Mercedes-Benz Energy pairs with solar company to sell batteries, rooftop panels

(credit: Mercedes-Benz/Vivint)

Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler is evidently planning for a future where luxury cars refuel in their own garages. The German automaker is announcing a partnership with Vivint Solar, an American solar panel installer, to sell residential solar panels with modular, stationary storage batteries.

The venture is a product of Mercedes-Benz Energy, a new subsidiary created in 2016 to move into the residential energy storage market. The company builds 2.5kWh lithium-ion batteries in Germany, which can be interconnected to create a system as large as 20kWh.

David Bywater, CEO of Vivint Solar, said in a statement that the price of the system would vary. "A fully installed 2.5kWh battery system, when paired with a solar energy system will cost about $5,000," he said. But a 20kWh system will only cost about $13,000 fully installed. "Some installations may cost more or less depending on customer needs/special requests."

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