Why We’re Using It
Solar energy is a clean, free and inexhaustible resource, but there is often a mismatch between daily energy production and consumption. A typical home has a higher demand for electricity in the morning and evening than during the day when sunlight makes solar energy readily available. To bridge the gap between energy supply and demand, River Vine Vineyards will tap into smart energy storage technology, installing a Tesla Powerwall home battery system that conveniently and efficiently stores, manages and distributes surplus solar energy as needed.
A solar storage system will help River Vine maintain independence from the utility grid, providing an uninterrupted supply of electricity during the night and on cloudy or rainy days when there is insufficient sunlight to power the home. A home battery also provides the security of emergency backup, protecting River Vine against power outages. Powerwall is fully automated, employing Tesla’s proven automotive battery technology to detect when power is needed and deliver stored energy to meet household demand safely and economically.
How It Works
River Vine’s battery energy storage system integrates with the home’s rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels and an electrical inverter to ensure power on demand. Powerwall is space-efficient, housing a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a liquid thermal management system, a battery management system and a smart DC-DC converter for controlling power flow—all in a compact enclosure that mounts on the garage wall.
Throughout the day, the rooftop solar array captures sunlight and converts it into electricity that is used to power the residence and charge the home batteries. Multiple battery packs store excess energy solar-generated during daylight hours for use when the PV panels aren’t producing. An inverter converts direct current electricity from River Vine’s solar array or home batteries into the alternating current used to power the home’s lights, appliances and electrical devices, diverting the surplus to heat the outdoor pool. Working seamlessly, the solar and energy storage systems ecologically manage and fulfill power needs, keeping River Vine grid neutral.