Part of investors’ fascination with Tesla has long been the company’s focus on the evolution of manufacturing hardware and software. The plan to integrate energy generation and storage — to “create stunning solar roofs with seamlessly integrated battery storage,” as described in Master Plan, Part Deux — has also provided allure. Sure, the Tesla acquisition of SolarCity and how it has been rolled into Tesla has been controversial, but solar is a necessary element of Tesla’s EV + solar power + battery storage vision for a sustainable future.
When, on April 6, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a confirmed visit to Buffalo to scope out the RiverBend plant, a 96-acre site at a sharp turn on the Buffalo River, the media, plant workers, and Tesla fans were all a-flutter. No, Musk has not spent much time on the premises at what’s called Gigafactory 2 (perhaps no time before this), but he has personally supervised the design and testing of the solar tiles that are Tesla’s next-gen solar rooftop product there.
Tesla’s vision for an independent renewable energy future is growing on people, and Musk says this will be the biggest year yet (by far) for the energy portion of the company.
The Energy Triumvirate: Transportation, Home Solar, & Battery Storage
What happens when a family opts to spend tens of thousands of dollars for a renewable energy system consisting of an all-electric EV, a solar system with a couple dozen panels, and a smart battery situated in the cellar?
On sunny days, photovoltaic panels can supply all of the household’s electricity needs and charge their car’s electric battery, too. Once these areas are replenished, the rooftop-generated power can supply what the stationary battery needs, extending the home’s capacity for nighttime energy demand and cloudy days. If all those needs are met, the unit’s digital control system automatically sends any excess energy into the power grid, typically offering the family some compensation from the local grid company.
Click Here to Read Full Article
Recent Comments