Mercedes-Benz is\u00a0following Tesla into the home energy business with the announcement that the brand\u2019s UK arm is readying delivery of its first energy storage units \u2013 and an Australian launch is imminent.<\/p>\n
The lithium-ion battery systems are based on the same technology\u00a0Mercedes-Benz has been utilising in its hybrid and electric vehicles since 2012. The company has put 80,000 such models on the road worldwide in that period, and Mercedes-Benz Energy says the\u00a0battery storage systems \u2013 combined with renewable energy sources \u2013 will allow private homes to increase their consumption of self-generated energy by up to 65 per cent.<\/p>\n
The modular battery systems can be had with up to eight modules of 2.5kWh each, up to 20kWh, for home installations, while industrial applications could be even higher.<\/p>\n
These sorts of systems allow homes with solar arrays to store surplus energy with no loss back to the grid, and buyers need to keep in mind that the system will need a few components: the solar panels, a battery inverter, energy management system and the MB Energy system.<\/p>\n
Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed that it is set to follow suit with the Mercedes-Benz Energy home storage systems, which will be available to pay off through an allied energy company. That company is yet to be confirmed. The local arm will also aim to offer its battery systems for industrial applications.<\/p>\n
The system is similar to the Tesla Powerwall, though we\u2019ve not yet seen Mercedes-Benz branch as far into home energy as Tesla \u2013 the latter has introduced a new Solar Roof tile that will double as a roof surface and ray catcher.<\/p>\n