Within two weeks after Hurricane Irma swept over St. John (smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands), a survivor used debris from a nearby home to spell out “SEND TESLA“. With significant loss of life, lack of drinking water, dehydration, food scarcity, and disappearing power grid in Puerto Rico, the humanitarian effort by Tesla stepping in to help was truly welcomed. Bloomberg reported that Tesla had been sending hundreds of its Powerwall battery systems to be paired with solar panels to help restore the power back to the battered island. The monumental destruction brought by hurricanes Irma and Maria on the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in September is opening up the possibilities for companies such as Tesla to move in and establish a presence. Tesla sent representatives to the island to begin signing up survivors for solar services.
Tesla indicated that some of the systems (Tesla Powerwall+Solar Panels) are already in Puerto Rico and others are on their way. Bloomberg also reported, “The company (Tesla) has employees on the ground to install them and is working with local organizations to identify locations.” The Puerto Rico island is still mostly without without power.
Thanks to Tesla for bringing power/electricity back to some of the people of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Mia Farrow’s Twitter further reminds us of the BBC report of 55% of the people in Puerto Rico are without drinking water. Hopefully, President Trump’s visit tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017) to Puerto Rico will bring more attention, help, and water being dropped in by the U.S. National Guard to these Americans at Puerto Rico.
Gathered, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker
More about the community at www.WindermereSun.com
This is a repost from one of our sister publications, Windermere Sun, below:
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South Australia, World’s Biggest Lithium Ion Battery Farm (credit: Tesla, presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Elon Musk’s tweet about South Australia’s battery farm for renewable energy (presented at WindermereSun.com)
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Elon Musk has followed through with his promise to solve the growing energy crisis in South Australia in 100 days! Tesla (TSLA) cofounder and energy division head Lyndon Rive boldly claimed, back in March of 2017, that he would commit to installing the 100-300 megawatt hours of battery required to prevent the increasingly frequent blackouts of South Australia within 100 days. He said the company could do the same in Victoria, where the closure of the 1600 MW Hazelwood coal plant in March was raising more fears of increasing blackouts across the eastern states electricity market next summer, following a near blackout in NSW on February 10 after an unexpected spike in demand due to a heat wave. Musk upped the ante by not only backing Rive’s claim but also insisting that if the 100 MWh of battery system would not be installed within 100-day window, he (Musk) would offer the service completely free of charge. When the billionaire-entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes asked Musk in March, if Tesla was serious when it claimed it could quickly end blackouts in South Australia,”Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?” Musk tweeted at the time.
Tweets to Elon Musk from Australia (presented at WindermereSun.com)
To solve South Australia’s energy crisis, Tesla (TSLA) has teamed up with French renewable energy firm Neoen and an Australian state government (with a South Australian company CPP doing the ground work) to install the world’s largest lithium ion battery farm. Paired up with Neoen’s existing Hornsdale Wind Farm in the state of South Australia, near Jamestown, north of Adelaide, the battery farm will have three times the capacity as the next biggest in the world. South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill said this extraordinary collaboration would deliver a grid-scale battery that would “stabilize the South Australian network as well as putting downward pressure on prices. Battery storage is the future of our national energy market, and the eyes of the world will be following our leadership in this space.” The project is intended to sustain 100 MW of power and store 129 MWh, being able to power about 30,000 homes, according to Tesla. The project is currently slated for completion by December to harness the existing Hornsdale Wind Farm to charge the mega-battery while the wind is blowing and discharge power when it is most needed. Musk commented, “It’s a fundamental efficiency improvement to the power grid, and it’s really quite necessary and quite obvious considering a renewable energy future.” In essence, by storing renewable (wind and solar) energy during off-peak hours and then discharging that energy during peak hours, utility companies are able to cut costs, improve reliability and resiliancy, and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Tesla was able to beat the other 91 international bidders for this project. It is understandable, for the company has made substantial progress in the utility front since introducing Powerwall and Powerpack about two years ago. Tesla now supplies energy to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai using a large solar energy plant running on the Powerpack technology. Medium size businesses are also turning to Tesla tech for energy storage, including the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Southern California Edison’s Mira Loma substation in Ontario, California powering 15,000 homes. So, while the South Australia project may have an ambitious timetable, Tesla’s impressive resume suggests that the 100-day goal should not be a problem for Tesla.
tweets to Elon Musk from Ukraine (presented at WindermereSun.com)
In the meantime, rumor has it that citizens from other countries have also taken to social media to ask Musk for help. A user by the same of @5AllanLeVito asked Musk to bring a similar project to Ukraine, above. Musk’s response “Sure”, and laid out the cost. New Zealand and others may soon to follow. Thank goodness for new technology Twitter: much will be accomplished within much shorter period of time! Hurray for the renewable future! Hurray for America’s adopted son, Elon Musk, in his progress/effort in saving our planet earth!
