Tesla Powerwall 3: specs, backup basics and the $400 referral discount
By ReferCharge. Updated 2026-10-30. Specs from Tesla's Powerwall page.
Powerwall 3 is Tesla's home battery with a built-in solar inverter, released in September 2023. Here are Tesla's published specs, what they mean for backup, and how the referral discount works when you order it with solar panels.
The referral discount applies to Solar Panels + Powerwall 3 orders.
Your referral link
Main linkOpen it before you start your order, then tap Order Now on Tesla's page and choose Solar Panels + Powerwall 3. Tesla's referral page shows $400 off for eligible Tesla-installed solar orders. Tesla decides eligibility and can change the discount.
Powerwall 3 specs
| Energy capacity | 13.5 kWh per unit, more with Powerwall 3 Expansion units or a Powershare-capable Model 3, Model Y or Cybertruck |
|---|---|
| On-grid power | 11.5 kW continuous |
| Backup power | 11.5 kW continuous, 185 LRA motor start, seamless backup transition |
| Solar inverter | Built in, 6 solar inputs with maximum power point trackers |
| Solar-to-grid efficiency | 97.5% |
| Expansion | Available any time, up to 40.5 kWh added per unit |
| Size | 43.5 x 24 x 7.6 in (H x W x D) |
| Weight | 287 lb |
| Operating range | -4°F to 122°F |
| Weather | Flood resistant up to 2 ft, dust resistant |
| Certification | Meets North American safety and EMI standards |
| Warranty | 10 years |
From Tesla's Powerwall page, checked 2026-10-30. Tesla's Powerwall 3 technical specifications have the full detail.
What 13.5 kWh and 11.5 kW mean
Capacity (13.5 kWh) is how much energy the battery holds, which decides how long backup lasts. Continuous power (11.5 kW) is how much it can deliver at once, which decides how many big appliances can run together. The 185 LRA figure is the surge rating for starting motors, such as an AC compressor.
Backup features Tesla lists
- Storm Watch: Powerwall charges itself to full when severe weather is forecast.
- Seamless backup: Tesla lists a seamless transition to stored energy when the grid goes down.
- Heat Mode: Powerwall heats itself to keep working in temperatures as low as -4°F.
- Charging from solar or the grid: it stores extra solar energy and can also recharge from the grid when prices are low.
- Whole-home backup: Tesla says one Powerwall 3 can power an entire home, including heating or AC.
Already drive a Tesla?
With Powershare, a compatible Model 3, Model Y or Cybertruck can connect to Powerwall and use its battery to extend your home backup during an outage, per Tesla. Tesla also lets you set the system to charge your car with excess solar energy. Sorting out the charger side? Read our home charging setup guide.
Powerwall 3 alone or with solar panels
Tesla's design page offers two choices: Solar Panels + Powerwall 3, or Powerwall 3 on its own. Because the solar inverter is built into Powerwall 3, the panels connect straight to it. For the referral discount the difference matters: Tesla's Refer and Earn page lists solar panels as the qualifying product, and its referral page shows $400 off Solar Panels & Powerwall. A Powerwall-only order is not on that list, so check whether the $400 appears before you place it.
How to order with the referral discount
- 1Open the referral link below before you start your order.
- 2Tap Order Now on Tesla's referral page. It opens Tesla's design page.
- 3Choose Solar Panels + Powerwall 3, enter your address and average electric bill, and order from there.
Tesla decides eligibility: the discount is for your first qualifying Tesla purchase, and energy products only count when Tesla installs them. All the referral rules.
Common questions
How much energy does Powerwall 3 store?
13.5 kWh per unit, per Tesla. Powerwall 3 Expansion units add capacity, up to 40.5 kWh per Powerwall 3, and a Powershare-capable Model 3, Model Y or Cybertruck can add its battery to home backup.
Can Powerwall 3 run my whole house?
Tesla says one Powerwall 3 can power an entire home, including heating or AC, with 11.5 kW of continuous power. How long it lasts depends on how much you use, and expansion units add capacity.
Does Powerwall 3 get the Tesla referral discount?
Tesla's qualifying list names solar panels, not Powerwall by itself. Tesla's referral page shows $400 off Solar Panels & Powerwall, so the discount is tied to a solar order. If you only want a Powerwall, check whether the $400 appears in your order before you place it.
What warranty does Powerwall 3 have?
10 years, per Tesla's Powerwall page.
Can my Tesla power my house?
With Powershare, a compatible Model 3, Model Y or Cybertruck can connect to Powerwall and extend your home backup, per Tesla.