Tesla Powerwall prices and launch details for South Africa

Dako Power, a distributor for SolarEdge in South Africa, has told customers it will sell solar power kits with the Tesla Powerwall starting from January-March 2016, but that the first batteries could be in the country before the end of 2015.

Initially, it only plans to sell Tesla’s home battery system as part of solar kits that include the StorEdge inverter system from SolarEdge.

SolarEdge revealed its StorEdge Interface in 2015, saying that the direct current-coupled photovoltaic storage solution was designed to work with the Powerwall.

The company said StorEdge would be introduced in SA during 2015.

Powerwall and StorEdge kit pricing

Tesla Powerwall and StorEdge system

Dako said its entry-level Powerwall and StorEdge kits will include the following:

• 7kWh Tesla Powerwall
• 5kW SolarEdge Inverter with StorEdge
• 12× Yingli photovoltaic solar panels (total 3.3kW)

Up to two additional 7kWh Powerwalls may be added to the inverter system, and inverters may be stacked to expand the system further.

The Powerwall carries a 10-year warranty, and the inverter a 25-year warranty.

Currently, the base kit will cost around R225,000 including VAT (R197,000 excl.), but Dako warned that the price is fixed to the US dollar.

If the rand weakens beyond R14 per dollar, the price will change.

Dako also warned that it expects to get a limited quantity of Powerwalls initially as demand is high.

StorEdge in SA before Powerwall

SolarEdge said it hopes the Tesla Powerwall volume allocation issues will be solved by the end of Q1 2016.

“Inverters that support StorEdge will be available from October 2015,” said SolarEdge. The Tesla Powerwall can then be added when stock becomes available.

SolarEdge declined to comment about the individual prices of the Powerwall or StorEdge inverter systems, saying it is up to its distributors to set prices.

However, it confirmed that the estimated product launch timings provided by Dako were accurate.

Installation and financing

Dako said it plans to have Tesla and SolarEdge-approved installers ready for when the kits arrive, and are currently running a recruiting campaign.

Installation of a StorEdge and Powerwall system is simple compared to other backup kits, and Dako said it should cost in the region of R15,000 (incl. VAT).

The distributor said it also has the support of banks to provide financing options for its home solar energy kits.

Thanks to the long-term warranties on the equipment, financial institutions see such kits as an investment on a property, said Dako.

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