Updated July 22, 2025
TeTesla’s Powerwall 3 has created a lot of excitement in the solar community. Tesla’s reputation for innovation has driven many of our customers to investigate the Powerwall 3. But, like any product, it’s not perfect.
At PSC Energy, we take a good, hard look at every product we install. There are advantages and disadvantages to every component in your solar system. Deciding on what type of solar system you want requires a transparent perspective. In that spirit, we will examine some of the issues with the Powerwall 3, the latest addition to our product line.
In this article, you will learn:
- Common Problems with Powerwall 3
- Technical Concerns for Powerwall 3
- FAQ: Powerwall 3 Problems
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the issues with Powerwall 3, so you to make an informed decision.
Common Problems with Powerwall 3
Weight and Installation Concerns for Powerwall 3
Weight and Installation Concerns for Powerwall 3
One of the biggest problems with the Powerwall 3 is its weight. At 130 kilograms, it’s much heavier than many other solar batteries. This means that installation can be challenging and will require some planning.
If you want to mount it on a wall, you need to be extremely precise. Hitting the mounting points perfectly is crucial, especially on a timber stud wall. Brick walls are sturdier, but even they can struggle with that much weight.
Because of this, it’s safer to floor-mount the battery. When you floor-mount it, you eliminate the pressure on the wall.
Poor installation can lead to safety risks.
Fortunately, Tesla has addressed this issue with their new Powerwall 3 dolly. Installers will use this piece of equipment provided by Tesla to manoeuvre the Powerwall 3 better.
The dolly has a locking plate that makes installation precise every time. The dolly gently raises and lowers the Powerwall 3, so a single person can handle this aspect of the installation. This is particularly useful in tight spots.
Powerwall 3 Lacks Whole-Home Backup for Three-Phase Homes
Another issue with the Powerwall 3 is that it doesn’t provide whole-home backup for three-phase homes. In a three-phase home, electricity is divided across three separate wires, or “phases.” The Powerwall 3 can only back up one of these phases at a time.
This means that even if you install three Powerwall 3 units—one for each phase—you’ll still only have single-phase backup. During a power outage, only devices connected to the affected phase will be powered. The other phases won’t have backup power.
For homes that rely on three-phase power, this limitation is frustrating. You may need to invest in additional equipment or explore alternative solutions to ensure that your entire home is protected during an outage. Until Tesla releases a three-phase version of the Powerwall, this will remain a significant limitation.
Limitations with Neurio Meter and Compatibility Issues for Powerwall 3
The Powerwall 3 also has limitations related to its Neurio meter. This meter enabled users to monitor solar production from various locations, such as a shed or other outbuildings. Tesla previously offered compatibility with a wireless Neurio meter for the Powerwall 2.
It made it easy to track energy usage and solar output from various points on your property. However, the Powerwall 3 isn’t compatible with this product.
Tesla is currently working on a new meter, but it’s not yet available. This creates compatibility issues for homes with complex solar setups. If your solar panels are located far from the battery or spread across multiple buildings (as is often the case on rural sites), there may be additional installation considerations.
In some cases, you might need to dig a trench and run cables to connect your panels to the battery. This can be expensive and inconvenient, especially for rural properties. Until Tesla releases its new meter, the Powerwall 3 may not be suitable for every installation.
If you’re interested in learning more about installing Powerwall on a three-phase site, you might want to check out the following article titled, Installing Powerwall 3 on a Three-phase Site.
Technical Concerns for Powerwall 3
DC Architecture and Safety Considerations for Powerwall 3
The Powerwall 3 utilises a DC (direct current) architecture, which is riskier for your home than an AC (alternating current) architecture. In an AC architecture system, AC power is converted from DC to AC at the solar panel. Then it travels down to the home in a less volatile state.
In a system with DC architecture, such as Powerwall 3, the conversion from DC power to AC power occurs within the Powerwall. So the high-voltage DC power is unrelenting as it travels from your solar panels to your Powerwall.
In Australia, new regulations allow up to 1000 volts DC to flow from your roof to the inverter. The Powerwall 3 limits this to 600 volts, which is safer, but it’s still something to think about. DC systems don’t shut down as easily as AC systems in an emergency, which could be a concern if you’re worried about safety.
Additionally, the lack of rapid shutdown features on the Powerwall 3 might be an issue. Rapid shutdown is important because it allows the system to quickly cut off power in an emergency, such as a fire. This is already compulsory in the United States, so the Powerwall 3 requires additional components to make it compliant. This is not available in Australia.
Without this feature, there’s a greater risk of electrical hazards, especially in situations where first responders need to work on or near the system. They might let your house burn down if they can’t switch off the solar and it’s still producing electricity. After all, there are 600 volts of DC in the wires between the solar and the Powerwall 3.
While that sounds bleak, it’s essential to remember that a well-installed system reduces these risks to nearly zero.
DC power is safe if it’s installed correctly.
It’s crucial to make sure you’ve vetted your solar installer. Only hire accredited solar installers approved by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
Phase Imbalance Issues with Powerwall 3 in Three-Phase Homes
There are also issues with phase imbalance in three-phase homes. In New South Wales, regulations limit the amount of imbalance allowed between phases. For example, you can’t have more than 5kW of difference between the phases. The Powerwall 3’s 11.04 kW inverter can create problems in this area.
