US electric carmaker Tesla Motors has
unveiled batteries that can power
homes and businesses as it attempts
to expand beyond its vehicle
business.
Chief e
xecutive Elon Musk announced
the firm would build batteries that store
solar energy and serve as a back-up
system for consumers during blackouts.
The device would allow consumers to get
off a power grid or bring energy to
remote areas that are not on a grid.
Tesla plans to start shipping the units to
installers in the US by this summer.
In a highly anticipated event near Los
Angeles, Mr Musk said the move could
help change the "entire energy
infrastructure of the world".
"Tesla Energy is a critical step in this
mission to enable zero emission power
generation," the company said in a
statement.
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery unit
would be built using the same batteries
Tesla produces for its electric vehicles,
analysts said.
The system is called Powerwall, and Tesla
will sell the 7kWh unit for $3,000
(£1,954), while the 10kWh unit will retail
for $3,500 (£2,275) to installers.
Energy comparison firm USwitch
estimates that one kWh can power two
days of work on a laptop, a full washing
machine cycle or be used to boil a kettle
10 times.
Mr Musk said the company would
partner with SolarCity to install the home
batteries, but there would be more
companies announced.
Mr Musk is SolarCity's chairman and
largest shareholder.
unveiled batteries that can power
homes and businesses as it attempts
to expand beyond its vehicle
business.
Chief e
xecutive Elon Musk announced
the firm would build batteries that store
solar energy and serve as a back-up
system for consumers during blackouts.
The device would allow consumers to get
off a power grid or bring energy to
remote areas that are not on a grid.
Tesla plans to start shipping the units to
installers in the US by this summer.
In a highly anticipated event near Los
Angeles, Mr Musk said the move could
help change the "entire energy
infrastructure of the world".
"Tesla Energy is a critical step in this
mission to enable zero emission power
generation," the company said in a
statement.
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery unit
would be built using the same batteries
Tesla produces for its electric vehicles,
analysts said.
The system is called Powerwall, and Tesla
will sell the 7kWh unit for $3,000
(£1,954), while the 10kWh unit will retail
for $3,500 (£2,275) to installers.
Energy comparison firm USwitch
estimates that one kWh can power two
days of work on a laptop, a full washing
machine cycle or be used to boil a kettle
10 times.
Mr Musk said the company would
partner with SolarCity to install the home
batteries, but there would be more
companies announced.
Mr Musk is SolarCity's chairman and
largest shareholder.
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