Vector launches Tesla battery giveaway

Tesla founder Elon Musk unveiling its new lithium-ion batteries for home and commercial use earlier this year. Auckland power network company Vector is running a competition offering the batteries plus solar panels to groups, schools or individuals.

More than 100 solar power and battery systems are being offered free by power giant Vector to individuals, families, community groups and schools in the Auckland region.

A competition titled Future of Energy, which launches today, will give free use of 100 Vector solar and battery systems to the public and community groups for 10 years. Another 30 systems will go to state and state-integrated schools.

Vector chief executive Simon Mackenzie said the combination of the batteries and solar panels would provide "thousands of hours" of free power to winners.

"Each winner will receive a world-leading system, incorporating 3kW Vector solar panels installed on their roof, plus a Telsa Powerwall home battery, free for them to use for the next 10 years," he said.

"The combination of Vector Solar panels and Telsa's Powerwall battery means you can store solar power during the day and cook your dinner with it at night."

For the first 10 years, Vector will retain ownership of the systems. Ownership will then pass to each winner.

The Telsa Powerwall lithium-ion batteries - which can store large amounts of energy in a small space at relatively low cost - were unveiled in May this year by Telsa founder Elon Musk for home and commercial use.

Mackenzie said demand for the technology had been "absolutely phenomenal".
The starting cost of the batteries is US$3000 ($4058) while larger domestic batteries sell for US$3500.

The Future of Energy competition is being supported by the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust via a fund which has historically been used for undergrounding projects in the AECT district. The fund has recently been extended to include new technology such as battery and solar power.

Future of Energy is open to those living within the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust district, which covers Auckland, Manukau and the northern parts of Papakura.

Candidates can be nominated here. The 130 winners will be announced in November.