Custom Schedule
A Custom Schedule automation runs a single action at a specific time each day — on the days and months you choose. It’s the simplest way to automate your Powerwall’s behavior on a predictable schedule.
What it does
Section titled “What it does”When a Custom Schedule automation fires, it can:
- Switch operational mode — change your Powerwall between self-consumption and autonomous mode
- Toggle Storm Watch — turn Storm Watch on or off
- Set battery reserve — change the minimum charge percentage your battery keeps in reserve
- Any combination of the above in a single automation
When to use it
Section titled “When to use it”Custom Schedule is the right choice when you want something to happen at a fixed time, regardless of your actual energy usage. Examples:
- Switch to self-consumption mode at 4 PM every weekday to maximize battery use during peak hours
- Set battery reserve to 0% at midnight (to allow full discharge overnight)
- Turn Storm Watch off every Monday morning after weekend storm season
- Switch to autonomous mode every Sunday when your solar forecast is uncertain
Creating a Custom Schedule automation
Section titled “Creating a Custom Schedule automation”-
Go to Automations and click + Add Automation
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Select the Custom Schedule tab
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Give your automation a name (required)
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Set the trigger time — this is when the automation runs each day, in your account timezone
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Choose what action to take:
- Operational Mode: check this box and choose Self-Powered or Autonomous
- Storm Watch: check this box and choose On or Off
- Battery Reserve: check this box and enter a percentage (0–100%)
You must select at least one action.
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Set the schedule:
- Choose which days of the week the automation runs (default: Mon–Fri)
- Choose which months it’s active (default: all months)
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Click Create Automation
Settings reference
Section titled “Settings reference”| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Label shown on your automation card | Required |
| Description | Optional note to yourself | Empty |
| Trigger Time | Exact time the automation fires (24-hour format) | 08:00 |
| Operational Mode | Switches Powerwall mode at trigger time | Off |
| → Self-Powered | Battery-first, minimizes grid draw | — |
| → Autonomous | Tesla manages automatically | — |
| Storm Watch | Enables or disables Storm Watch at trigger time | Off |
| → On | Activates Storm Watch (charges to 100%) | — |
| → Off | Deactivates Storm Watch | — |
| Battery Reserve | Sets the minimum battery reserve % | Off |
| Days of Week | Which days the automation runs | Mon–Fri |
| Months | Which months the automation is active | All months |
Operational modes explained
Section titled “Operational modes explained”Self-Powered (Self-Consumption) Your Powerwall prioritizes powering your home from solar and battery before drawing from the grid. When battery is depleted, the system switches to grid power. This mode gives you the most control over when you draw from the grid.
Autonomous Tesla manages your Powerwall automatically based on time-of-use rates, weather forecasts, and usage patterns. Best if you’re on a time-of-use rate plan and want Tesla’s algorithms to optimize for you. Less predictable day-to-day, but often optimal over time.
Storm Watch explained
Section titled “Storm Watch explained”Storm Watch is a Tesla feature that charges your Powerwall to 100% and holds a high reserve when severe weather is forecast in your area. It overrides your normal reserve settings.
This is usually helpful, but can interfere with automations. For example: if Storm Watch activates and charges your battery to 100%, a DemandGuard automation might not be able to discharge it as planned.
A Custom Schedule automation can turn Storm Watch off at a specific time if you want to prevent it from interfering with your energy strategy.
Plan limits
Section titled “Plan limits”- Free plan: One active Custom Schedule automation at a time. You can have more created — just enable/disable them as needed.
- Premium / DemandGuard: Unlimited active automations.
See Subscription Tiers for details.