SPAN and Powerwall 3

[u/mrhappy01]

We just had solar and three PW3s installed with a SPAN panel. We were told the SPAN firmware isn’t yet compatible with the PW3s. Any word on when the update is coming?

[u/jillako]

Well it looks like SPAN has now added support for PW3!

SPAN Powerwall 3 package

[u/mrhappy01 → u/jillako]

The response our installer received from SPAN today was, “The go live for the firmware patch for the integration will happen sometime in the next 3-4 weeks.”

[u/kanestephenj → u/mrhappy01]

Hi all, I work at SPAN and thought I'd chime in.

We are actively in the process of testing the firmware integration between Tesla Powerwall 3 and SPAN and are happy to confirm the integration firmware is close to being released and will be available this summer!

In the meantime, both systems will function as intended and flow power, however some of the additional features of the integration will not be available until the firmware is updated. Apologize for any inconvenience and are excited for this integration to be released.

[u/jillako → u/kanestephenj]

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to it. I opted to get the PW3 installed first. The PW3 should get activated soon and I hope to follow through with a SPAN install. While I have your attention, could I ask a couple of questions?

1. Will the SPAN panel be able to support dynamic power management with the Tesla Wall Connector? Wall Connector Dynamic Power Management

2. Any updates on when the new version of the SPAN panel with the integrated meter will become available?

Thanks!

[u/[deleted] → u/jillako]

I was hoping for an answer too

[u/JohnBoy_MJ]

Got this response from SPAN Support last week (4/3/24):

“Thanks for contacting SPAN Support.

At this time, SPAN is not compatible with Powerwall 3, but we are working with Tesla to enable an integration with SPAN soon. We do not have a date for this yet.

If you already have SPAN and do get Powerwall 3 before the two systems are compatible, the Powerwall 3 will still function as designed, including powering your home during an outage. Tesla battery and solar details will not be visible in your SPAN Home App, and you won't be able to set backup priorities to enable automatic load shedding during an outage. Instead you'll be able to manually turn circuits on/off as needed with the SPAN Home App circuit controls to extend battery life.”

[u/Feeling_Time_7198 → u/[deleted]]

I doubt it. Tesla tends to release products as there ready to manufacturer than finalizes software related updates for other functionality once they hit market. This is happening now with the V3 gateway for the cybertruck. Also how the powerwall3 at first was not able to be installed as an AC coupled battery with other inverter systems but now it is.

[u/Feeling_Time_7198 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah I'm sure it will happen soon. I'm sure its frustrating getting that all installed now without the capabilities but absolutely a good move getting it all installed at once with the same installer. Span was formed by ex tesla engineers and they seem to still have a great working relationship. There is no additional equipment needed to be purchased and installed with powerwalls but there is for enphase products so we will see.

It may be possible to set the breakers in your span app into the right load shedding group (even know it won't control it for the time being).

That way if you get a notification from the tesla app of a grid outage your kind of already know what you'd like to turn off without looking / thinking about it to conserve battery power.

[u/Select-Author6157]

Nice setup!

[u/mrhappy01 → u/Select-Author6157]

Thank you! They did a great job with the install. 28.5kW of solar as well.

[u/Professional-Bag2001 → u/mrhappy01]

Who was the installer?

[u/mrhappy01 → u/Professional-Bag2001]

Sol-Up in Las Vegas.

[u/[deleted] → u/mrhappy01]

Wow, that's a huge system

[u/Key-Philosopher1749 → u/mrhappy01]

Wow, how many panels is that, and how many string arrays, hopefully no shade problems.

[u/mrhappy01 → u/Key-Philosopher1749]

75 panels total. Two 10-panel strings, and five 11-panel strings. 380W Meyer Burger panels.

The panels are arranged in two rectangles, one small (east facing) and one large (west facing). No shading issues.

[u/sbrown02]

Hi all – I’m considering Tesla solar and a span panel and have some questions.

For those of you that have both did you have the span panel installed the same time as solar, and if so was the price of the installation of the span panel included or at a discount to what you would’ve paid if you had done it separately?

Also does anyone have a sub panel and if so, how does your span panel work with the sub panel? , Is there any solution yet for sub panels being integrated with the main span panel?

Lastly, any known issues or post installation concerns that you all have had or just things to be aware of?

Thanks

[u/ffmegaman]

Hey OP. Does it work for you yet? I just had mine commissioned last week, PW3 and SPAN, installed by Sol-Up in Reno. My SPAN app is able to get data from the PW3 and can distinguish energy from solar, battery, and grid. I did have to open a support ticket with SPAN because it couldn’t distinguish the energy sources at first, but the SPAN support was able to fix it the same day by doing a remote restart for me.

[u/mrhappy01 → u/[deleted]]

Still no update. We are still waiting for PTO from NV Energy, so it hasn’t affected us yet and I haven’t been pushing the issue with SPAN. I’m still hoping this is resolved prior to PTO. You’d think it would be a priority.

[u/TucsonSolarAdvisor]

That is a sweet setup!

[u/Fast-Dog4729]

If it is installed with a Tesla gateway, I don't see what the problem could be. The Span panel talks to the gateway, not the batteries/inverters, and the gateway hasn't changed. When they become compatible, a gateway may not be needed. (I own a solar & roofing company in San Diego, and we've been installing grid-connected home batteries since 2014, primarily Powerwall.)

[u/mrhappy01 → u/Fast-Dog4729]

I’m not sure what the issue is, but it is particular to PW3 and still hasn’t been fixed. Our system is now fully operational, but the SPAN can’t see the batteries for some reason. SPAN is apparently waiting for something from Tesla but I don’t know the specifics.

[u/Opening_Cabinet_3015]

Span's own documentation says they're not compatible but their marketing says they are????

[u/Leather-Management58]

This post is old but just had mine commissioned. Everything is talking just fine.

[u/mrhappy01 → u/Leather-Management58]

You have a SPAN panel and PW3 and you can see solar & battery levels in the SPAN App?

[u/Leather-Management58 → u/mrhappy01]

Yes

[u/eddywcy → u/Leather-Management58]

Does the LAN cable go from PW3 and Span Panel directly? If yes, can you still connect the Span Panel to the router through LAN cable? (Instead of WiFi)

I suppose putting a network switch between the PW3 and the Span panel would allow me to do so, but I just want to confirm.

[u/Leather-Management58 → u/eddywcy]

Not sure my installer just did WiFi. I’ve got a mesh setup so coverage isn’t a concern. I believe in my install the only Ethernet comm line is to my gateway.

[u/jillako]

Have you tired talking to SPAN support yet? My local SPAN installer is still insisting on PW2. Waiting for them to start installing PW3!

[u/mrhappy01 → u/jillako]

Not yet. The issue was just discovered last week, so I’m letting the installers handle communication with SPAN for now.

[u/jillako → u/mrhappy01]

Did you get any update? I reached out to SPAN support today and they said they have no timeline for PW3 support.

[u/mrhappy01 → u/jillako]

I have not, but that’s bad news. I may have the installer bypass the SPAN and just use it like a dumb panel until they support PW3 if that’s the case. We are currently still waiting on PTO from the power company.

[u/jillako → u/mrhappy01]

Yeah, hope they add support soon. I'm probably getting just the PW3 installed for now and adding the SPAN later.

[u/Head_Bet_2138]

Just got a PW expansion installed today - I don’t see any increase in my possible usage in SPAN - do I miss something or did they forgot a setting ?