know that there's an alternative.

Great review. Thank you

Good review, I will be forwarding on. I just wanted to mention that the Tesla Powerwalls can stack up to 6 units. At least that is what it says in the quote I just did. Again. You helped bring to light good points for both. Helped me decide to go with Tesla. Although the case you made for the Generac was compelling.

Outstanding video man thank you!

Very informative !

I currently power all of my critical systems in my rural home with a 7.5kw gas generator when the power's out. This includes well pump, boiler, water heaters, fridge, two 9 cu ft freezers, along with many non-critical items like internet, tv, and lights. The generac pwrcell 9kw should be more than enough for most homes. I'd say buying the 18kw of power would enable you to live completely off the grid when mixed with solar panels.

Thanks for a very interesting comparison

Well done

This video is very informative!

Great video

Great comparrison

Thanks for the informative video! It seems like the Generac system has easily replaceable batteries which is a big positive point for me. Batteries begin to degrade from the day they are produced so it is not a matter of if you will have to replace the batteries, it is just a matter of when. Can you replace the batteries in a Powerwall, and how does that compare with battery replacement on a Generac cabinet? This difference in serviceability may offset the cost issue because if you have to replace the entire Powerwall when the batteries fail, in the long run the Generac system may be a better value because it can be easily brought back to 100% for much less cost than a new unit. I feel that repair is often overlooked as an eco friendly option, if you can keep equipment working longer it reduces overall consumption.

One other major advantage to Generac its also rated for outdoor. The one negative is the inverter requires a hard wired ethernet connection. Could be tricky if you put it outside and have to run cable a long distance

Great explanations as always, I do believe you should include the life expectancy given the usaable DOD, Operating temps etc, so that the audience also has such information and the fact of replacing batteries every 5-7 years does not come as surprise!

Helpful.

Great video. Wish you were in my area to install.

Thanks for another great video! I’m a Tesla car owner and love it. However, I’m now quite dissatisfied with Tesla’s new business plan where you can’t just add a Powerwall to your existing system, or in my case a new DIY system I’m designing for my new FL home. I was in a chat session with Tesla and was told I would have to have Tesla come out and install a minimum of 10 panels for them to put in a Powerwall for me. Deal breaker for sure! As I was without power for 22 days after hurricane Michael, I need a system that can handle a whole home backup (A/C unit and well pump included), which is driving me toward the Generac PowerCell for short 1 to 2 day outages and a generator to recharge the batteries in case of prolonged overcast weather or storm damage to the solar system. As I’m still in the design phase and this is a DIY project, I was leaning toward micro-inverters, but with the Generac system, it appears I’d need to go with DC optimizers, correct? I’ll contact Sola Surge to get some additional info and possibly quotes for portions of the project I might need installer help with. Thanks again, Tim

Outstanding

Very informative! Will definitively explore both options.

Thanks ... that was helpful

With the price of the Powercell, you can buy 2 Tesla Powerwalls... and have 28 kwh capacity and 10k continuous watt draw plus 60 amp capacity to start heavy loads..

I would have liked some idea how much each unit would cost. Thank you

great informative video

What I would like to see when doing comparisons with price would be to choose a minimum specification and price the minimum system with those specs. For example if you decide you need 20kwh and 7kw to power your test home. You'd need 2 powerwall 2's or a generac system with maybe 2 cabinets if that's even possible? That way you can compare all your batteries the same.

Nice vid.....just subscribed. The RU-vid algorithm is scary accurate about me.

Very well done presentation thank you. I live off grid in Alaska and have several months with very low light levels for solar panels. You wouldn't happen to have a series on setting up a complete off grid system with generator, AGS, efficient use of generator to recharge batteries with minimizing power loss, as well as any possible turn key systems out there would you?

Subscribed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I learned a lot. Very good presentation.

Generac also has their PWRGenerator that can work along side the solar & battery using LP or Natural Gas to supplement in cases where the batteries and solar don't produce enough (so, even more security during a power outage).

Your'e giving the generic Powerwall an extra plus for the ability to put more baterie's into it. But if you put more batteries in the system you also can add an other Powerwall to the Tesla system. Up to 7.

great vid

One thing to keep in mind is that if you have two Powerwalls, you double the amount of maximum output power that the system is capable of outputting. So with two powerwalls, you can get 10 kW continuous and 14 kW peak power out of the system.

