Martin Eberhard Illustrates Tesla Roadster's Solar Synergy

Martin Eberhard calls it "Solar Synergy" -- an apt phrase for the benefits derived from having an electrical car and a home that's powered by an extensive solar PV array.  Eberhard was a founder of Tesla and he just received his shiny new Founders' Series Roadster.  It's an incredible car, don't you think?  As you ogle its curves -- it's the embodiment of pure innovation, try to recall what I said recently in the article about the Green Building Aspects of the Plug-in Toyota Prius.  In that article, I made the statement that "buildings might just replace gas stations."  Actually, I should be more assertive:  buildings will replace gas stations.  And if you'd like to see a more defined example as to how that will happen, make sure to read about Eberhard's 5.2 kW photovoltaic system and all-electric Tesla Roadster. 

On his blog, Eberhard uses back-of-the envelope figures to illustrate the synergistic benefits of home solar power and an electrical car.  He estimates the payback of his solar PV system is about 25 years, not counting inflation, present value of money, or potential for home appreciation.  In addition, by using energy provided by the solar PV system to power the car, which minimizes the need to pay for expensive gasoline, he puts the payback on his solar PV system at about 9.5 years. 

This is all just payback and investment talk, though. 

Here's the real benefit to having a solar powered home and an electrical vehicle: he's powering his home and car using energy generated from the sun.  For the most part, as far as I can tell, he's not using coal, natural gas, or any of the other fossil fuels to power the home or fuel up his sporty Roadster.  Notice the fueling station at home.  That's what our future will look like -- it's not that far away.