Critics don’t think Tesla can sell enough home batteries to justify its acquisition of SolarCity, but what they’re underestimating is the potential for innovation the Gigafactory brings.
Lithium is used in Tesla Energy batteries for businesses and utility companies.
Patrick Fallon/ Reuters
The ‘early adopters’ of home battery storage will pay significantly more than those who come later, but it won’t be long until prices drop enough for many more to get on board.
The Supreme Court will decide a case that will have a big effect on distributed energy technology, including batteries.
Tesla
The Supreme Court hears a case that will decide whether homes and businesses can earn money from distributed energy technologies, including demand response and home battery systems.
But can you make an EV at half the price of that one?
Maurizio Pesce/flickr
Fancy new battery technology is great – but still far off the scale required to put a serious dent in carbon usage.
Batteries can cut carbon emissions, but mining the metals and other resources needed to make them can be a dirty business.
Jon Seb Barber/Wikimedia Commons
The advent of battery storage heralds an even deeper embrace of electric cars and renewable energy. But amid the green tech revolution, we should be wary of creating new pollution problems.
You WILL build the world’s fastest electric car for me.
OnInnovation/flickr
As it’s done with its electric cars, Tesla will need to rely on well-heeled early technology adopters and friendly regulations to sell lots of home batteries.
Batteries combined with digital technologies will improve the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid, transforming how people use their energy.