Perhaps the Floridians should start tweeting Elon Musk for our battery system!
Gathered, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker
More about the community at www.WindermereSun.com
Below is a repost from our sister publication, Windermere Sun.
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Tesla Dual Motor design (credit: Tesla/Screen shot)
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After all that’s been going on with Trump Administration this week, I seriously need to report/share on some topics that would make me feel good. Last night, as I came across an article about Tesla’s dual-engine or dual motor design, I realized that I never did report, in detail, about this intriguing design in the past. I’ve known about Tesla’s self-driving or autopilot optional feature in Tesla Model S/X/3, but did not mention much about its dual motor design until last night. It is very impressive both in its efficiency and optimized outcome in speed and acceleration. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.20 seconds, with top speed at 155 mph. Any of the Tesla cars that comes with dual motor/engine would come with “D” in its model name. In the video below, one can see the front drive unit and rear drive unit of Model S. Its uniqueness is in its ability to be able to shift its dynamic power from front to rear in a matter of millilseconds. So its torque can be quickly adjusted, much better and quicker than the historical mechanically linked system (linked with the shaft). So, this is a design equivalent to the digital system, replacing the old analog system. Its constant optimal efficiency level is actually able to compensate for the increased mass of a dual motor design. Every thing is improved with this design. In Elon Musk’s words, “it’s like having your own roller coaster.” It is actually coming with the option of having 3 settings: Normal, Sport, and Insane. Elon Musk also assured us that future designs of Tesla will continue to improve. The more affordable Tesla’s Model 3 (costing about $35,000) should be arriving by the end of 2017. Model 3 of 2017 currently comes with single motor, and Model 3 dual motor design can be ordered in 2018.
I was also very happy to find out about Elon Musk’s presentation in December of 2016 for Tesla Solar Roof. So, hopefully one day, soon in the future, we will be able to order an autopilot, dual motor, solar powered car from Tesla. In the mean time, apparently Tesla is also planning on bringing a new compact SUV to the market. This vehicle will be the crossover version of the Model 3 and will be called Model Y, expected to be rolled out by 2020.
Below is a re-post from one of our sister publications, Windermere Sun:
Over some of the social networks, our previous post of Climate March Orlando on April 29, 2017 received much attention and debate/discussion regarding climate change. At one point, I did comment, “I am optimistic, for solar and wind costs have already dropped tremendously in recent years. Solar is more cost effective than conventional fossil fuel in many places. Electric vehicle and solar e-vehicles are coming in. These progress will all help in keeping carbon emission in check or be reduced in our earth’s atmosphere.”
Case in point, I’d like to share a video that demonstrates how Panasonic is building the full-length solar roof for Japan’s Prius Prime plug in hybrid, below:
Panasonic announced an advanced solar car that will debut as the 2017 model Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid in Japan (the Prius Prime) last week. This is going to be the first commercially available, mass produced passenger car to feature an optional solar charging system! Improvements in solar technology efficiency combined with advanced design and technologies to laminate three-dimensional curved glass have allowed a high output (tripling the output of previous solar roof that was only able to ventilate parked cars and auxiliary charging of the standard 12-volt lead acid battery). As the solar panels and electric vehicle become cheaper and more efficient, the potential range boost will likely to occur. The 2017 Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid with about 25 miles of range available on a fully charged battery before it needs gasoline.It gets 54 miles per gallon (combined city-highway EPA estimate) when running on gas. Its EPA estimated electric mileage is 133 mpg-e.
Its solar roof option will initially be offered only in Japan (on Japanese models) until Toyota and Panasonic develop an improvement to the reinforced curved glass panels, which would not pass U.S. rollover standards.
