With hot, humid summers and bitter cold winters, New England has weathered its share of both thunderstorms and nor’easters. Often, extreme weather leaves homeowners vulnerable to power outages. Although solar panels grant homeowners greater independence from utility companies, grid-tied solar systems are shut off during power outages to ensure the safety of line workers. Battery storage offers a solution, and with Tesla Powerwall, there are added technologies that secure homeowners from storms.
Tesla Software Updates
When Tesla upgrades features on Powerwall, they automatically update customers’ systems with the improved programs. Notable among these updates is the Storm Watch mode, which Tesla first introduced in 2018 and is now available for all Powerwall owners. That means that even if you have an older version of Powerwall, you can still take advantage of Storm Watch. With Storm Watch enabled, Powerwall continuously checks s weather forecasts via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). When the system detects a storm coming, it will automatically switch modes to “Backup Only” and will be exclusively discharged in the event of a power outage.
Automatic Power Outage Protection
Before Tesla added Storm Watch mode to Powerwall, users still had the ability to protect their homes against power outages, but the process was manual. On a daily basis, most customers are not using the “Backup Only” mode. Instead, they are using modes which store their solar production to be used at night or to store energy from the grid to use during peak pricing. With their Tesla apps, users manage their systems and choose whether they wants to store excess power or send it back to the grid. They would then have to manually switch the mode to save power before an approaching storm. This cumbersome process was the difference between a charged Powerwall and customers left in the dark during a storm. If you were not home or simply forgot to adjust the system, then you wouldn’t have any power reserved in the event of an outage. Storm Watch fixed that. The technology streamlined the process, making it effortless for solar owners to retain power in advance of a storm.
Tom Fallon of Salisbury, Massachusetts is experiencing firsthand the benefits that solar plus storage can provide. In 2014, Tom installed solar panels on his property. He didn’t originally choose us to set up his system, but, when he began experiencing issues with his SunEdison panels, a brand that is out of business now, he learned that his original solar contractor had also run out of business. He reached out to us to service his panels and, after discovering we are a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer, eventually decided to invest in two Powerwalls to complement his solar array.
Tom’s Powerwalls energize his home through the night and help him earn hundreds of dollars per quarter from the solar and storage incentives, but in his eyes, one of the best perks is the Storm Watch feature. Now, he doesn’t even realize when the power goes out in his neighborhood. He doesn’t even have to think about switching his system into “Backup Only” mode, and, unlike clunky, traditional gas generators, which pause and check on the system before turning on, Tom’s Powerwalls silently flip on within milliseconds.
Additionally, by powering his home with Powerwalls instead of conventional backup generators, Tom is able to save money because the systems don’t use costly gasoline, propane, or natural gas, and don’t require excessive maintenance. With solar on the roof and Tesla Powerwall systems inside, his home is entirely self-powered by reliable, clean electricity.
Let’s Build Your Power House
Our team is dedicated to transitioning your household or business toward energy independence. Contact us to secure your peace of mind and build your resilience in the face of storms.