22 April . 2018
N.C. Builder Debuts Tesla Powerwall Upgrade
Kathleen Brown
Builder Magazine
April 23, 2018
At Wendell Falls, a new-home community in Wendell, N.C., a one-of-a-kind energy storage system has been added to the list of green energy upgrades available to homeowners.
Raleigh, N.C.-based Homes By Dickerson, a Wendell Falls builder, partnered with Morrisville, N.C.-based Southern Energy Management (SEM) to install the first Powerwall at the community, one of the first uses of the Tesla product in the state. Developed by San Diego, Calif.-based Newland Communities, Wendell Falls encompasses more than 1,100 acres near Raleigh, N.C.
The Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable lithium ion battery that works in conjunction with solar panels to store excess energy. By making this energy available on demand, day or night, the Powerwall roughly doubles the amount of solar energy that directly powers the home, according to Tesla. When used by homeowners on a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan, the wall can help save money by charging and discharging according to peak times and prices. The Powerwall also provides backup power during outages by automatically disconnecting from the grid and restoring power to a home for seven days or longer, Tesla says.
Homes in Wendell Falls have an average score of 62 on the HERS Index, according to the developers. Dickerson’s homes there are Energy Star certified and are certified Bronze by the National Green Building Standard, with features like low-flow fixtures and faucets, tankless gas heaters, and radiant barrier roof sheathing. Homeowners who want to ratchet up their home’s performance even more can opt for solar panels and a 13.5 kw/hour Powerwall, which can bring the home to net-zero energy.
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