Tesla has been attempting to come to terms with the Indian government on an electric vehicle production plant for several years, but the talks have gotten more intense over the past few months as the automaker wants to build a factory that would produce a $24,000 car.

CEO Elon Musk has said this year that Tesla will hopefully come to terms with the Indian government this year, with the big bottleneck being the two parties not able to agree on terms regarding import duties that would allow the company to test demand by sending cars from other countries.

These duties price out many customers as, in some cases, they can double the price of a car. However, there has been more movement in the direction of an agreement in terms of this year, and it may not involve importing.

Now, Reuters is reporting that Tesla is planning to take it a step further by building energy storage products in India. Tesla is proposing that it could support India’s battery storage capabilities with the Powerwall, which stores excess energy generated from solar panels.

Tesla and India may not come to terms on import duties, but the plan to bring a wider business model to the country may be the bridge that is needed to make a deal.

One source said that the government wants to help create a fair business model for Tesla as it could offer subsidies for those who purchase energy storage products.

Tesla and the Indian government are still reviewing the proposal, and they are reportedly “keen” on the idea. However, it is still under review.

The source also said:

“Large policy level calibration will be required. Tesla’s intent is to have the Powerwall business in India.”

Tesla could be India’s answer to peak-time shortages and demand surges as the country has boosted supply to towns and villages. India is dependent on coal-based power generation, and its 1.4 billion people depend on non-renewable sources for nearly 58 percent of its energy needs. Non-fossil fuels make up the remaining percentage, with Solar being the biggest contributor, according to the country’s Ministry of Power.

Powerwall would help residents avoid outage issues, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was extremely interested in how it could help farmers when he met with Tesla brass in 2015.

“Enjoyed discussion on how battery technology can help farmers,” he said. Musk also said he had a productive talk with Modi about solar and how batteries and storage systems can empower rural communities.

“The Prime Minister was very keen to see how we could utilize the battery power ball concept to leapfrog development in India,” Vikas Swarup, Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in 2015.

Tesla just recently launched a new version of the Powerwall as well, which offers new and improved specifications that will help keep the lights on longer and avoid outages.

Tesla Powerwall 3 specs officially listed on company website

Please email me with questions and comments at joey@teslarati.com. I’d love to chat! You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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The project could expand to 1 GW/4GWh, as it has already landed the necessary approvals to potentially grow to support more sustainable energy reliance in the future.

It is Neoen’s first battery project that could support a four-hour long duration, as it currently operates five other BESS projects in Australia. This one is the largest and will be able to support times when energy is most needed by the grid to encourage stability.

Neoen has already provided Tesla with notices to proceed with its production and delivery of 2XL Megapack units, indicating Stage 1 of the project is already underway.

According to ReviewEconomy Australia, Neoen will be contracted for two years and will be tasked to make 197MW of battery storage capacity available for four hours, between 10 am and 2 pm, to charge, helping to stabilize energy needs and lift demand levels off the grid during peak times. It will also be required to withstand the evening peak and take pressure off the grid. This time slot falls between 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

The value of the project has not been announced, but Neoen lifted its operating earnings by $160 million last quarter. This could indicate the profit made from the deal could have lifted the company’s operating earnings in preparation for the deal, especially given that it occurred in a short period of time.

The project is set to help avoid what is called the “solar duck,” which describes the energy usage that people put on the grid through daily tasks.

Credit: Synergy (via ReviewEconomy)

Tesla Megapacks are being used for the project, which has been an ideal choice for many large-scale BESS across the world. Tesla already has Megapacks operating at several BESS projects in Australia, including the “Big Battery” in South Australia and the Hornsdale Power Reserve.

Tesla “big battery” in Australia is becoming a bigger nightmare for fossil fuel power generators

“This is an exciting time for Neoen as it is our first major project in WA, and it also means we now have a big battery in five of the six Australian states,” Louis de Sambucy, head of Neoen Australia, said. “With our growing team in Perth and a strong pipeline of projects, we look forward to playing an increasingly significant role in the state’s rapid decarbonization.”

Tesla has been increasing production of Megapacks to suit the company’s needs as there has been more demand for the energy product. The company is building Megapacks in both Shanghai and Lathrop, California.

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The Powerwall is Tesla’s residential battery storage unit. With an energy capacity of 13.5 kWh, the Powerwall is able to provide homes with an uninterrupted power supply, even in the event of power outages. Powerwall batteries have proven themselves over the years, with some battery units surviving floods and hurricanes without any apparent issues. 

According to Tesla, customers could be eligible for the rebate if they install and register their Powerwall between June 15, 2023, and October 31, 2023. It should also be noted that the rebate applies to Powerwall customers regardless of how many batteries they have installed in their homes. 

