How much does Generac PWRcell cost?
How much does Generac PWRcell cost?
$12,000 – $20,000 average total cost installed (before tax credit)
$8,400 – $14,000 average total cost installed (after tax credit)
Generac PWRcell cost
The Generac PWRcell costs $12,000 to $20,000 on average installed, depending on the capacity. The PWRcell—pronounced "power cell"—is a home battery that stores energy generated by a solar panel system to provide 9 to 18 kWh of backup power in an outage.
| System size (model) | Unit price only* | Total cost installed* | Total cost installed after tax credits* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 kWh (M3) | $10,000 – $11,000 | $12,000 – $14,000 | $8,400 – $9,800 |
| 12 kWh (M4) | $12,000 – $13,000 | $14,000 – $16,000 | $9,800 – $11,200 |
| 15 kWh (M5) | $14,000 – $15,000 | $16,000 – $18,000 | $11,200 – $12,600 |
| 18 kWh (M6) | $16,000 – $17,000+ | $18,000 – $20,000+ | $12,600 – $14,000+ |
* Not including solar panels or optional items like a PWRmanager energy monitor or an automatic transfer switch.
Generac PWRcell prices by system size
Generac PWRcell prices start at $10,000 for the 9 kWh base model, not including installation or solar panels. Larger PWRcell systems cost $12,000 to $17,000+ for the unit alone, depending on the capacity.
| System size / Capacity | Model # | Unit price (before installation) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 kWh | M3 | $10,000 – $11,000 |
| 12 kWh | M4 | $12,000 – $13,000 |
| 15 kWh | M5 | $14,000 – $15,000 |
| 18 kWh | M6 | $16,000 – $17,000+ |
The standard PWRcell package includes one cabinet, up to six 3 kWh battery modules, and a 7.6 KW inverter. Larger systems require an additional cabinet, more battery modules, and a larger inverter.
The PWRcell outdoor-rated cabinet costs $3,000 to $4,000. Each cabinet can three to six battery modules for a total capacity of 9 kWh to 18 kWh.
Additional 3 kWh battery modules cost $1,900 to $2,500 each. Generac's stackable system can be easily expanded by adding more battery modules later.
Generac PWRcell solar system cost breakdown
Labor to install a Generac PWRcell solar system costs $2,000 to $3,000 on average. Labor costs increase for systems requiring multiple battery cabinets or additional components.
| System type | Total cost to install* |
|---|---|
| Generac PWRcell battery unit | $10,000 – $17,000 |
| Installation labor | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Total cost to install | $12,000 – $20,000 |
*Not including solar panels.
Additional components to complete the solar system include:
Solar panels cost $10,600 to $26,500 on average installed after the tax credit.
A solar roof costs $42,000 to $80,000 installed and typically comes with a battery.
Installing a power cell may require upgrading the home's electrical panel. Replacing an electrical panel costs $1,300 to $4,000.
A Generac automatic transfer switch costs $500 to $900 for a 100-amp switch or $900 to $1,400 for a 200-amp switch.
Generac PWRcell specs & features
Generac PWRcell specs include a usable energy capacity of 9 kWh to 18 kWh, with up to 9 kWh of continuous power and peak power ratings of 6 to 12 kW, depending on the model.
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Usable energy capacity* | 9 kWh – 18 kWh |
| Continuous power* | 4.5 kW – 9 kW |
| Peak power* | 6 kW – 12 kW |
| Round-trip efficiency | 96.5 % |
| Depth of discharge (DoD) | 84% |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Dimensions | 68" x 22" x 10" |
| Weight | 282 – 454 lbs. |
| Operating temperature* | 14° – 122° F or 41° – 113° F |
*Depending on model selected.
Lithium-ion battery – The PWRcell is a lithium-ion battery, featuring the same nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery chemistry used in the Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem RESU.
EX vs. DCB models – The PWRcell is available in two models, the EX with a maximum operating temperature of 14° to 122° F and the DCB with a maximum operating temperature of 41° – 113° F.
Generac PWRmanager energy monitoring system
Generac's PWRmanager costs $1,000 to $1,100 and provides intelligent load management, allowing you to prioritize specific appliances and devices. The PWRmanager can control up to twelve circuits—including 120V and 240V—and replaces the need for multiple Smart Management Modules (SMMs).
Using the PWRview app, you can reprioritize appliances as needed. PWRview provides comprehensive home energy monitoring, including a live view of your home's energy sources and costs, energy usage tracking, bill forecasting, and weather monitoring to prompt your PWRcell system to charge the battery before a storm.
