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Solar & Powerwall Referrals: What the Referrer Actually Gets
Most referral coverage is written for the buyer. This one's for the person sharing the code on a solar or Powerwall order — and the separate $500-per-unit rebate that's easy to mix up with it.
Most of what gets written about Tesla referrals is aimed at the buyer. This one's aimed at the other side: if you're the person sharing a code for a solar, Solar Roof, or Powerwall order, here's exactly what lands in your account — and what doesn't.
What the referrer earns
A successful solar or Powerwall referral pays the referrer $250 in Tesla Credits — the same figure, same currency, as a vehicle referral. It's capped at 10 referrals per calendar year, and it arrives as credits, not cash, meant to be spent inside the Tesla ecosystem: Supercharging, accessories, upgrades.
What the buyer gets, for comparison
The person using the code saves $400 off a solar panel, Solar Roof, or Powerwall order. That's a straight discount on their side, not credits.
The rebate that's easy to mix up with this
Here's the part I want to be precise about: separately from any referral, eligible customers can get a $500 rebate per Powerwall 3 installed — including Powerwall 3 Expansion units. That $500 is a manufacturer rebate, not a referral reward, and it has nothing to do with whether anyone used a code on the order. If you're comparing notes with a friend and one of you mentions "$500," make sure you're both talking about the same program — the Powerwall rebate and the referrer's $250 credit are two different things that happen to both involve Tesla energy products.
What this means if you're the one sharing the code
If you've already got a Tesla account and a friend shopping solar or a Powerwall, send your code before they configure — same rule as with a vehicle order. It won't get them the Powerwall 3 rebate; that's theirs to claim on eligibility, separately. But it will get you your $250 once their order goes through, on top of whatever else they qualify for. I've written up the mechanics of a solar referral in more detail here if you want the order-flow specifics.
What it doesn't change
None of this touches the vehicle side of the program. A Model 3, Model Y, or eligible Cybertruck order is still counted as a separate referral transaction from a solar or Powerwall order — the same friend can use your code for both if they end up ordering a car and a Powerwall down the line.
Sources
Everything above is checked against these before publishing, and again whenever the note is updated.
Independent field notes by Alex Marchetti. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Tesla, Inc. If you order using the code in the site header or the bar at the bottom of the screen, a real Tesla owner may earn Tesla Credits — it costs you nothing and never changes your reward.