The sudden popularity of solar energy has resulted in the increased demand for solar energy equipment. Millions of residents nationwide have already installed PV solar panels on their roof. The number is projected to balloon until 2020. With the high demand for this technology, it pays to know the science behind it and why you should consider installing this type of system in the first place.
A solar panel system is generally comprised of the photovoltaic panels and energy storage batteries. The panels convert the light energy into usable electric energy. Depending on the demand, the energy might be used to power the house or be stored in a storage battery. There are several brands of solar energy storage batteries. One of the most highly commended choices is made by Tesla Motors.
Brief company background
Tesla Motors is an American company known for its innovative electric cars. They are among the pioneers in using sustainable and clean energy to power vehicles. Today, one of the main target markets of Tesla Motors is the home energy storage sector. Their most well-known battery to-date is the Powerwall.
What is the Tesla power battery?
The Tesla Powerwall is a home battery designed to become a backup source of energy when the grid suffers from power outages. It’s surprisingly small but it can store all of the unused energy during the day, so it can be allotted for future use. It is easy to install because of its user-friendly features. On top of that, it’s maintenance free, and it comes with an app where you can monitor the available stored energy supply.
Unlike other batteries in the market, it can detect power grid surges. It automatically shifts into the stored solar power during blackouts. It is the perfect addition to your homes if you want uninterrupted use of electricity.
How much is the Powerwall battery?
The Powerwall battery is currently sold at $6,600 for one device plus the supporting equipment. There are additional costs involved, so you should contact an authorized seller from Tesla Motors. They will need to check your solar panels, evaluate your energy use, and assess the location where you want to install the battery. All these factors affect the final price of the product and the installation service. The usual price range for the installation is around $2,000 to $8,000.
How does it work?
Tesla utilised their technology for the solar storage batteries from their electric vehicles. The Powerwall is designed to store all unused energy instead of being discarded back into the grid. This way, during the night, when the PV panels do not convert energy, your house can still harness the excess energy stored in the battery.
While it’s expensive to go completely off-the-grid, having a Powerwall can help you significantly lower your monthly utility bills. One battery alone can provide enough energy to power the house for a few hours, even during stormy or cloudy days.
What do customers say about the Powerwall?
50,000 homes have already installed Powerwall. Tesla’s target market is South Australia. Generally, most of the current customers are very happy with the success of the battery. However, most of the interested customers complain about the high costs of purchasing and installing the battery pack. Tesla defends that the raise is mostly for scaling up the project.
There are websites like SolarCompare.org where you can learn more about solar panel systems. Solar energy is a worth-it investment, most especially in Australia where it’s sunny all year round. Make sure you get to know all the available solar panel options in your area, so you can get the best deals.