Generac PWRcell battery storage efficiency
The Generac PWRcell has one of the highest round-trip efficiency ratings available in a solar battery, but its Depth of Discharge is lower than most other brands.
Round-trip efficiency – The PWRcell has a round-trip efficiency of 96.5%. Round-trip efficiency is the percentage of energy stored in the battery that can be retrieved later. A high round-trip efficiency means less energy is lost in the storage and transfer process.
Depth of Discharge (DoD) – The PWRcell's Depth of Discharge is 84%. The DoD is the maximum percentage of stored energy the battery can discharge relative to the total capacity. A 9 kWh PWRcell can discharge 7.56 kWh before requiring a recharge.
Generac solar PWRcell inverter
A Generac PWRcell inverter costs $3,200 to $4,000 for a 7.6 KW unit or $4,800 to $5,500 for an 11.4 KW unit. The invert converts DC power from the solar panels into AC power that is usable by the home and electrical grid.
The inverter's maximum power output rating limits the amount of power the home can draw from the battery at any given time. When installing multiple batteries to power more appliances and devices, confirm the inverter can handle the combined output of all the batteries.
Generac PWRcell warranty
The Generac PWRcell comes with a 10-year warranty for the battery cabinet, modules, inverter and PWRmanager unit. Additional components like the PV Link and SnapRS come with a 25-year warranty, while the Smart Management Module has a 5-year limited warranty.
| Component | Warranty coverage |
|---|---|
| PWRcell battery cabinet | 10 years |
| PWRcell battery modules | 10 years or 7.56 MWh of energy throughput per module, whichever comes first |
| PWRcell inverter | 10 years |
| PV Link | 25 years |
| SnapRS | 25 years |
| Smart Management Module (SMM) | 5-year limited |
| Model | Throughput warranty |
|---|---|
| M3 (9 kWh) | 22.6 MWh |
| M4 (12 kWh) | 30.2 MWh |
| M5 (15 kWh) | 37.8 MWh |
| M6 (18 kWh) | 45.3 MWh |
Generac PWRcell tax credits
The Generac PWRcell is eligible for the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit until 2032. This federal tax credit—formerly known as the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)—decreases to 26% for installations in 2033 and 22% in 2034. The tax credit applies to solar equipment and installation labor.
Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency® to find additional rebates and local tax incentives available in your state.
Purchased or loan-financed systems qualify for the federal tax credit but leased systems do not.
Generac PWRcell cost vs. Tesla Powerwall
A Tesla Powerwall costs $11,500 installed for the first 13.5 kWh unit and $7,000 for each additional unit installed at the same time. The Powerwall works with most solar panel or solar roof systems and has a higher Depth of Discharge than the PWRcell. However, the Generac PWRcell is more efficient.
| Feature | Generac PWRcell | Tesla Powerwall |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost installed* | $12,000 – $20,000 | $11,500 for first 13.5 kWh unit, $7,000 for each additional unit |
| Usable energy capacity | 9 kWh – 18 kWh | 13.5 kWh |
| Continuous power | 4.5 kW – 9 kW | 5.8 kW – 9.6 kW |
| Peak power | 6 kW – 12 kW | 10 kW – 22 kW |
| Round-trip efficiency | 96.5% | 90% |
| Depth of discharge (DoD) | 84% | 100% |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years, 70% capacity retention |
| Dimensions | 68" x 22" x 10" | Powerwall 2: 45.3" x 29.6" x 5.75"Powerwall+: 62.8" x 29.7" x 6.3" |
| Weight | 282 – 454 lbs. | Powerwall 2: 251.3 lbs.Powerwall+: 343.9 lbs. |
| Operating temperature | 14° – 122° F | -4° to 122° F |
| Energy monitoring app | Generac PWRview app | Tesla mobile app |
| Load management | Yes | No |
| Generator integration | Yes | No |
| EV charging in-app | No | Yes |
*Before subtracting federal tax credit.