The panel is capable of producing 180 watts of electricity, which is apparently enough to power car accessories (which weren’t specified) and also charge the lithium-ion batteries. According to Toyota, this panel can add up to 3.7 miles of range a day to the car’s battery while parked, and it also helps charge the battery while the car is in motion. It also fits the contours of the Prius roof and doesn’t change the design.
Tesla CEO Elon Musktweeted in November 2016 that he wanted a solar roof option for the Tesla Model 3, Tesla’s affordable long-range electric car that had record pre-sales. Whether it will be Tesla solar car or Toyota solar car make it into the U.S. showroom first, one thing to be certain: our streets will soon be covered with Solar Powered Electric Vehicles….to reduce carbon emissions and to slow down the warming of our planet earth! I gladly await for the electric vehicle that will allow me to have both self-driving and solar powered features long before I reach my 80’s. It is an amazing world we’re living in!
This is a repost from one of our sister publication, Windermere Sun, below:
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Tesla Solar Roof (credit: Tesla/Solar City)
Tesla Solar Roof (credit: Tesla/Solar City)
Tesla Solar Roof (credit: Tesla/Solar City)
Tesla Solar Roof single held up by CEO Elon Musk (credit: Tesla/Solar City)
Tesla Solar Roof (credit: Tesla/Solar City)
Tesla Solar Roof single held up by CEO Elon Musk (credit: Tesla/Solar City)
Tesla Solar Roof (credit: Tesla/Solar City)
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Just weeks after our previous reporting of Tesla/Solar City’s Solar roof, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that their Tesla/Solar City solar roof will be cheaper than the conventional/traditional roofing material. Previously Elon Musk said their solar roof would be cheaper, when taking into consideration of the fact that power would be generated from these solar roofs. But now he believes that the cost of manufacturing and installing their solar roofs will be less than the traditional roofs even before taking into consideration of its power generation. Solar City is the largest solar manufacturer and installer in USA. In November of this year, the share holders approved the merger of Tesla and Solar City. Tesla’s solar roofs are expected to hit the market in Summer of 2017.
It’s a no brainer: Tesla/Solar City solar roofs will cost lower, are stronger and last longer, better insulated, and generate power! So when it’s time for you to replace your existing roof or building your roof for the first time, think about Tesla-Solar City Solar Roof!!!
Talk about revolution! Elon Musk continues to lead the charge of this revolution for our Renewable Future!
Elon’s Mission in Accelerating World’s Transition to Sustainable Energy Via 3 Most Important Paths
Elon’s Integrated Future
New Solar Roof with greater longevity than conventional roof technology
Tesla’s New Solar Roof with greater longevity than conventional roof technology
Tesla’s Powerwall 2
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Instead of the conventional 25-year roof, how would you like to install solar roofs that would effectively cost less, better insulation, last almost 75 years for your house, with more appealing styles to choose from, no less?! Yesterday, the unveiling of Tesla’s new Solar Roof took place at the Desperate Housewives set in LA, CA. The original roof had been replaced by solar roof tops (photos above)! Can you really tell that these are solar roof tops if I didn’t mention it in advance?
Tesla’s New Solar Roof with greater longevity than conventional roof technology
Tesla’s New Solar Roof with greater longevity than conventional roof technology
Our WonderWorker Elon Musk continues to amaze us! When I first heard the news about Tesla may be acquiring Solar City, I suspected that Elon is cooking something in that genius kitchen of his…..behold! We are all totally ecstatic yesterday, upon receiving the news about Tesla’s new Solar Roof and his presentation about the three critical components in accelerating our transition toward the sustainable future: Generation-Storage-Transport—–>Solar Roof-Battery-EV —-> Solar Roof-Tesla’s Powerwall 2-Tesla’s EV. I did not write Tesla’s Solar Roof-Tesla’s Powerwall 2-Tesla’s EV because the vote regarding the acquisition is on November 17, not yet a fait accompli. Personally, I believe it would be a wise step for Solar City to take, to become part of Elon Musk’s Solution To The Energy Equation. There will be a lot of individuals, families, groups, businesses that will want to take part in solving the global warming problem and in reducing CO2 emission. Furthermore, for those who want to drive an EV, one expects that they are also more likely to also want to install solar roof tops and vise versa.