If someone has no solar panels and were to install a solar+battery system from scratch - how would the prices of the 2 products compare (including installation etc)? Are both the products compatible with all types of homes?

What about the Tesla powerwall 2 plus they upgraded can you update the specs or do a update video on the different between the 2 hole home system please Thanks

Question I want to use this in my rv with solar and a generator. In place of the house battery in the rv using the 12v alt as the engine is running on a rv inverter to charge while driving!

Thanks for the presentation. The Generac system is more flexible for users with future needs, such as adding a hybrid of EV. In northern CA, i have a quote for $11,000 to install a four module, 12kwh panel. Adding 3kwh modules in the future would cost approximately $2500 each. And users can add Generac panels - not sure how many. If I buy what I can use now (i.e. 3-4 3kwh modules), then I receive the federal tax credit for most of the battery cost and adding additional battery capacity (2-3 more modules) in the future is less impactful on the wallet vs having to purchase a whole new Tesla panel (which might not be available given the current 'no solo buy" policy). Remember that the batteries only dispense 90% of capacity.

Good afternoon, I'm a little stress, my gateway cover glass shattered. Is there anyway I can order just the door by it self Follow up question, I'm trying to install a mini split unit. I want the unit to run on solar. However where it's being installed there no electrical output (240v) only the Meter box. Where can this be installed so the AC Unit can run on solar

Great Overview! I'm wondering about upgradability for Tesla Powerwall 2.. Our home has 2 units with ≈6.5kWh solar. System works great, but we're thinking of adding electric car next year.

Hi, great presentation. I was wondering if you could give a presentation on what it would take to backup a home with 200AMP load center, say 5 ton central air and one pump (pool or sump) for a 24hr using Solar. I know there are many variables to consider but in general. Thank you!!

This is very informative. Thanks. There is one thing I would like to add: customer service. Generac has gotten very negative review on this regard.

Can I have one of these on my house without having a solar panel system? I’m just looking to have some stored power for storm caused power outages? I’m hoping to just charge it from the grid and use it if the grid goes out

thank you for the great info, what's your take on air batteries? We have a company up here testing air batteries that are about the size of a garden shed. Just can't find any good info on them.

I currently have solar, I think the Tesla option will work for me. My power panel is on the outside of my home. Will the installation be connected to current solar system?

Question about being off grid. How do these compare when adding more capacity than one cabinet can provide. I believe the Powerwall is additive, but I do not know if the PowerCell can be expanded beyond the one cabinet or adding more inversion.

Great channel, thank you. When doing the $ comparison, can you please specify if you are comparing as a Price/KWh or if it is as a total price of ownership (cost of product - regardless of capacity + cost of install).

This winter in Texas I was 42 hours w/o power and virtually no sun for solar. 3.5kW of portable heaters was barely enough to keep my house from freezing and maxed out my generator. In many climates keeping at least part of a home at a safe temperature is critical. It is important to consider that in your power budget. Power seldom fails on a nice Spring day.

Awesome job!

Very informative!! Thnx

You need to give cost numbers even if it was at time of recording. The generac would need to be presented with two cost numbers because of the initial base cost and the expansion cost.

Really good comparison!

great video .., with the powerwall setup according to your video i wouldn't need solar panels ?

Nice vid;. PW does have the gateway as a second component, not a big deal just mentioning.

Can you back up a solar battery like that with the power w/o the panels?

What is you setup 2 Powerwall 2 batteries? Does the power load scale efficiently or are you still limited to 5kwh continuous?

Clarification please, in a Grid down scenario, what battery systems work best with the Solar panels, I understood that power wall did not and the envoy did. I think I am mistaken on that point.

How does the generac system perform in terms of of stacking? I’ve installed a few of these systems years ago when it was called Pika. It was brand new at the time. I’m certain we were the first in the state to install it. I think the serial number on the first one I had my hands on was 0006 or something close to that. A single system worked great but if there were multiple it was a nightmare. I’m just wondering if they’ve figured out the hiccups since Generac bought them.

The generac system can run the house of solar power (in case of grid loss) and will only tap into the battery if the PV power no longer is able to provide the energy draw from the loads. I would have given the pwrcell one more x-factor point for that. The inverter has 4 DC bus'es to hookup, so you can actually have 3 battery cabinets hooked up and the 4th for PV input (which would be underrated compared to storage size). I think a balanced system would have 2 battery cabinets & 2 PV strings with optimizers. Not the cheapest solution, but pretty flexible imo

What can you tell us about Duracell's Energy Bank?

