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Tesla Solar & Elon Musk
Most everyone referrers to their Solar System as Solar, if it's Tesla Energy we call it Tesla Solar. Elon Musk is the Founder and CEO of Tesla Inc the Car Company. Tesla Motors was the Original Name for the Car Company. Tesla Motors changed to Tesla Inc about the time Tesla Motors Purchased Solar City.
Solar City became a Part of Tesla Inc, the Name Solar City disappeared and the Solar Company is now Tesla Energy.
Elon Musk is certainly a Forward Thinker which could Translate into Great Improvements in the Future, not only at Tesla Energy but for the Solar Industry as a whole.
The Buffalo NY Gigafactory
The Gigafactory is a 1.2 million square foot Facility, leased by Tesla Energy and owned by the State of New York. The Site (Riverbend) on the Buffalo River originally occupied by Republic Steel is now Tesla Energy's Manufacturing Plant for Tesla Products.
Originally Planned as a Photovoltaic Factory. Tesla Energy did have an Agreement with Panasonic to Manufacture Solar Panels for Tesla in the Buffalo Gigafactory.
That agreement ended in February of 2020, there was some confusion about Panasonic Restarting Production in May of 2020. Panasonic and Tesla no longer have an agreement for Solar Panels nor are they Manufactured in the Buffalo Plant.
Tesla Panels
Who Makes Tesla Solar Panels for Tesla Energy. Hanwha Qcells is the Largest Worldwide Manufacture of High Quality and Efficient Solar Cells & Modules they are Tesla's Supplier of High Quality Solar Panels.
Hanwha Qcells has Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea & Thalheim, Germany with Manufacturing in South Korea, Malaysia and China.
Last year Tesla announced the New T420S Module a 420 Watt Panel with 19.3% efficiency, T425S a 425 Watt Panel with 19.6% efficiency, and the T430S a 430 Watt Panel with 19.8% efficiency.
The Tesla Panels & Frames are Black with 144 Black Monocrystalline Cells sized at 82.4" by 40.9" (2.094mm by 1.038mm).
The Tesla T420S, T425S & the T430S all boosts a 2.0% Degradation in the 1st Year and .54% per year for the next 24years.
Tesla uses their Own Zep Mounting System for a Composition Shingle Roof, the Mount does not incorporate a Panel Mounting Rail. The Zep System Eliminates Buildup of Pine Needles, Redwood Needles and Leaves. Zep, A company Purchased by Solar City prior to becoming Tesla Energy.
For a Tile Roof, Tesla uses a bracket Attached to the Roof after removing a Tile then the Tile is put back. There is a Rail System that attaches to the Installed Brackets then the Panels attach to the Rail. This Rail is Elevated to Prevent Debris Buildup.
Note: Should a Contract with Tesla Energy or any other Solar Company included a Provision Stating who Pays for Removing and Putting Back the Roof Mounted Solar Panels in the event of a Roofing Failure requiring Replacement.
Tesla Solar Roof Panels
The Tesla Solar Roof System, a Tempered Glass Panel that replaces your Existing Roof. This System is Unique and somewhat Futuristic Plus a little Expensive.
An Article Just for the Roof System in the only way to give a Fair and Complete Report, next week should be Exciting.
The Power Wall
The Powerwall 2 (after 11/20) has a 13.5 kWh Capacity Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery Stating 10kW peak (10 seconds) and 5.8 kW Continuous Power.
The Powerwall + (after 4/21) has a 13.5 kWh Capacity Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery Stating
No Sun - 10kW peak (10 seconds) and 5.8 kW Continuous Power.
Full Sun - 22kW peak (10 seconds) and 7.6 kW Continuous Power.
With Equal Storage Capacity the Difference is The Powerwall + has an Integrated Inverter and System Controller (Gateway) Built in.
The Powerwall 3 Information from Tesla.com is not available. I'm guessing the reason is because of Product Availability.
I did Manage to find some Specifications that seem to be the same as the Powerwall +. There was 1 difference that struck me, Integrated Soft Starter that is Capable of Powering Air Conditioning and Motors.
All of the Powerwall Units are a Dependable Battery Backup System for Areas prone to Power Outages or Living Off the Grid.
The Tesla System that includes the Powerwall will instantly Disconnect from the Grid and Begin to Draw from the Storage in your Batteries for your Limited Electrical Needs. Click the Link to Tesla Support providing Back Up Information. Link
When Considering a Tesla System that includes a Powerwall get Familiar with the Warranty of each Component. A Tesla Solar System is covered by a 10-year Comprehensive Warranty. The Panels may have a Additional Warranty Period, refer to your Purchase agreement of Contract.
I have Provided a Link to Tesla Energy Support & Explanation of Warranty. Link
Tesla Inverters
Since the 1st Quarter of 2021 Tesla has their Own Designed Inverter. It is Promoted as 97.5% Efficient, not the Best on the Market but certainly Respectable. The New Inverter has 4 Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPTs).
MPPT will effectively Optimize System Performance. The MPPT is an Electronic DC to DC Converter that Optimizes the Output of the Solar Array for High Power Production to the Batteries for Charging and or Output to the Grid.
NEC Safety Requirements
New Rapid Shut Down Requirements (not a Law) from the NEC (National Electric Code). Rapid shut down is a Safety Feature that Helps Protect First Responders in case of a Fire. The Feature either Automatic or Manual reduces the Electrical Output Voltage of the Panels to a safe Level in less than 60 seconds.
Microinverters are part of the PV Modules and have a built in Rapid Shut Down Capability, Tesla Does Not incorporate Microinverters in their PV Modules.
Additional Information
Are there Secrets Regarding Tesla Energy and The Factory in Buffalo? There are a couple of stories that are just Bait floating around the Internet, I couldn't find actual Evidence of Misinformation or Secrets at Solar Energy.
There was some questions regarding the Use of the Gigafactory in Buffalo, NY. Elon Musk and Solar Energy did have some Incentives from the State of New York when building the Factory.
I was not able to ascertain that Mr. Musk had violated the Conditions of the Incentives and has exceeded the Level Expected Employment at the Factory.
I tried to calculate how many 18650 Cells make up the Powerwall 3, Using Math to calculate I am guessing 1,400 to 1,500 Batteries that are smaller than a D Size 11/16" by 2 9/16".
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“Great Companies are Built on Great Products”
— Elon Musk