Customers who opt in for more Powerwalls in their homes stand to get a larger incentive, however, as the promotion provides a $500 rebate for each residential battery that is installed. That’s quite an incentive, especially among those who are willing to participate in Tesla’s growing virtual power plant initiatives. 

Tesla provided quick instructions for Powerwall customers who wish to acquire the $500 incentive. “After your Powerwalls have been installed, connected to the internet and registered, you will be notified from the Tesla app to submit your rebate request. Once confirmed, Tesla will send you a check of $500 for each Powerwall,” Tesla wrote. 

While Tesla’s $500 Powerwall rebate is definitely compelling, customers should take note that the incentive has some eligibility requirements. For one, the Powerwall batteries must be installed between June 15, 2023, and October 31, 2023. They also have to be ordered from Tesla or Tesla Certified Installers. The system must be connected and registered, and a rebate request must be submitted through the Tesla mobile app as well. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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VPPs can be used for a variety of reasons, but affordability and grid stabilization through sustainable energy are the biggest advantages.

Tesla has been operating its VPP program since 2021, when it launched in California. It allowed owners to earn money by contributing stored energy through their Powerwalls to provide grid services. It helped utilize solar energy instead of other sources that may be polluting.

The VPP has been paying those who opted in roughly “$2 for every additional kWh your Powerwall delivers during an event,” the company says. The payouts have attracted more people to opt into the program, but Tesla is now evidently attempting to launch it in other areas.

Earlier today, Baglino was asked if Tesla had plans to launch a VPP in Puerto Rico where the population of Powerwalls is substantial. “We have over 350MW of Powerwalls in Puerto Rico that could help the grid shortage in Puerto Rico overnight,” Baglino said. “We are working with Luma Energy Puerto Rico to activate a VPP for all Powerwall customers this Summer.”

Absolutely. We have over 350MW of Powerwalls in Puerto Rico that could help the grid shortage in Puerto Rico overnight. We are working with @lumaenergypr to activate a VPP for all Powerwall customers this summer. Stay tuned for more…

— Drew Baglino (@baglino) June 15, 2023

Puerto Rico is an ideal location for the program as it is a country that routinely faces power outages due to severe storms. It is commonly hammered by hurricanes during the Summer months, and the country’s clean energy advocates have fought to lean on renewable energy to help stabilize things, according to a report from Politico.

Baglino also said Tesla Electric customers in Texas will have a VPP launching there as well. It has already started testing this month and the first VPP credits will be paid out to customers next month.

Coming to Texas Tesla Electric customers soon! We are testing the initial set of VPP services with @ercot_iso this month and target paying out the first VPP credits to Powerwall customers in Tesla Electric next month.

— Drew Baglino (@baglino) June 15, 2023

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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Tesla Megapacks will help make up the massive battery energy storage system, or BESS, providing 50 MW/200MWh of storage, supplying the grid for up to four hours in the instance of a power outage or blackout.

“A growing number of wind turbines and solar panels are taking over much of the power production from existing fossil fuel power plants,” Eneco writes. “However, there is not always electricity from wind and solar, the demand is only partly controllable, and therefore it is important to have flexible storage.”

The Megapacks essentially act as a backup plan to the other sustainable options and will offer spare capacity when the grid needs to be kept in balance.

The project will be built in Ville-sur-Haine and be the largest project Eneco builds to date. Eneco is jointly owned by Mitsubishi Corp. and Chubu Electric Power at an 80/20 split, respectively.

BESS projects are becoming a widely popular way to remove regions of dependency on fossil fuels. Reducing CO2 emissions widely aligns with the climate goals of many countries, including those that are a part of the European Union, Belgium included.

Greenhouse gases will be reduced by at least 40 percent by 2030, and energy efficiency will need to be increased by at least 32.5 percent, while renewable energy shares need to be increased to at least 32 percent of the EU’s usage.

“We are strengthening our renewable energy activities in order to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions,” Tine Deheegher, Manager of Renewable Energy Solutions at Eneco, said. “In this regard, energy storage is very important to absorb the fluctuations of renewable energy. This project is an important step for us towards a CO2-neutral energy system in 2035.”

Tesla has expanded Megapack production to Shanghai and has also started operations at a new plant in California while shutting down manufacturing of the product in Nevada.

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Now that the feature is close to a wide rollout, we’re getting our first looks at the feature in the Tesla App.

In mid-March, we reported that coding within the Tesla App had revealed a new feature allowing owners to charge their Tesla vehicles on excess solar, allowing drivers to use the extra energy captured by solar panels for driving range.

Tesla adds ‘Charge on Excess Solar’ function in app to get clean range at home

“Plug in your vehicle at home during the day to charge using the excess clean energy generated by your solar system,” an update in the Tesla app’s coding said in mid-March. “Set your charge limits and location and tell your vehicle when and where to charge only from excess solar.”

