Tip - Big batteries could make or break solar energy | WashingtonExaminer.com

Big batteries are quickly becoming the technology du jour in making the case for transitioning the nation to increasing amounts of solar energy and renewables. But the time it will take to work out the cost and regulatory kinks to move the batteries to a wider market have not been figured out, say investors and academics examining the prospects for electric storage technology. Electric vehicle company Tesla is expected to announce a new business venture later this week focused on marketing the big batteries, referred to as energy storage, for residential and commercial use. The big lithium-ion batteries would be used as a backup energy supply for homeowners with solar panels that cannot generate electricity when the sun is not shining. The batteries kick in when the sun goes down, or at times when electric power from the grid is expensive, acting to save consumers money on their electric bills. At least that's what advocates want to happen.
Tags: PennAve,Energy and Environment,Electricity,Technology,Solar Energy,Tesla,John Siciliano