Solar experts would agree electricity is one of the most important renewable resources on the planet. But with billions of people using it on a daily basis, it’s actually causing a strain on electrical grids around the world. Tesla Motors took this issue into its own hands to create the Tesla Energy, a line of batteries for homes and business that will relieve pressure from grids and generate energy.
So, what’s this battery all about?
And you thought Tesla’s only job was to produce top-notch, luxury vehicles that only a fraction of the world could afford. In fact, Tesla is acting on behalf of the solar experts. It’s more than just an automotive company, but an energy innovation company.
Tesla Energy is designed to foster a clean energy ecosystem by weaning the world off of fossil fuels that are relied on on a daily basis, hence the strain on the electrical grids across the world.
The house batteries – dubbed the Powerwall – is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery designed to do the following:
It stores sustainable and renewable energy – The battery can provide homeowners with long-term financial savings by charging during low-rate periods when demand for electricity is lower and discharging during high demand periods.
Manages power demand – The battery can store a surplus of energy when energy isn’t used, which will then kick in when the sun isn’t shining and the energy is required.
Provides backup power – The device is designed to fuel your home with energy in the event of a power outage since it stores energy, so you won’t have to sit in the cold and darkness for an unknown period of time.
Increases grid resilience – “By pulling homes and businesses off the grid during peak hours, America’s electrical infrastructure would see greater stability. With enough people on board (and critical mass of adoption is obviously a ways into the future) we’d likely see fewer brownouts in our cities,” reads Tesla’s press release.
Hint: Scroll down to find out what our solar expert has to say!
Essentially, it gives your home the ability to become power independent since energy can be stored up during the day and used at night.
That means the battery can grab power for your home from the electrical company at night when electricity rates are lower and use it during the day when you’d be spending top dollar for energy.
At the end of the day, you’ll spend less on your electricity bill overtime.”By pulling homes and businesses off the grid during peak hours, America’s electrical infrastructure would see greater stability. With enough people on board (and critical mass of adoption is obviously a ways into the future) we’d likely see fewer brownouts in our cities,” reads Tesla’s press release.
The Powerwall comes in 7 and 10 kilowatt-hour batteries and can be stacked based on the amount of energy used up in your home. They increase your home’s energy capacity and can be installed on the wall in your garage or outside of your home. It’s small size – 3 feet across, 4 feet tall and 6 inches deep – is what makes the device so remarkable. It’s both a space and energy-saver, making it a win-win product.
Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty, giving you 10 good years of energy saving and consumption.
Why should a home run on a battery?
According to Tesla, the world consumes 20 trillion kWh of energy on an annual basis. In the United States, one third of all fossil fuel consumed in the country is electricity production. As a result, there’s a continuous strain on the grid and when that happens, it can lead to rolling blackouts.
That’s why we need to start looking at other ways of producing energy to ensure the grid doesn’t fall apart.
How does this battery differ from others?
As it turns out, batteries for a home are not uncommon, says Nani Predeepan of New Dawn Energy Solutions.
“That device is nothing new. It has been existing on the market, so there are many lithium battery manufacturers,” he says, adding that what Tesla has done is provided homeowners with a domestic device that appeals to homeowners because of how it will look in a house. “Tesla has done that job very nicely.”
“It’s not uncommon, but going forward it will be,” he says, adding it’s not too far in the future. “It’s already happening in Germany.”
Homes operated by batteries would require a whole bunch of batteries connected to each other. A traditional home battery, on the other hand, takes up a lot of space and is very expensive, which is why Predeepan says Tesla’s new product is successful.
“What Teslas has come up with is a lithium battery packaged nicely to fit in your homes,” he says, adding the device will not only add value to a home, but its design and purpose will easily attract homeowners.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Powerwall, courtesy of Elon Musk and Tesla:
How much does it cost?
The Powerwall battery, which is a single device that doesn’t require individual batteries, ranges from $3,000 to $3,500, as per a Tesla news release.
This is what Predeepan had to say about the cost:
“The convenient cost is immeasurable,” he says. “If you can get it, you can’t put a value on it. It all comes down to availability and convenience.”
What are other people saying about the device?
Tesla has teamed up with a variety of energy sources and companies to promote and sell the product, including Treehouse, a sustainable home energy store. Here’s what they had to say about the device:
“For the first time, running your home on a battery will be affordable and easy,” says TreeHouse co-founder and president Jason Ballard. “I think in the near future, having a battery in your home will be as normal as having a water heater or a dishwasher.” Ballard added, “This just takes us one step closer to being able to power homes completely without the use of fossil fuels.”
Do you think your home will benefit from the Tesla Powerwall? They’re set to deliver in the summer, so there’s time to decide. If you’re not sure, why not contact the solar experts at New Dawn Energy Solutions? They’ll help you decide what’s right for your home.