It will also allow drivers to set the vehicle’s battery to charge as usual from any available sources for enough daily driving range, “then reserve part of your vehicle’s battery to charge only when excess solar is available.”

Now, the first looks at the feature are surfacing as it is set to roll out on the Tesla Smartphone App.

Twitter user @olympusdev_ (via NotATeslaApp) shared images of the first looks of the feature:

Tesla is getting ready to add a new feature to the app called “Charge on Solar” pic.twitter.com/ZQpCGGC8Qs

— OlympusDev (@olympusdev_) May 2, 2023

“Plug in your vehicle at home during the day to charge using the excess clean energy generated by your solar system,” the app says. “Set your charge limits and location to tell your vehicle when and where to charge only from excess solar.”

The feature is groundbreaking for Tesla because it helps bring owners’ reliance on the grid to a minimum. If the owner of a Tesla vehicle also has a series of the company’s energy products, they can use the full product ecosystem to make things as clean as possible in terms of adding range to their vehicles.

It is likely that Tesla will be rolling out the feature soon, as it is not yet currently live in the most recent version of the App. However, it could be in the testing phases, and as it moves forward with a wider release, we should see more in-depth looks at the feature in action soon.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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As the use of renewable energy systems like wind and solar has grown in popularity, the need for energy storage systems to back up these renewables has grown as well. Now, to help meet the demand for these solutions in Europe, electric supercar maker Rimac has announced it will introduce its own offering, which will compete with products from Tesla, ABB, and numerous others.

According to Rimac, its new energy storage system (ESS) offerings will come in a couple of key variants, including “utility-scale, commercial & industrial applications, and highly integrated battery buffered charging solutions.” The Croatian company aims to begin production later this year, with deliveries beginning in 2024 and high-volume production starting in 2025. Rimac specified that “all [of its] products [will be] fully designed, developed, and produced in Europe.”

The upcoming ESS products will be produced at Rimac’s new Croatian campus, which will eventually have an energy output of 10 GWh annually.

“At Rimac, we have always been driven by innovation and a passion for pushing the limits of what is possible in the automotive industry,” says Rimac’s new Energy Director, Wasim Sarwar. “However, we recognize the importance of stationary storage solutions to power our planet sustainably. Given our track record in innovative battery technology, we believe we will play a vital role in building Europe’s future energy ecosystems, elevating it on the global stage.”

Rimac did not include many specifications for the upcoming ESS products, but it noted two primary upgrades that commercial buyers might be interested in. Foremost, Rimac promises a 40% smaller product footprint compared to industry standard, and second, its ESS offerings will reduce system energy losses by 50%.

Rimac is entering the energy storage market precisely at the right time, particularly in Europe. Many countries on the continent are looking to get out of fossil fuel use as fast as possible. This focus stems from not only environmental concerns but also the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which has resulted in energy production in the Old World being shaken to its core.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

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Tesla Giga Nevada has never been the most well-known or talked about gigafactory in the Tesla fleet, despite its incredible contributions to Tesla’s Energy division and, more recently, to the production of the Tesla Semi. Now, the Nevada plant is being dramatically shaken up, potentially for the better, as it will no longer be producing the Megapack.

The announcement of the final Megapack leaving Giga Nevada was posted to Linkedin by a Tesla production technician and was subsequently published on Twitter by Sawyer Merrit. The post is far from lengthy and only shows a single picture of the final Megapack leaving the facility.

NEWS: @Tesla has built its last Megapack at Giga Nevada. Production has now fully moved to their Lathrop, California Megafactory where they make the next-gen Megapack XL, which are much more profitable.

Source: https://t.co/kOE7oIqV5o pic.twitter.com/VLTuoWWZI5

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 2, 2023

In terms of Megapack production, at least for now, this halt at Giga Nevada will shift all focus to Tesla’s new facility in Lathrop, California, which is quickly becoming one of Tesla’s fastest-growing production locations in the United States. Meanwhile, Tesla is already working to establish its second Megapack production facility based in Shanghai, China.

While the end of production is typically not something to celebrate, this could be the start of something fantastic for Giga Nevada. By freeing up staff and production space, the Nevada-based facility can focus on its two primary goals listed on the Tesla website, achieving 100GWh of 4680 battery cell production and kicking Semi production into high gear.

Tesla has not updated its website to reflect the change in Megapack production, but it does highlight a few other key areas where the facility could now focus its freed-up energy. “Located less than an hour from Lake Tahoe, Gigafactory Nevada is one of the world’s highest volume plants for electric motors, energy storage products, vehicle powertrains, and batteries—producing billions of cells per year. Now, we’re continuing to grow Gigafactory Nevada with two new facilities: a 100 GWh 4680 cell factory and our first high-volume Semi factory.”

