The rumor machine mentioned this again and again over the past few weeks. Apparently, Tesla not only wants to revolutionize the way we travel, but also how we store energy in our homes. Its alternative is Powerwall, a lithium battery designed to eliminate all the problems associated with classic batteries, including maintenance and aesthetics. Has something new started here, or does Tesla's vision clash too quickly with reality?
Elon Musk took the stage very relaxed, sometimes following the humor from the audience. His announcement is very important for his company, especially because it's no longer about convincing consumers to adopt an electric car, but rather making room in their homes for Tesla technology. Musk explained that the surface area needed to create an installation that allows the United States to abandon fossil-fuel electricity generation is extremely low, and even lower is the amount of batteries. But at that moment he injected a dose of honesty by saying that current batteries suck... and he's right. A traditional solar configuration requires a dedicated space for battery storage, which must also be easily accessible, and fundamentally safe in case of spills, or something worse.
This is how Powerwall manifests itself. This battery, which at first glance could be mistaken for a futuristic refrigerator, can be installed indoors and outdoors, hung on the wall. Two models will be available, one with 10 kWh, and another with 7 kWh. Almost 1.3 meters tall, 83.8 centimeters wide, and 17.7 centimeters thick make this battery much larger than we can judge from the images, and its total weight reaches 100 kilograms, so it will require professional installation. Even so, the physical demand of Powerwall is much lower than a traditional configuration, and if necessary, its system allows chaining a maximum of nine units. Those who need even more capacity can acquire the Powerpack variant, intended for businesses and factories. The Powerwall presentation was delayed for more than an hour, but it was justified when Musk revealed that all the energy consumed up to that point had been stored in Powerpacks, recharged by the solar panels on the roof.
I imagine you want to know the prices of this new toy. Well, let's say Elon didn't leave us in the dark on that data: $3,500 for the 10 kWh version, and $3,000 for the 7 kWh one. It is estimated that the first units will be available in three or four months (only in the United States; international battery shipping is chaotic), and the warranty for each unit will be ten years. If we consider that competitor offers with similar specifications cost three times as much, Tesla could have a winning card with Powerwall, but it all comes down to each user's personal economics. In the case of a solar application, the investment doesn't end at $3,500; we must also add the inverter and the installation cost. If energy is very cheap where you live, making the switch to Powerwall could become a very expensive mission, but the future seems to be on Tesla's side. Once its Gigafactory comes online, it should make Powerwalls like candy.
