Under NEM 3.0, exporting solar to the grid barely pays anymore — the value is in storing your daytime production and using it at night, when Southern California Edison and LADWP rates are at their highest. That’s exactly what a Tesla Powerwall 3 does. Paired with solar, it turns your roof into an evening power source instead of a low-value export, keeps your lights on when the grid goes down, and puts your energy under your control.
AWS Solar has installed solar and battery systems across Los Angeles and Ventura County since 2007 — with our own licensed crews, no subcontractors. We don’t just bolt a Powerwall to the wall and leave. We size it for your home, handle your city’s permitting, and dial in the settings so it actually saves you money on your specific rate plan.
Why the Powerwall 3
The Powerwall 3 is a ground-up redesign, and the numbers matter for a real home:
- 11.5 kW continuous output — more than double the old Powerwall 2. A single unit can run central AC and start heavy motor loads like well pumps and HVAC compressors (rated up to 185 LRA). For most homes, one Powerwall covers whole-home backup.
- 13.5 kWh usable storage — enough to carry a typical home through the evening peak and overnight on stored solar.
- Built-in inverter — the Powerwall 3 integrates the solar inverter, battery inverter, and transfer switch into one unit, accepting up to 20 kW of solar across multiple roof planes. Fewer components, cleaner installs, higher efficiency (97.5% round-trip).
- Expandable — start with what you need now and add Expansion units later (13.5 kWh each, up to three) or additional Powerwalls as your usage grows.
- Tesla app — watch your solar, home, battery, and grid in real time, and set your backup reserve from your phone.
Why it matters here — SCE, LADWP, and fire country
This is where a local installer earns its keep. Your utility determines your entire battery strategy:
- Southern California Edison (SCE) customers are on the Net Billing Tariff (NBT), with peak rates from roughly 4–9 p.m. A Powerwall lets you avoid buying that expensive evening power and stores your solar instead of exporting it for pennies.
- LADWP customers (City of LA) play by different net-metering rules — the battery economics and settings aren’t the same as SCE, and we set yours up for LADWP specifically.
- Foothill, Conejo Valley, and coastal homes live with PSPS shutoffs and wildfire risk. Whole-home backup isn’t a luxury here — it’s the difference between riding out an outage and losing your food, your well pump, and your peace of mind.
We work across SCE, LADWP, and the municipal utilities (Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena), and we set every system up for the utility that actually serves your address.
Why AWS Solar
- Licensed C-10 solar & electrical contractor (CSLB #901196) — the battery and the electrical work are done by the same licensed team.
- In-house crews since 2007. No subcontractors. The people who quote your job are the people who install it and stand behind it.
- We dial in your settings. Time-Based Control vs. Self-Powered, backup reserve, export mode — configured for your rate plan, not left on defaults. See our guide: Tesla Powerwall 3 settings for SCE customers.
- We handle your city’s permitting and utility interconnection — including the municipal utilities most installers stumble on.
Our process
- Site assessment — we review your panel, your usage, your roof, and your utility.
- System design — a right-sized Powerwall configuration for your home and your backup goals.
- Permitting — we pull permits and handle your city’s building department and inspection.
- Installation — our in-house crew, typically completed in a day for a standard single-Powerwall job.
- Inspection & utility PTO — we manage the inspection and your Permission to Operate.
- Commissioning & setup — we power it up, walk you through the Tesla app, and configure your settings so it starts saving from day one.
How many Powerwalls do you need?
One Powerwall 3 covers essential-to-whole-home backup for most homes. If you have central AC running with an electric dryer, an EV charging overnight, a pool, or you want multi-day resilience, we may recommend a second Powerwall or an Expansion unit. We size it during your assessment — no overselling, no undersizing.
Incentives in 2026 — the honest version
The federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025, so there’s no 30% federal credit for a standalone battery paid in cash this year. What can still help:
- VPP programs (Tesla + SCE) pay you to share stored energy during summer grid events — modest but real passive income, with opt-out control.
- SGIP and other state or utility incentives may apply depending on your situation and eligibility.
- Third-party-owned financing (lease or prepaid) is now the route through which a federal tax credit can still flow, since the owner claims the commercial credit and passes the savings through.
We walk you through what you actually qualify for — no inflated promises.
Not sure which battery is right?
We install more than Tesla. Compare your options: Tesla Powerwall 3 vs. Enphase IQ Battery 10C vs. FranklinWH. We fit the right battery to your home — we’re not a single-brand shop.
Areas we serve
We install Tesla Powerwall 3 systems across Los Angeles and Ventura County — including Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Santa Clarita, Pacific Palisades, the San Gabriel Valley foothills, the Westside, and the San Fernando Valley. See all service areas.
Lights On. Bills Down.
Get a free Powerwall 3 assessment for your home. Get a free quote, upload your utility bill, or give us a call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Tesla Powerwall 3 back up my whole home?
For most homes, yes. A single Powerwall 3 delivers 11.5 kW of continuous power and can start heavy loads like AC compressors and well pumps. Larger homes running central AC, an electric dryer, and EV charging at once may need a second unit — we size it during your assessment.
How long will a Powerwall run my house during an outage?
One Powerwall stores 13.5 kWh. On essential loads like fridge, lights, and internet that can last well over a day; running heavier loads like AC brings it down to a handful of hours. Paired with solar, it recharges each day, so it can keep you powered through multi-day outages.
Can I add more battery capacity later?
Yes. You can add Expansion units (13.5 kWh each, up to three) or additional Powerwalls as your needs grow. We design your system so it’s easy to expand.
Do I need solar to get a Powerwall 3?
No — a Powerwall can be installed for backup on its own. But paired with solar it also lowers your bill by storing daytime production for expensive evening hours, which is where the real savings are under NEM 3.0.
Is there still a tax credit for batteries in 2026?
The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired at the end of 2025, so cash purchases no longer earn it. VPP programs, certain state and utility incentives, and third-party-owned financing can still help — we walk you through what applies to you.
How long does installation take?
A standard single-Powerwall installation is typically completed in a day, plus the permitting, inspection, and utility Permission-to-Operate timeline, which varies by city and utility.