Configuring your Powerwall in the Tesla App
Are my settings controlled automatically?
Your Tesla battery settings are an important part of making the most of your system, and now we’ve now unlocked the ability to optimize them for lower utility bills. For customers for which we have a strong recommendation for these settings, Sunrun will be proactively monitoring and adjusting them.
Here are the groups we currently proactively adjust to our recommended settings:
Customer group | Optimized settings |
|---|---|
California Solar Billing Plan (SBP) customers | Time-based control mode with a 20% backup reserve and Storm Watch enabled |
Illinois Smart Solar Billing (SSB) customers | Self-powered mode with a 20% backup reserve and Storm Watch enabled |
Puerto Rico customers | 100% Backup outside of PowerOn Puerto Rico grid events, with Storm Watch enabled |
*Be aware this optimization will not interfere with Virtual Power Plant (VPP) participation, which are battery rewards programs (e.g. Sunrun CalReady, PowerOn Puerto Rico, etc.) in which you may be automatically enrolled if eligible.
What's best for you?
The best Powerwall setup for you depends on your utility rate structure and local net metering policies, as well as your personal preferences. If you’re in one of the groups above, we will push our recommended settings to your battery automatically.
Self-Powered
Who's it for
- We especially recommend new Hawaii and Illinois solar customers to choose this option and to optimize utility bill savings.
Overview
- Self-Powered is an operational mode where the battery charges from otherwise-exported solar power, and then discharges later in the day to meet your home's demand.
- This mode is generally the default for customers who are not on Time-of-Use plans.
- 20% backup reserve recommended.
Self-Powered (Backup Only)
Who's it for
- Generally recommended in the Northeast and (with Virtual Power Plant participation) for Puerto Rico customers. Not recommended for most other customers.
Overview
- By selecting Self-Powered mode and maximizing your backup reserve (to 100%), Powerwall can be configured to reserve all power for outages.
- Not recommended for most customers.
Time-based control
Who's it for
- For customers on a Time-of-Use rate, this is often a good choice.
- For SCE, PG&E, or SDG&E Solar Billing Plan customers, a specific version of these settings will be pushed to your battery automatically.
Overview
- Time-Based Control is a mode that leverages Time-of-Use plans where energy prices may vary depending on the time of day, the day itself, the month, or the season.
- In this mode, your battery can provide power to your home and export to the grid at certain times based on your utility rate.
- 20% backup reserve recommended.
Important note: regardless of which setup you choose, if you have Powerwall 3 or Powerwall+, be sure that "Permission to Export" under "Advanced Options" is set to "Yes."