Tesla’s need for battery cells, notably those from Giga Nevada, cannot be understated. Top-selling products, including the Model 3 and Model Y, are still growing in popularity quarter over quarter, and battery cell production is the primary limit on how many vehicles the automaker can produce. Moreover, the Tesla Semi is poised to enter mass production in the near future alongside the highly anticipated Cybertruck, both of which will be incredible battery-cell-hungry vehicles.

As for Tesla’s Energy division more broadly, CEO Elon Musk has maintained his belief that the segment will eventually outpace its vehicle offerings in terms of revenue, and by moving to more dedicated production locations – Shanghai and Lathrop – the business unit is well on its way towards achieving that goal.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

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One of Tesla’s most intriguing and least well-known projects is its VPP program in California, which allows Powerwall owners to get paid for contributing to the grid in coordination with local utilities. Now, as California’s weather has become more erratic in recent months, the program has only increased in popularity and has now hit an energy capacity milestone of over 100MWh.

As initially reported by Sawyer Merrit on Twitter, Tesla’s VPP program is monitored by Lastbulb, which provides monthly updates on the program’s growth in California. Lastbulb’s most recent report, published earlier today, found that the program now contains 6,691 homes and just over 7,400 Powerwalls, adding up to an energy capacity of just over 100MWh. Last year alone, the program contributed 577MWh to the grid.

NEWS: @Tesla‘s virtual power plant (VPP) in California now has the ability to push ~100MWh to the grid in a single event. 6,691 people with ~7,400 Tesla Powerwalls are now in the program. @TeslaSolar

Source: @lastbulb | https://t.co/XCv8IICoTH pic.twitter.com/RxLsN7SZfr

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) April 27, 2023

Since January of this year, the program has already gained more than 2,000 more homes, and with a recent bill being passed in California increasing incentives for energy storage systems, that number is only expected to continue to grow.

Outside of California, the VPP program has made a more conservative expansion, likely due to the intricacy of coordinating with local utilities and the numerous Powerwall customers involved. Currently, the program has also made its way to Texas. Still, with solid demand for Tesla energy products in places like New York and Florida, many anticipate the program to expand to those regions next.

As for consumers, the incentive structures that have pulled in so many buyers in California are often significantly more complex and less lucrative in other states, which has meant, as is typical for Tesla products, they are far more lucrative in the West Coast state. Nonetheless, as more and more people find energy products’ usefulness and cost-saving potential, they could be in for quite the wave of demand in the coming years.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

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Residential solar projects have been quickly growing in popularity, particularly in parts of the United States, where owners can get paid for the energy they contribute to the grid. Within those markets, Tesla’s premium offering, the Solar Roof, has slowly but surely been gaining a following of its own. Now, the Tesla Solar Roof has been installed outside of the United States for the first time ever.

The first international Solar Roof install was announced by the Tesla-certified installer, Kelly Roofing, based in Florida. The company showed off its latest project in a now-viral tweet, showing the Roof overlooking the nearby ocean.

Breaking News!! Kelly Roofing installs the first ever international new @TeslaSolar roof in Nevis! @elonmusk @Tesla @ken1ceo #powerwall #tesla #teslasolar #internationaltesla pic.twitter.com/wqD8iFqRLJ

— Kelly Roofing (@KellyRoofing) March 12, 2023

According to the posts from the company, the new project was installed at the Four Seasons Resort on the island of Nevis, part of the country of St. Kitts & Nevis. The pair of islands sits in the southern section of the Caribbean, East of Puerto Rico.

Sleek. Durable. Innovative.

Kelly Roofing has the honor of completing the first international installation of the new @TeslaSolar Roof System! @elonmusk @Tesla #powerwall #tesla #teslasolar #internationaltesla #kellyroofing pic.twitter.com/2rHwyqkf9g

— Kelly Roofing (@KellyRoofing) March 10, 2023

Kelly Roofing was not immediately available to comment to Teslarati on the Nevis project.

What makes the Tesla Solar Roof system so enticing, particularly in a place like the Caribbean, is its pairing with the Tesla Powerwall, which provides backup power in the event of a blackout. This added protection from complete loss of power could be a great addition to any building for owners in weather-prone locations, especially in areas with significant hurricanes. This system, in particular, is fitted with four Powerwall units, as seen in the images provided by Kelly Roofing.

Besides the Solar Roof’s impressive power generation capabilities, Tesla notes on its website that the tempered glass tiles are just as strong if not stronger than traditional roofing competitors, only further enticing buyers in temperamental regions like the Caribbean. Tesla even provides a 25-year warranty for the roofing tiles as an added layer of protection.

It remains unclear when Tesla will make its unique Solar Roof available outside the United States, but it likely can’t come quickly enough for some customers. Luckily, with so many solar options on the market, including a growing number of Solar Roof competitors, Tesla may be pushed to expand sooner rather than later.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

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