Anyone keeping an ear on Tesla today?

[russ]

On what do you base your certainty ?

BS and blather

[J.P.M.]

There's undoubtedly a software piece to the Tesla system we haven't seen yet. I'm sure there is an embedded linux system in that box that can be wifi or cell connected.

But if a solar home is using most of what is generated during the day, a battery will never make much sense. I'm sure the percent of residential solar generated that goes to the grid is well know.

On what do you base your certainty ?

[pleppik]

The utilities are so stupid they haven't thought of this? Nope - if it is real (questionable today) it is a far bigger thing for them than any home owner. They can buy wholesale power from the hydros in Oregon/Washington for not much at night - maybe 30$ per mW and sell it as peak power for several hundred per mW.

Tesla also announced utility-scale battery systems, so yes, apparently someone did think of this.

They didn't give pricing for the utility systems, but it's probably safe to assume that the price per KW for utilities is lower than the $300/KW they're charging for the residential systems.

At $300/KW for utility-scale batteries, there's studies for California and Texas that show batteries are a cheaper alternative to building gas-fired peakers.

[donald]

I am sure there are some areas of the US that using battery power during the higher Tier times may make it worth while. Problem is setting up the "switching" system to go between grid and battery at the correct times. Could get complicated if someone in the household didn't follow the "energy usage plan".

There's undoubtedly a software piece to the Tesla system we haven't seen yet. I'm sure there is an embedded linux system in that box that can be wifi or cell connected.

But if a solar home is using most of what is generated during the day, a battery will never make much sense. I'm sure the percent of residential solar generated that goes to the grid is well know.

[SunEagle]

Current SoCal Edison TOU-D-A super off-peak vs. on-peak differential is $0.35, so using your example it is about $6,400 over 10 years if you charge at it night, so it can be made to look more attractive to some potential buyers...

CORRECTION: $0.35 is summer only, $0.25 for winter, so overall less than I stated above

I am sure there are some areas of the US that using battery power during the higher Tier times may make it worth while. Problem is setting up the "switching" system to go between grid and battery at the correct times. Could get complicated if someone in the household didn't follow the "energy usage plan".

[russ]

Current SoCal Edison TOU-D-A super off-peak vs. on-peak differential is $0.35, so using your example it is about $6,400 over 10 years if you charge at it night, so it can be made to look more attractive to some potential buyers...

CORRECTION: $0.35 is summer only, $0.25 for winter, so overall less than I stated above

The utilities are so stupid they haven't thought of this? Nope - if it is real (questionable today) it is a far bigger thing for them than any home owner. They can buy wholesale power from the hydros in Oregon/Washington for not much at night - maybe 30$ per mW and sell it as peak power for several hundred per mW.

[gvl]

They do not provide the expected "cycle count" or DOD for each cycle.

A quick back of napkin calculation get your at a 50% DOD daily for 10 year on the 10kWh unit will equal ~ 18250kWh. At $0.15/kWh from the POCO you would be spending ~ $2750 which is still less then that $3500 price. Once you add in the Dealer's markup, taxes, installation and the inverter it becomes less attractive.

So IMHO they are still too expensive for most of the US based on the average electric rates.

Current SoCal Edison TOU-D-A super off-peak vs. on-peak differential is $0.35, so using your example it is about $6,400 over 10 years if you charge at it night, so it can be made to look more attractive to some potential buyers...

CORRECTION: $0.35 is summer only, $0.25 for winter, so overall less than I stated above

[skoolpsyk]

seems like it could really benefit homes and companies that could make use of time of use metering, even if not completely off the grid...

i think also that it will be pretty popular with new solar installs since they will already be doing the install and inverter at that time anyway...

step in the right direction anyhow; good for them!

[SunEagle]

also it has a continuous power capacity of 2kw with a peak of 3kw, so most homes would need at least 2 if not 3 of these stacked to be able to run well pumps etc. in backup situations.

Good point. It really isn't more than a small back up system.

Maybe the best comparison would be the cost to purchase and run a 2000watt inverter style generator or purchase and install a Tesla battery system including the inverter.

[ButchDeal]

They do not provide the expected "cycle count" or DOD for each cycle.

A quick back of napkin calculation get your at a 50% DOD daily for 10 year on the 10kWh unit will equal ~ 18250kWh. At $0.15/kWh from the POCO you would be spending ~ $2750 which is still less then that $3500 price. Once you add in the Dealer's markup, taxes, installation and the inverter it becomes less attractive.

So IMHO they are still too expensive for most of the US based on the average electric rates.

also it has a continuous power capacity of 2kw with a peak of 3kw, so most homes would need at least 2 if not 3 of these stacked to be able to run well pumps etc. in backup situations.

[SunEagle]

http://www.teslamotors.com/presskit/teslaenergy

Called Power Wall. 7kwh and 10kWh at $3000 and $3500 to dealers respectively. Designed for daily discharge. Seems like a pretty good price and product IMHO.

They do not provide the expected "cycle count" or DOD for each cycle.

A quick back of napkin calculation get your at a 50% DOD daily for 10 year on the 10kWh unit will equal ~ 18250kWh. At $0.15/kWh from the POCO you would be spending ~ $2750 which is still less then that $3500 price. Once you add in the Dealer's markup, taxes, installation and the inverter it becomes less attractive.

So IMHO they are still too expensive for most of the US based on the average electric rates.

[russ]

http://www.teslamotors.com/presskit/teslaenergy

Called Power Wall. 7kwh and 10kWh at $3000 and $3500 to dealers respectively. Designed for daily discharge. Seems like a pretty good price and product IMHO.

Your "humble opinion" is based on what?

[easye]

http://www.teslamotors.com/presskit/teslaenergy

Called Power Wall. 7kwh and 10kWh at $3000 and $3500 to dealers respectively. Designed for daily discharge. Seems like a pretty good price and product IMHO.

[SleepingDragon]

They're announcing some battery system for homes they're going to sell.

I'm in the market for my mom's ranch in NC so I've literally been holding out on that project waiting for today.

Truth be told... I'm actually awaiting for more news of Enphase's battery system. Last I heard was that it was going to be modular and expandable. Unless the pricing of the batteries are going to be cheap and I can figure out how to add more panels to justified going off grid, I don't see myself using batteries that soon.

[Amy@altE]

The announcement is at an event tonight. I'll probably be asleep by then, but will read about it with interest while I enjoy tomorrow morning's coffee.