Tesla unveils batteries to power homes

Electric carmaker Tesla Motors is attempting to expand beyond its vehicles business by unveilling batteries that can power homes and businesses, through storing solar energy.

The device, which would be implemented as a back-up system for consumers during black out, would allow consumers to get off a power grid or bring energy to remote areas that are not on a grid. Analysts have said that the rechargeable lithium-ion battery unit would be built using the same batteries that are used to produce Tesla’s electric vehicles.

The company have said in a statement that: “Tesla Energy is a critical step in this mission to enable zero emission power generation.”

Tesla will sell the 7kWh unit, named Powerwall, for £1,954, while the 10kWh unit will retail for £2,275 to installers. According to Deutsche Bank, the sales of battery storage systems for homes and businesses could yield as much as £2.94 billion in revenue for Tesla.

Alasdair Cameron, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy campaigner, said having solar panels and a home battery in the future could become as common as central heating.

Cameron said: ”Just as the internet changed the way we use information so renewable sources, like wind and solar, are changing the way we make and use energy - and electricity storage is an important part of that change. Cheaper and more efficient energy storage means individuals and businesses could save renewable energy until they need it, hugely reducing the need for climate-changing fossil fuels."

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