Elon also pointed out that the future is bright for both utilities and local power generation (solar roof tops) because as we transition our energy use into all electric, that will roughly triple the electricity that will be needed.
In Elon’s presentation of a beautiful, affordable, and seamlessly integrated future: EV(electric vehicle)+Powerwall+Solar Roof awaits us, shown below:
For all the solar installers out there, it might be a good idea to devote part of your business to subcontract for Tesla/Solar City, because this integrated solar roof will probably be proprietary in the next few years.
We Look Forward To Our Renewable/Solar Future!
As one of the audience at the unveiling shouted out, “Elon, Save Us!”
Elon, now help us to get the solar self-driving car !
This is SO EXCITING! I can’t wait to share the unveiling of Tesla 3 that many of us have been waiting for….Model 3 has achieved 215 miles of range (at minimum) per charge, with automatic safety features, starting at only $35,000 before incentive. Buyers of plug-in hybrids and electric cars benefit from a tax credit of $2,500 to $7,500, depending on the size of the battery in the car. On the low end of the spectrum, cars with 4 kWh battery packs will qualify for a $2,500 tax credit. The credit maxes out at $7,500 for cars with a 16 kWh battery pack, like the Chevy Volt. The credits were provided as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the “stimulus bill.” (The incentive begins phasing out after an automaker sells 200,000 vehicles that are eligible for the credit.)
This is all part of Elon Musk’s effort in helping to speed up our transition toward the renewable future by accelerating world’s transition into sustainable transport. Let us give Elon Musk a round of applause for, unveiling of Tesla Model 3 (March 31, 2016 event), and for his contribution in slowing the CO2 emission into earth’s atmosphere….below:
Tesla Model 3 is essentially the fourth generation vehicle subsequent to Roadster, Model X, and Model S. Now Model 3 is designed to attain the highest safety ratings in every category. All Model 3’s will have supercharging capability (translating to freedom to travel) and be able to contain a 7-ft surfboard inside. There are currently about 3608 superchargers globally, about 3689 destinations superchargers. By the end of next year, number of superchargers will double ( to 7,200) and quadruple destination superchargers (to 15,000). The gigafactory will be busy, with high volume and the most advanced technology, and will be the world’s largest lithium ion cell producer… 50 gigawatt-hour per year of production! It is the first Tesla electric vehicle that will be able to be massively afforded by general public and will definitely be able to dramatically help to reduce CO2 emission into our planet earth’s atmosphere. And thanks, Elon, for adding the autopilot feature into Model 3. Within the first 24 hours of its unveiling, there were 115,000 orders for Tesla Model 3. The world is definitely ready for Tesla Model 3!!! For those of you who want to order Tesla Model 3 online, please visit Tesla.com . Delivery will not begin until 2017 the earliest. Way to go, Elon!
Perhaps I am biased. But in my limited perception, I tend to think solar enthusiasts are also more likely to be futurists. This is a post, with two videos (one edited version of another), for all of you solar futurists out there!
I think you already know and I cannot say/add enough good things about Elon Musk or Tesla. This past Tuesday, Elon Musk was interviewed by New China TV in Hong Kong, where he commented that Chinese Minister of Finance mentioned Tesla favorably in a recent speech, with regard to Tesla’s effort in making its patents open sourced so that any company in China or elsewhere can utilize these patents to create electric vehicles. He further commented that Solar Energy can easily power the whole of China, the most populated country on earth (2015 population data: China has 1,361,512,535 India has 1,251,695,584 United States has 321,368,864, etc.). Below, you will find this comment (top video) edited from the complete interview (bottom video):
This will be a terrific move for the planet earth! For if all of China and India will be converting their vehicles to electric vehicles sooner as a result of Tesla’s patents being shared, the industry charger (Tesla’s Supercharger Event) will be standardized much more quickly and the CO2 emission of the planet will be reduced at a much faster rate, slowing the rate of climate change. In this process, both China and India will have much cleaner environment. This will also translate into much cleaner planet earth.