You should do another comparison with PowerWall 2 updated firmware. I have 2 Powerwalls and I'm very happy. I also have 2 AC units and can run them at the same time.

Lots of people reporting the Islanding Overload fault with the PWRCELL. In places were voltage fluctuations is common, the PWRCELL enters into fault mode and shutdown instead of interpreting the fluctuations as a grid failure to activate battery backup.

Super helpful and useful. I live in Dallas, and although I did not lose power during Icepocalypse 2021, I am extremely paranoid about ERCOT's complete inability to ensure Electricty Reliablity, I have been hemming and hawing about getting a battery backup for my existing (SolarCity, now Tesla) rooftop solar panels. I *think* Tesla is refusing to install PowerWalls for anyone other than Tesla customers, but I'm not sure, and even if they are, I'm not sure if they're refusing to install them for existing customers (versus only installing them on new systems). However, living in Dallas...central AC is not a luxury, it's an absolute REQUIREMENT, so that additional surge power is a necessity. I can go without a lot of stuff, or work around a lot of things, but a temperature at which I'm not going to die is not one of them. [My AC went out several years ago, and it was literally cooler in the garage than it was in the house. I ended up filling the tub with what passes for cold water in Texas (sometimes in summer the "cold' water is actually higher temperature than the 'hot' water...) and sitting in the tub for the several hours until it got repaired. It was horrible. And I don't have a pool.] Thank you for the information!

I didn’t see you you cover one of the big advantages of the generac system is you can add a standby generator to charge batteries.

Comparison with maxing the PWR cell and double the Powerwall ?

I live rural and am completely off grid. Would you recommend the Generac for off grid homes?

I have an array with Older SunPower 230W modules, POSITIVE GROUND. I’d like to add a battery backup. Do you know of an inverter I can use with these positively grounded modules? If so, would Tesla or general be better than the other? Thanks for your videos!

Would you do a video on Sol-Ark vs Tesla inverter and Home Grid Stack'd Battery vs Tesla Battery?

But what about the other factors like the dollar panels themselves? Are they included in this setup or is that a whole issue? What if the power goes out with 3. 4 or 5 days of heavy overcast skies?

My question is if i have a grid tie enphase System for example And i add either tesla powerwall or generac can my enphase gride tie system tie up to either inverter? Something i find super interesting about generac it says i can add up to 36kwh storage to only 1 inverter i think that in itself plus the continuous power rating beats out tesla Can generac be charged while house is running straight off of solar? Not sure if i missed that point Currently thinking of adding enphase solar myself then add a generac system was gonna do two powerwalls but the expandability of generac caught my attention Im still learning the lingo newbie solar guy here

Are these 2 units high voltage or low voltage? The reason why is because I have a high voltage system. My array is set up to deliver 450-550 dvac . I have a LG battery that is high voltage. I need more backup power or battery power to run my air-conditioning unit. I know that I need to add 4 more panels but my biggest problem is battery sizing for a full off grid system and using the grid as a backup only. My question is can Generac a high voltage battery ? And can it be setup to handle high voltage from my solar panels?

Can we have more information on how you're comparing these systems. Are you always comparing the cheapest(lowest capacity) configurations or attempting to make them comparable? The reason I ask is, can you pull 9kw from the 9 kwh battery with the generac system? I assume you can since the batteries are separate from the inverter but if you did wouldn't that harm the batteries by doing that?

What about something like in floor radiant heating systems? Could I just install additional batteries?

Good presentation. I think one X-Factor not considered with the Powerwall is the integration with the Tesla Eco-System. If you have a Tesla vehicle, you have one App to control both the car and PW. With a Tesla High-Powerwall wall-charger you have additional integration. For example you can set the unit not to charge your Tesla car during a power outage. For example if you lose power during the middle of the night when you normally charge your car, you wouldn't wake-up to a possibly drained battery system because the system charged your car while the power was out.

Great great video. Can you install either without a solar system? Simply as a backup unit similar to a standby generac gas powered generator? Or perhaps a small solar panel just to keep it powered? Thanks

10 year Warranty, full replacement or limited?

I know that the Powerwall can be stacked to 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Can the PWRcell do the same or does it cap out at 18kw in one box?

I have a general question. At night when the solar panels are no longer producing power, does the battery kick in or do you have to draw power from the grid. A/C is my biggest concern. I live in the desert. Thank you.