Since Hurricane Beryl, we’ve been hearing from a lot more Houstonians who want to add batteries to their existing solar panel systems. With grid failures becoming more common and extreme weather seemingly hitting harder every year, backup power isn’t just a luxury anymore—it’s become a necessity. For years, Tesla Powerwall was our go-to option- and it still remains a good one, but in 2025, it no longer tops our list. The new Franklin aPower 2 has officially taken the top spot, offering better performance, smarter features, and more reliability.
5 Reasons Why Franklin aPower 2 Tops Tesla Powerwall 3
1. More Storage Capacity than Powerwall 3
The aPower 2 delivers 15 kWh of capacity, exceeding the Tesla Powerwall 3’s 13.5 kWh by over 10%. This added energy storage gives you more flexibility to power high-demand appliances like air conditioners and heaters during outages, helping you stay comfortable longer in a grid-down scenario.
2. Black Start Capability
One of the most impressive features of the Franklin aPower 2 is its black start capability. In the event of a complete grid failure, the aPower 2 can restart your PV system independently—without requiring external power sources. Tesla’s Powerwall 3 lacks this feature when retrofitted to an existing PV system. This means that if your Tesla Powerwall 3 completely drains in a grid down scenario, your battery gets “bricked” and neither your solar panels or your battery will work until the grid comes back online again.
3. Superior Warranty
Another standout feature of the Franklin aPower 2 is its impressive 15-year warranty, covering up to 60 MWh of energy throughput. In comparison, the Tesla’s Powerwall 3 comes with a 10-year warranty, providing significantly less long term coverage. Franklin’s long-term warranty not only reflects confidence in the durability and reliability of it’s product, but also ensures that homeowner’s receive greater long-term value and peace of mind.
4. Generator Compatibility
For homeowners seeking additional redundancy, the Franklin aPower 2 can seamlessly integrate with backup generators. This hybrid approach ensures continuous power, even during prolonged outages or extended low-sunlight periods. The aPower 2 intelligently manages power flow between solar, battery storage, and generators, optimizing energy usage for maximum efficiency. Tesla Powerwall 3, on the other hand, does not offer any type of generator integration capability.
5. Built-In Load Control for Smarter Energy Management
A final noteworthy advantage of the Franklin aPower 2 over Tesla Powerwall 3 is its built-in load control feature. This allows homeowners to prioritize two 240v loads and automatically manage power distribution from them without needing an external load control device. In contrast, Tesla’s Powerwall requires additional components to achieve similar functionality, adding to the complexity and cost of installation. With Franklin aPower 2, you get smarter energy management right out of the box, ensuring you maximize your battery’s efficiency during an outage or peak demand periods.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best battery backup on the market to compliment your PV system, the Franklin aPower 2 has now dethroned Tesla Powerwall 3 as our battery of choice. With best in class features and specs and a superior warranty, it’s the ideal backup solution to handle any prolonged power outages that Houston’s extreme climate and suspect grid infrastructure threaten to inflict on your home in 2025. To learn more or order one or more of these for yourself, call us at 832-844-5790 or drop us a line and we’ll get right back to you.