For the complete interview where Elon Musk speaks about Tesla, sustainable energy, and Mars at the Venture Forum in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is the city where the most Tesla per capita (with the highest percentage of vehicles that is Tesla or electric vehicles any where in the world) and can function as the model for other high density cities to transform into sustainable transport future. Elon Musk further embellishes on the importance of focusing on creating products that would be loved by the customers. There are also discussions of: the future possibility in solving Beijing traffic issue via tunnel or flying cars; currently available supercharging station networks in China (such that people have driven from Beijing to Tibet in Tesla); upcoming affordable Tesla3 to be mainstream;whether rote educational format would be good for producing innovators;all new cars on the road will be autonomous within fifteen years; submmersible Tesla;pertonic ideal of a perfect car;how to supply Hong Kong with sufficient solar power;bringing human kind to Mars and enabling earthlings to become interplanetary beings and to be inspired and transcend beyond what is the current limit; anticipation of first flights to Mars by 2025; necessary high tolerance for pain if some one wants to try to build startup;brain computer interface at the neuron level (concept of brain internet). Ultimately, focusing on producing a product that is loved by consumers would help to insure the success of a startup. It’s an excellent interview that you don’t want to miss, below, enjoy:
For those of you who are entrepreneurs out there, the take-away is that: focusing on producing a product that is loved by consumers would help to insure the success of a startup.
Gathered, written, & posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any suggestions, concerns, questions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.sunisthefuture.net
For more on solar energy topics, please feel free to check into links below:
Sonnenbatterie Complete System (credit: Sonnenbatterie)
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Those of us who have been following the solar industry for quite a few years/decades realize that reliable Energy Storage holds the key to Solar Energy Future. Therefore, it is not surprising that Intersolar North America 2015 placed a great deal of emphasis on the topic of Energy Storage-Battery Technology. The simple fact that the sun does not shine 24/7/365 necessitates reliable energy storage before solar energy can truly become mainstream. Important factors when choosing the energy storage system are: reliability, capacity, durability, and safety. With Tesla’s Powerwall and Powerpack being in the news much lately, I was curious about the energy storage systems being introduced by Sonnenbatterie,
a German company that has been a leader for energy storage in Europe for many years.
Sonnenbatterie Manufacturing storage system (credit: Sonnenbatterie)
For the first time, Sonnenbatterie is entering the North American market and is the winner of Bloomberg Pioneers Award 2015. I had the opportunity to chat with US management/CEO of Sonnenbatterie, Boris Von Bormann, about features that distinguish Sonnenbatterie’s units from Tesla’s Powerwall or Powerpack: Sonnenbatterie has a fully integrated (battery+inverter) system and can be taken apart whereas Tesla’s Powerwall or Powerpack contains only the battery system. In the age of collaboration, it would be great if Sonnenbatterie would also develop an inverter system that will work with Tesla’s battery technology. Sonnenbatterie’s system can also be integrated with the utility so to be more efficiently managed. The intelligent storage solution has a built-in smart meter
that enables the management of local energy production and consumption. By using a mobile app the houseowner decides whether to feed-in or directly consume the homemade electricity. Without further ado, let’s hear what Boris Von Bormann has in store for us, below:
I’d also like to share with you, another video, with Sonnenbatterie’s Christoph Ostermann, at Ecosummit 2013, below. Sonnenbatterie is a true pioneer for Sonnenbatterie started selling their system prior to the existence of either supply or demand for the market/system. Within two years of its inception, Sonnenbatterie was able to sell 1500 systems. The growth continued, with about 8,000 systems sold in Germany by Spring of 2015 and production running at about 100-150 systems per week. At ECO13, Sonnenbatterie won the Ecosummit Award Jury Bronze medal in recognition of their outstanding business potential.
With the anticipated upcoming Solar Tsunami, it will be well worth the effort for investors and consumers in the solar energy market to keep an eye on Sonnenbatterie, for it has a fully integrated system and it can fill consumers’ order this year.
Recently, Sonnenbatterie has partnered with Outback Power to integrate their smart energy storage solutions with a trusted inverter for residential solar customers across North America. Historically, Outback Power has been a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power, and mobile applications. “OutBackPower’s Radian inverter/charger was a natural choice to integrate into Sonnenbatterie’s eco residential smart storage system,” said Boris von Bormann, CEO of Sonnenbatterie USA. “Working with OutBack, we are confident we can provide American home owners with the peace of mind our European customers have come to expect from Sonnenbatterie — that their home energy storage system will operate reliably in any environment and applications.” For a look of Outback Power’s Radian Series, in the video below:
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
