Solar installers are struggling to find Tesla Powerwall battery systems

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveils the Powerwall in April 2015. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

There’s plenty of demand for Tesla Inc.’s Powerwall home battery systems. The trick is finding installers that have them. Only 12% of U.S. companies that install solar panels and residential batteries carry the Powerwall. Meanwhile, about 55% of customers shopping for home-storage systems want them.

“Installers have indicated their frustration that the most popular battery is not available,” said Vikram Aggarwal, chief executive of EnergySage, an Energy Department-backed company that collects data on the solar industry.

One reason independent installers who participated in the survey may have a hard time finding Powerwalls is that Tesla shifted its strategy to sell most of its systems through its website, stores and *Certified Installers rather than just any third-party channels.

The Tesla Powerwall is a genuinely good option for consumers considering energy storage, and that quality is part of the reason why so many consumers are asking solar installers for it. “However, it’s Tesla’s overall brand recognition and luxury appeal that really sets the Powerwall apart from other battery competitors.”

EnergySage published its annual solar installer survey in February, and the results are surprising. Around 56 percent of installers reported that when their customers want a home battery storage system, they ask for the Tesla Powerwall, though just 12 percent of installers carry and quote the product.

Primary reason the Powerwall is hard to come by for most consumers.

Difficult Certification Process – is causing installers to look elsewhere for other battery products to sell. Rather than go through the grueling process of becoming a Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer, most solar companies prefer to sell other types of batteries.

*Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer – that means they have been trained and tested by Tesla on how to properly install and maintain their products. Warranty Backed & Guaranteed!

Synergy 768 is a local Certified Tesla Powerwall installer. Powerwalls in stock, with a 3 to 4 week install date. NO PAYMENTS for 18 months, in August it will be no payments for 17 months, in September no payments for 16 months and so on until *Certified Tesla Powerwall Installer promotion ends.