GivEnergy All in One vs Tesla Powerwall 3 – Everything You Need To Know

With the recent release of Tesla's Powerwall 3, homeowners looking to invest in a home battery system might find themselves comparing it to GivEnergy's All in One system. Both are top contenders in the residential energy storage market, but how do they stack up against each other? Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the key features, benefits, and considerations for each to help you decide which is the best fit for your home.

Battery Capacity & Chemistry

GivEnergy All in One

• Capacity: 13.5 kWh
• Chemistry: Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP)
• Efficiency: 93% round-trip efficiency (from the distribution board)

Tesla Powerwall 3

• Capacity: 13.5 kWh
• Chemistry: Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP)
• Efficiency: 97.5% PV to Home (from the solar PV panels), 89% PV to Battery Charging to Home (from the solar PV panels)

Both the GivEnergy All in One and Tesla Powerwall 3 share a 13.5 kWh storage capacity and utilize the safer and longer-lasting LFP chemistry. The exact ‘round-trip efficiency’ figures for Powerwall 3 are a bit muddy as it has a hybrid inverter. We know that from the panels to charge the battery to then power your home, you can expect 89% efficiency, and you can expect 97.5% efficiency when the PV is only powering your home, and not going through the battery. But these are not directly comparable to GivEnergy’s 93% round-trip efficiency figure, as there are more steps involved in Tesla’s figure than GivEnergy’s, virtue of GivEnergy’s figure not the initial amount of energy coming from the panels, instead, the amount coming from the distribution board.

System Expansion

One major difference between the two systems lies in how they handle expansion:

• GivEnergy All in One: To increase storage, you would need to install another complete battery unit, which can be costly.
• Tesla Powerwall 3: Tesla offers more flexibility with upcoming expansion packs that provide 13.5 kWh of storage at a lower cost, as they don’t include the inverter and solar MPPT trackers. You can add up to 3x expansion packs per Powerwall 3, potentially bringing your total storage to 54 kWh. You can then have up to 4x main Powerwall 3 units on a single phase supply, 4x 54 kWh, ergo, up to 216 kWh capacity.

This makes Tesla's system more scalable and likely more cost-effective for those looking to expand their energy storage over time, or simply looking to install a large capacity to begin with.

Warranty

• GivEnergy All in One: 12 Years (Service plan required)
• Tesla Powerwall 3: 10 Years (80% Capacity guaranteed at end of warranty period)

The All in One has a 12 year warranty, provided a service is carried out by a certified installer in years 5, 8, and 10, at a cost of £29 + VAT per remote check, and up to £100 + VAT if a technician has to be sent out.

Tesla’s warranty however, is comparatively simple, an all-inclusive 10 years with 80% retained capacity at the end of the warranty period. They also say that the inverter and battery should both last 15 years or more.

Inverter Capabilities

The inverter functionality also differs significantly between the two systems:

• GivEnergy All in One: Features a 6kW AC-coupled inverter. Alternatively, you can choose the 3.6 kWh variant of the All in One
• Tesla Powerwall 3: Comes with an inverter that can be set between 3.68kW to 11.04kW, and it includes three solar MPPTs capable of handling over 18.5kW of DC input.

If you're planning to install solar panels along with your battery, Tesla Powerwall 3’s superior inverter capabilities and solar integration make it a more versatile option. However, if you're only interested in battery storage, the GivEnergy system is more than sufficient and avoids paying for unused features.

DNO Permission Considerations

An important factor to consider in the UK is DNO (Distribution Network Operator) permission, especially if you're planning a system with solar integration.

• GivEnergy All in One: Since it's an AC-coupled system, you'll need separate inverters for battery storage and solar, which could require higher DNO permissions.
• Tesla Powerwall 3: Its DC-coupled inverter can handle both solar and battery functions, simplifying DNO applications and making it easier to install larger systems within DNO limits.

This makes the Powerwall 3 a more convenient choice if DNO restrictions are a concern.

See this diagram for how inverter ratings determine how DNO applications are requested, and how DC coupled solar and battery systems are preferable for increasing DNO acceptance likelihood. The higher the total output on the DNO application, the lower the likelihood of acceptance.

Power Cut Protection

Both systems offer whole-house power cut protection, but there are some differences:

• GivEnergy All in One: GivEnergy claims All in One is a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), it switches to backup mode instantly without any noticeable interruption.
• Tesla Powerwall 3: While not UPS-certified, it still provides seamless backup in most situations, though some users might notice a slight delay.

If you require absolute seamlessness, the GivEnergy All in One might be a better option.

Price Comparison

Price is always a critical factor in decision-making:

Price without solar or Retrofit:

• GivEnergy All in One: £7,550
• Tesla Powerwall 3: £7,750

Price with solar:

• GivEnergy All in One: £6,900
• Tesla Powerwall 3: £6,800 (minus cost of dedicated solar inverter, £500-£700. A hybrid inverter negates the need for a dedicated solar inverter.)

Brand and Manufacturer Experience

• Tesla: With years of experience and a proven track record with the Powerwall 1 and 2, Tesla offers a reliable and well-established product, with probably the largest sample size of batteries in the wild in the industry, besides BYD, when accounting for EV’s. In our experience, Tesla has proven time and time again to have excellent UK customer service for its energy products.
• GivEnergy: A UK-based company with a solid reputation, GivEnergy is relatively new to the market but has quickly gained trust, especially among UK customers. We have had little experience with faulty GivEnergy systems, and their support has not left anything wanting.

Both companies have strong support systems and are expected to honour their warranties well into the future, so either choice should provide peace of mind.

Conclusion

Choosing between the GivEnergy All in One and Tesla Powerwall 3 comes down to your specific needs. If you're looking for a versatile system with strong solar integration and the ability to easily expand, the Powerwall 3 is hard to beat. However, if you prefer a battery-only system with claimed UPS capabilities and a longer warranty, the GivEnergy All in One is a solid option, particularly for those who want to support a British company.

Both systems represent the cutting edge of home energy storage, and as they continue to drive innovation, consumers are the real winners.

If you'd like to compare how they could work for your needs, we'd suggest you check out our battery storage calculator. Or get in touch for personalised advice and to get the ball rolling on your battery system.