Generac PWRcell vs. other battery backup costs
A solar battery costs $8,000 to $16,000 on average installed, depending on the size and brand. Popular batteries from LG Chem and Enphase typically cost less than the Generac PWRcell. However, the PWRcell has a high round-trip efficiency compared to many other models.
| Solar battery brand | Unit cost* | Capacity | Round-trip efficiency | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generac PWRcell | $10,000 – $17,000 | 9.0 – 18.0 kWh | 96.5% | 10 years |
| Tesla Powerwall | $8,500 | 13.5 kWh | 90% | 10 years70% capacity |
| LG Chem RESU | $6,000 – $11,000 | 9.6 – 16.0 kWh | 90% | 10 years60% – 70% capacity |
| Enphase | $3,000 – $9,500 | 3.4 – 10.5 kWh | 89% – 96% | 10 years70% capacity |
| Sonnen | $9,000 – $36,000 | 5.0 – 30.0 kWh | 81.6% – 85.8% | 10 years & 10,000 cycles, or 15 years & 15,000 cycles |
| Panasonic EverVolt | $12,000 – $13,000 | 4.6 – 17.1 kWh | 90% | 10 years60% capacity |
| Simpliphi | $4,200 – $23,500 | 4.9 – 22.8 kW | 98% | 10 years or 10,000 cycles |
| Eguana Evolve | $10,000 – $13,000 | 12.2 – 12.8 kWh | 86.8% | 10 years60% capacity |
| Electriq Power | $9,800 – $22,000 | 10.0 – 20.0 kWh | 96.6% | 10 years |
*Not including installation.
Generac PWRcell cost vs. generator
A whole house generator costs $6,000 to $11,000 with installation. While the PWRcell stores energy from solar panels, a standby generator uses natural gas or propane to provide backup power to the home in an outage. The PWRcell can be paired with a Generac generator for multiple backup options.
Is a Generac PWRcell worth it?
A Generac PWRcell may be worth it for homes in areas that experience frequent power outages or where net metering isn't available. The PWRcell has a higher round-trip efficiency than most other solar battery brands. However, the system is expensive and likely won't pay for itself in its lifetime.
| Pros | Cons |
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Generac PWRcell FAQs
How does a Generac PWRcell work?
The Generac PWRcell is a solar battery that stores energy generated by solar panels and provides backup power during a grid outage. The PWRcell also allows homeowners to take advantage of Time of Use (TOU) energy plans by using the battery's stored energy during peak hours when rates are highest.
How long does a Generac PWRcell last?
A Generac PWRcell is warrantied to last at least 10 years, though the system has not been around long enough to determine if the predicted lifespan is accurate. Battery usage and the number and depth of discharges impact how long a PWRcell lasts.
Can a Generac PWRcell charge from the grid?
Yes, a Generac PWRcell can charge from the grid or from solar panels.
How long will a Generac PWRcell run a house?
An 18 kWh Generac PWRcell can power a home for 6 to 16 hours, depending on the number of lights and appliances running. An average family of four will require a minimum of two home batteries to power LED lights, major appliances, and air conditioning or a heat pump for one day.
Prioritize essential lights and appliances with Generac's Smart Management Modules to prolong the PWRcell's energy output.
How many Generac PWRcells do I need?
The number of PWRcells you need depends on your household size, energy consumption, and whether you want backup power for short-term outages or total grid independence. The average home needs a battery system with a total capacity of 28 to 30 kWh to supply whole-house backup power for one day.
Can you go off-grid with the Generac PWRcell?
Though the PWRcell can provide backup power during a grid outage, Generac does not officially endorse using the system in a fully off-grid setup. Although the system can be expanded to provide 36 kWh of total capacity, two days without full sun can deplete the battery, leaving the home without power.
Can you charge an electric vehicle with a Generac PWRcell?
Yes, you can charge an electric vehicle with a Generac PWRcell.
Generac PWRcell reviews
Check out these sites for more Generac PWRcell reviews:
Solar Reviews – Generac PWRcell expert review
Energy Sage – The Generac PWRcell home battery complete review
Save on Energy – Generac PWRcell Review
EcoWatch – Generac PWRcell Home Battery Review
Getting estimates from home battery backup (ESS) installers
Before hiring a solar installer, be sure to:
Get three estimates from authorized Generac installers.
Look for contractors who are members of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) or certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose a company that is licensed, insured, and has been in business 5+ years.
Schedule a site visit for a solar home energy assessment.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask
Are you an authorized Generac installer?
How many PWRcell systems have you installed?
Are you a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) or any other solar industry associations?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
What size system do I need?
Which appliances and devices will the battery power in an outage?
Does the estimate include an inverter, automatic transfer switch, and smart management module?
Will the installation require adding a subpanel?
What other costs should I expect?
Where do you recommend mounting the PWRcell in my home?
If mounting it outdoors, how will temperature impact the battery's performance?
How long will the installation take?
Will you submit the application to my utility company to receive Permission to Operate (PTO)?
Will you assist me in claiming any rebates and incentives?
Who should I contact for troubleshooting or repairs?
How long is the warranty, and what does it cover?