Last night, as promised, Tesla unveiled the new, non-automotive product line it had previously teased--confirming that the carmaker will enter the energy-storage business. Under the Tesla Energy brand, the electric-car manufacturer will also sell lithium-ion batteries for utilities, businesses, and houses. The batteries can store electricity generated through solar panels for later use--greatly increasing their utility.
The sun doesn't shine at night, CEO Elon Musk noted in his remarks at the unveiling of the new product line at the company's design studio in Hawthorne, California. Batteries can store electricity generated during times of peak production, allowing users to rely more heavily on solar power.
But, Musk said, "The issue with existing batteries is they suck."
Tesla Powerwall Home Battery
The first product to market for the new business will be the Powerwall Home Battery. Presumably, it won't suck. Tesla expects customers to use this wall-mounted lithium-ion battery pack to increase solar-energy consumption, as well as to take advantage of lower rates from utility companies by charging during off-peak times.
The battery can also work as a backup power source during outages, Tesla says. The Powerwall will be offered in two configurations: a 7-kilowatt-hour unit that will sell for $3,000, and a 10-kWH unit for $3,500 to installers.
Those prices include exclude the cost of an inverter and installation. Deliveries will begin in "late summer."
Tesla Energy will also offer batteries for business use that it says are "based on the powertrain architecture and components" of the company's electric cars.
Tesla Energy for utilities
The appeal here lies in cost savings from increased use of electricity from on-site solar arrays, as well as electricity absorbed from the grid during off-peak times.
Tesla says batteries can also be programmed to release power during a facility's time of highest usage--helping to avoid demand charges from utilities.
This and other system-management functions will be performed with software from EnerNOC designed to integrate with all Tesla energy-storage sites.
Tesla has quietly tested its energy-storage systems over the past year with businesses, including Wal-Mart. Amazon and Target have signed on for pilot programs as well. The third part of the Tesla Energy triad will be large-scale energy storage for utilities.
Tesla will offer 100-kWh "battery blocks" that can be assembled into grid-storage arrays ranging from 500 kWh to 10 MWh in capacity.
0 коментарі:
Post a Comment