Tesla announced it has released an application programming interface (API) for its solar, Powerwall battery energy storage and electric vehicle chargers.
An API is a software intermediary that allows applications to communicate with each other. The new API will enable third parties to interact with software controlling the home energy components.
The EV and home solar provider released an API in October for electric vehicle fleet management. Now, its API supports coordination of distributed energy assets.
Tesla has increasingly been implementing software plans to coordinate distributed energy assets in programs like virtual power plants (VPP). In a VPP program, customers enroll their solar and storage assets in a program that taps their stored or produced electricity during times of peak demand. Customers are financially compensated for these electricity export events.
Developers can find the API here.
Powerwall 3
Tesla’s Powerwall will be a key component in VPP program implementation and fleet management. The company announced its third-generation Powerwall in September 2023.
The new battery has an energy capacity of 13.5 kW and offers continuous on-grid power of 11.5 kW. The system measures 110 cm x 61 cm x 19.3 cm and weighs 130 kg.
The battery includes an inverter featuring six solar inputs with maximum power point trackers (MPPTs). The device has reportedly a solar-to-grid efficiency of 97.5%. The new product comes with a 10-year product warranty.
“PW3 is optimized for ease of installation & high power, which means that a single Powerwall can serve as an uninterruptible power supply for most homes. This is a big deal for ensuring that the lights stay on and you can power all your devices in the event of a power outage,” said chief executive officer Elon Musk.
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Too bad Tesla has overpriced its battery systems out of the range of most homeowners. Only homeowners in California and New Jersey could get enough payback from “Time of Day Metering” to make the things pay off under NEM3.0 and other utility drawdowns on grid tied solar production values. The current solar tax credits only favor the high-income taxpayers and those making less than $50,000.00 per year will never be able to afford the solar with battery option. I owned a Tesla Solar Roof that I purchased in 2020 that burned in a house fire and would not qualify for any of the tax credits to replace it. They also raised the price from $39,000.00 for my solar roof to $121,000.00 for the same roof without batteries. Even under my grandfathered in NEM2.0, the Solar Roof would never get the pay back needed to even break even in California. My biggest fear is that NEM3.0 will put the solar companies, that install my replacement rooftop solar panels may be out of business in 3 years and the warrantees would be worthless making the solar panels on my roof worthless if there is ever a problem with them.