Following the US car maker Tesla’s announcement that it was to market a solar-powered battery to run off-grid home, another car manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz, has unveiled a similar product.
Up to eight of Mercedes’ battery modules, each with an energy content of 2.5kWh, can be combined into an energy storage plant with a total storage capacity of 20kWh.
This provides a larger reserve than Tesla’s two models, which can generate 10kWh and 7kWh, although they can also be linked together.
Mercedes’ battery, like Tesla’s, will charge during off-peak hours and release its energy during the peak demand hours of morning and evening when people leave and return to work.
Daimler, the British company behind the Mercedes product, is demonstrating it at the Intersolar trade fair in Munich, Germany, which is under way at present.
Digital Trends points out that Daimler’s unit is not a direct response to Tesla; in fact the battery has been in development since 2009.
The main difference between the two products is that with its greater capacity, Daimler’s battery can generate power not just for home use, but for businesses too.
Daimler subsidiary Accumotive develops, produces and markets drive batteries for hybrid and electric Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Tesla’s Powerwall is currently sold out until mid-2016.
You can register your interest in Daimler’s unit here.
