In the world of solar energy storage, two names stand out: Tesla and Enphase. Both companies offer high-quality, reliable products, but there are some key differences between the Tesla Powerwall 3 and the Enphase 5P that potential buyers should be aware of. In this article, we’ll delve into these differences to help you make an informed decision.
Enphase IQ Battery 5P
Enphase IQ Battery 5P are part of the Enphase Energy storage system, and are ideal for residential use. These batteries are compact and modular, allowing for easy installation and scalability. The 5P batteries are ideal for storing excess solar energy for backup power during outages, and self-consumption to reduce reliance on the grid. They also work seamlessly with Enphase’s microinverters, enabling efficient energy management and optimization.
Pros
- Longer Warranty: The Enphase 5P comes with a 15-year limited warranty, providing long-term peace of mind for homeowners.
- Safe Battery Chemistry: The Enphase 5P uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry, one of the safest and most durable on the market.
- Higher Output & Surge Capacity: The Enphase 5P provides 3.84 kVA of continuous power and can peak at 7.68 kVA for 3 seconds. This allows it to power some of the most energy-intensive devices during power outages. It also has the highest output per kWh of any home battery currently on the market.
- Seamless Charging from Solar Array: The Enphase 5P is designed for seamless charging from your solar array, so you can maximize how much solar is used while off-grid.
- Built-in Generator Support: This feature allows the Enphase 5P to work in tandem with a generator, providing additional flexibility and reliability.
- Excellent Customer Service: Enphase is known for its excellent customer service, and they will even deploy their own field technicians to help fix issues if needed.
- Future EV Bidirectional Charging Features: The Enphase 5P is future-proofed with the capability to add in bidirectional charging in the future, likely in 2025.
- Optional Load-Shedding Controller: This feature allows for more efficient use of stored energy.
- More Control Through App: The Enphase app offers homeowners remote monitoring and control, including load-shedding, schedule setting, and self-consumption adjustments.
Cons
- The name does not roll off the tongue.
- Higher Cost: The Enphase 5P is more expensive than some other options on the market.
- Compatibility: The Enphase 5P only works with Enphase inverters.
- Reduced Storage Capacity for the Cost: Despite its higher cost, the Enphase 5P offers a total usable energy capacity of 5.0 kWh.
- Limited Generator support: On paper, Enphase is amazing for integrating with a generator, but their actual requirements are very stringent. Most generators are not compatible, but for the right person, the Enphase system allows you to essentially run your own micro-grid.
Tesla Powerwall 3
The Tesla Powerwall 3 is a fully integrated solar and battery system designed to meet the needs of your home. The Tesla Powerwall 3 is an advanced home energy storage solution that features a sleek design and high energy density, providing ample power storage in a compact package. They are compatible with existing solar installations, allowing homeowners to store excess solar energy for use when the sun isn’t shining or during power outages.
The Tesla Powerwall 3 was rushed out the door initially, but it seems that the engineers have finally caught up, and added in most of the needed fixes. We’ve installed several batches of Powerwall 3s now, and they are performing quite well. The surge capacity is incredible, and now that Tesla released the Tesla Remote Energy meter, you can monitor your entire home’s energy usage, even if you are just backing up one panel. Powerwall 3 is now compatible with SPAN smart panels as well, which is a great combination, since the Powerwall 3 does not have any load-shedding built in (for related reading, see “Should I Install a Smart Electric Panel Like the SPAN Panel“).
Pros
- Lower Initial Investment: The Powerwall 3 offers a cheaper initial investment compared to some other systems.
- Compatibility: The AC-coupled version of the Powerwall 3 can work with existing systems or systems with string inverters (Update– Tesla has rolled out the AC Coupling feature, as of late-April).
- Higher Usable Storage Capacity Per Dollar: The Powerwall 3 offers a higher usable storage capacity per dollar, making it a cost-effective choice.
- Built-In Inverter: The Powerwall 3 features an integrated solar inverter, allowing solar to be connected directly for high efficiency. This reduces the need for another inverter, especially for ground-mounted solar systems.
- Unlimited Battery Cycles: The Powerwall 3 is warranted for unlimited battery cycles, making it a good choice in markets where they are used for time-of-use and self-consumption.
- High Surge Capacity: While the exact figure is not not published on the datasheet, Tesla has said that the Powerwall 3 can surge up to 30kW, meaning that one Powerwall 3 should be able to power most homes.
- Integrates with SPAN Panel: Although there is no native load shedding on the Powerwall 3, installing a SPAN panel gives the ultimate control & load shedding ability to your entire panel.
Cons
- Size and Stackability: The Powerwall 3 is not as compact or stackable as the Powerwall 2. (Note– DC Expansion packs of 13.5kWh each are expected to be released at some point, which would allow for stacking, and are expected to cost about $1000 less than a full Powerwall 3. As of Sept., they are still not available)
Less Maximum Output Power Per kWh: The Powerwall 3 has less maximum output power per kWh compared to some other systems.
Shorter Warranty: The Powerwall 3 is covered by a 10-year warranty, shorter than the 15-year warranty offered by Enphase.
Undisclosed Battery Chemistry: Tesla has not officially disclosed the battery chemistry, which is a notable absence on its datasheet. There are rumors that the Powerwall 3 is Lithium-Iron Phosphate now, and a Tesla representative confirmed that on a call as well, although they reiterated that Tesla does not intend to publish that information. - No load shedding: on a solar installation in Richmond, VA we decided to install a SPAN smart panel to add more control to the system. While the Tesla Powerwall 3 can run most loads, it’s beneficial to limit the load, so that the batteries don’t drain too quickly.
Both the Tesla Powerwall 3 and the Enphase IQ Battery 5P are excellent choices for solar energy storage. The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and if you are installing solar now, or already have a solar system. While the Tesla Powerwall 3 typically has more storage capacity for a lower price-point, and should integrate with existing solar installations, Enphase has some significant advantages if power-output and longevity are of utmost importance. Once Tesla releases DC Expansion packs and support for remote monitoring, the Powerwall 3 will gain some much-needed functionality. If you would like to learn more, or see which storage solution is right for you, fill out our solar assessment form so we can get in touch.
