{"id":82692,"date":"2025-05-30T09:06:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T13:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=82692"},"modified":"2025-05-30T09:06:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T13:06:22","slug":"opinion-its-time-to-start-recommending-some-tesla-powerwall-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=82692","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: it’s time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\"Great<\/figure>\n

For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to recommendation for \u201cnormals\u201d looking for a painless, low-effort experience from their first home solar and battery backup solutions. Its CEO\u2019s recent involvement in controversial politics<\/a>, however,\u00a0means that people are now distancing themselves from the once-trailblazing company<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It begs the question: what other home solar battery solutions are there<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Electricians and contractors often praise the\u00a0sleek, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall<\/a>,\u00a0for good reasons. But the Powerwall isn\u2019t the only top-shelf home battery on the market, but long wait times, Elon\u2019s antics, and the proliferation of really good integrated alternatives from legacy EV brands might have you shopping for Tesla alternatives already. If that\u2019s you, the next logical step is to re-think the brand\u2019s solar battery offerings as well \u2013\u00a0here are some of the best options out there.<\/p>\n

As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. \u201cBest batteries ..?\u201d Too opinion-based. \u201cCheapest batteries ..?\u201d\u00a0Too much research and a quick descent into Temu-grade nonsense<\/a>. In the end, I went with the same solution I\u2019ve been using on my 0% EV financing lists<\/a>: alphabetical order, by brand. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

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EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro<\/h2>\n\n
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EG4 installer; via EG4.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two of the home solar installers I talked to in preparing this post mentioned the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, at least) compare nicely with the Powerwall 3.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Battery<\/th>\nUsable capacity (kWh)<\/th>\nContinuous power output (kW)<\/th>\nRoundtrip efficiency<\/th>\nAverage price per kWh*<\/th>\nCoupling<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tesla Powerwall 3<\/td>\n13.5<\/td>\n11.5<\/td>\n97.5%<\/td>\n$926<\/td>\nDC or AC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro<\/td>\n11.44<\/td>\n10.24<\/td>\n99%<\/td>\n$786<\/td>\nDC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201cThe EG4 PowerPro solar battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest alternative to the Tesla Powerwall,\u201d writes Kristina Zagame, from the home solar experts at EnergySage<\/a>. \u201c(The EG4) has a similar capacity, meaning it\u2019ll last a similar amount of time, and a slightly lower power output, which means it won\u2019t be able to power quite as many devices at the same time. And, based on quotes through EnergySage, EG4 batteries tend to be a bit more affordable compared to Tesla.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enphase IQ Battery 10<\/h2>\n
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IQ Battery 10; via Enphase.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a one-brand solution for EV charging and whole-home battery backup but don\u2019t want to be \u201clocked in\u201d to GM or Tesla\u2019s ecosystem, Enphase offers a full line of Made-in-the-USA solutions that could be right for you<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnergy systems\u00a0developer Enphase Energy is providing an even more holistic approach to managing home power usage with the introduction of new EV charger technology called the IQ line,\u201d wrote Scooter doll, when the brand first introduced its EV charging solutions back in 2023<\/a>. \u201cThe Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly into a customer\u2019s existing home system that can be controlled with your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Franklin WH aPower 2<\/h2>\n\n
\"\"
Franklin aPower2 home battery; via Franklin WH.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you love the sleek, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 but still prefer to spend your money elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 offers similarly sleek styling<\/a> and<\/em> beats the Tesla offering on usable energy storage capacity by 1.5 kWh. That\u2019s nearly a full day<\/em> of keeping a modern refrigerator running.<\/p>\n

The Franklin is also designed to be easily retrofit into an existing solar system, but it loses out to the Powerwall on price per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).<\/p>\n

GM Energy Home System<\/h2>\n\n
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GM Energy Home System with Chevy Silverado EV; via GM.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arguably the most fully integrated EV + battery backup + solar option out there outside of Tesla, the GM Energy Home System promises to do everything a conventional home solar battery does<\/a>, plus work seamlessly with your GM EV to provide even more<\/em> flexibility \u2013 whether that means using the electric fuel stored in your EV to hold out that much longer in an emergency, or using the energy stored in your home\u2019s solar battery to power an escape in your EV is up to you.<\/p>\n

GM Energy and GM\u2019s car dealers list Qmerit as their installation partner, and they\u2019re great, but if you \u201calready have a guy,\u201d you can order the Home System directly from GM Energy\u2019s website for $12,700<\/a> (as I type this).<\/p>\n

The GM Energy Home System system includes:<\/p>\n