Because of local DNSP inverter limitations, the Powerwall 3 must be programmed to 10kW. This means that in order to balance the phases, you’ll need additional equipment (like additional Powerwalls or inverters) to get the other phases within 5kW of Powerwall 3.
If you have a Powerwall 3 installed on one phase and the other phases aren’t balanced, you end up with an imbalance that violates these regulations.
Even with three Powerwall 3 units, you’re still limited to single-phase backup, as we mentioned earlier.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about single-phase and three-phase sites, you might want to check out the following article titled, Single-Phase vs. Three-Phase: How Are They Different?
Conclusion: Is Powerwall 3 Worth It?
The Powerwall 3 has several notable problems. Its weight, lack of whole-home backup, limitations with the Neurio meter, and technical concerns regarding DC architecture and phase imbalance are important considerations.
However, it still offers many benefits, especially for single-phase homes. If you understand its limitations and are prepared to work around them, the Powerwall 3 can still be a valuable investment for home energy storage.
For complex solar setups, you may need to wait for Tesla’s new meter or explore alternative methods to monitor your solar production. In the meantime, working with an experienced installer who understands these limitations can help ensure that your system is set up correctly.
At PSC Energy, we love the Powerwall 3. We wouldn’t carry it if it weren’t among the best in its class. It’s important to weigh the benefits against the challenges of finding a customised solar system for your home. Your energy needs and goals are unique to you. You need an installer who can provide options for your solar setup.
If you’d like to learn more about the price of a Powerwall 3, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Does a Tesla Powerwall 3 Cost?
FAQ: Powerwall 3 Problems
What are the common installation problems with Tesla Powerwall 3?
The Powerwall 3 weighs 130 kilograms, which makes installation difficult. Wall-mounting it requires exact alignment, especially on timber stud walls. Even brick walls may not be able to support the weight safely. Poor installation could create safety hazards. Tesla now includes a specialised dolly with a locking plate that helps installers move and mount the battery more safely and accurately. Floor-mounting is often the best option to avoid pressure on the wall.
Can Powerwall 3 back up the entire home in a three-phase setup?
No, Powerwall 3 cannot provide whole-home backup for three-phase homes. It only backs up one phase at a time. Even if you install three Powerwall 3 units, you will still only have single-phase backup. This means only the appliances on that specific phase will work during a blackout. The other two phases will not be powered. Until Tesla releases a three-phase version, this remains a serious limitation for three-phase households.
Is Tesla Powerwall 3 compatible with Neurio meters?
Powerwall 3 is not compatible with the Neurio wireless meters that worked with Powerwall 2. These meters enabled users to monitor solar generation in various locations, such as sheds or outbuildings. Tesla has not yet released a replacement meter. This causes compatibility issues for properties with remote or spread-out solar panel setups. In many rural installations, trenching and cabling may be required, which can be expensive and inconvenient.
What are the safety concerns with Powerwall 3’s DC architecture?
Powerwall 3 uses DC (direct current) architecture, which can be riskier than AC (alternating current) systems. DC power travels from the panels to the battery before being converted, meaning high-voltage DC runs through your home. Although Powerwall 3 limits this to 600 volts (below the Australian cap of 1000 volts), DC power is still harder to shut down in emergencies. Powerwall 3 lacks rapid shutdown features, which are required in the US. Without rapid shutdown, first responders may not be able to safely shut down the system during an emergency, such as a fire.
Does Powerwall 3 meet Australian safety regulations?
Powerwall 3 meets current Australian safety regulations; however, it lacks some features required in other countries, such as rapid shutdown. This can pose a risk during emergencies because DC systems are more complicated to switch off. Tesla’s DC design is legal in Australia; however, homeowners should choose accredited installers approved by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) to minimise risk and ensure a safe installation.
What are phase imbalance issues with Powerwall 3 in NSW?
New South Wales regulations don’t allow more than a 5kW imbalance between phases in three-phase homes. The Powerwall 3’s inverter is rated at 11.04 kW but must be limited to 10 kW under DNSP rules. If you install Powerwall 3 on one phase without balancing the others, it may violate phase balance regulations. Even with three Powerwalls, you still get only single-phase backup. You may need extra inverters or balancing equipment to comply with local rules.
Is Powerwall 3 a good choice for rural properties?
The Powerwall 3 may not be ideal for rural properties that utilise solar panels on sheds, garages, or other outbuildings. Its lack of compatibility with wireless Neurio meters means those systems can’t monitor generation easily from multiple buildings. Until Tesla releases a new meter, rural installations may require digging trenches and laying cables to connect solar panels to the battery, which can increase cost and complexity.
Should I worry about Powerwall 3’s weight during installation?
Yes. At 130kg, the Powerwall 3 is heavier than many other solar batteries. Mounting it securely requires very accurate alignment, especially on wood-framed walls. Poor installation increases the risk of damage or injury. Tesla’s new dolly tool helps installers position the unit precisely. Most installers recommend floor mounting for safety and ease of use.
Is Powerwall 3 still worth buying despite the problems?
Powerwall 3 has several drawbacks, including weight, DC safety concerns, lack of whole-home three-phase backup, Neurio meter compatibility issues, and potential phase imbalance. However, it remains a powerful, well-designed battery—especially for single-phase homes. If you understand these limitations and work with an experienced installer, Powerwall 3 can still be an excellent home energy solution.
