Tesla partners with Brookfield, Darca to establish first all-solar neighborhood in Austin
[ad_1]
The first phase of solar panel installation in the Tesla solar district in southeast Austin began in June. (Courtesy Brookfield Residential)
A new neighborhood in southeast Austin is set to become the first Tesla Solar neighborhood, part of the electric car maker and clean energy company’s goal of building solar energy resources at the neighborhood level.
The houses in the SunHouse in Easton Park on Solari Drive will feature Tesla V3 solar roof tiles, Powerwall battery storage and vehicle charging stations. The homes will be located in Easton Park by Brookfield Residential and are being developed in partnership with Brookfield, Tesla and real estate developer Darca.
The installation of solar roof tiles began in June and will continue in phases with the aim of creating an “energy neutral, sustainable community,” Brookfield said in a press release.
“Solar systems in the neighborhood in all types of housing will change people’s lives,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk in the press release. “The feedback we get from the solar and battery products used in this community will have an impact on how we develop new products and bring them to market.”
Ultimately, Tesla Energy will use SunHouse as a model for larger shared apartments around the world, Brookfield said. Tesla will continue to oversee SunHouse’s power systems while the neighborhood is being built.
According to Brookfield, the all-solar system will benefit the entire city of Austin by reducing the need for the local electricity grid and providing residents with pre-stored energy in the event of a breakdown.
“The City of Austin is excited to introduce these affordable renewable energy living options,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler in the press release. “I am delighted with the Tesla, Brookfield and Dacra partnership approach to sustainable energy and housing as an example of the out-of-box thinking that continues to make our community a beacon of innovation for the rest of the country and the world . “
The SunHouse community will be located south of Tesla’s upcoming Gigafactory, a manufacturing facility that will bring the 5,000 jobs to Travis County.
[ad_2]
