Instant Analysis: SolarCity Launches New Home Energy Saving Bundle

Image source: Tesla Energy.

What happened?Solar panel installer SolarCity has launched a new bundle called the Smart Energy Home aimed at saving homeowners money. The offering includes SolarCity's own solar panels (naturally) but also combines Tesla batteries alongside Alphabet's Nest smart thermostat.

All three systems will be coordinated by a home gateway that can control all necessary subsystems and appliances. The bundle will first be available to residential customers in Hawaii for lease or cash purchase.

Does it matter?The bundle makes obvious sense on several levels. SolarCity and Tesla have clear ties through Elon Musk, and Musk is good friends with Alphabet co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. By integrating energy generation, storage, and consumption in intelligent ways, the goal is to reduce a home's dependency on the traditional power grid.

SolarCity does not describe the bundle as being completely off the grid, but it would certainly increase the self-reliance of the home. Considering the recent regulatory decisions in Nevada regarding net metering rates that substantially penalized solar customers and forced SolarCity out of the state, it's smart to begin offering solutions that reduce reliance on the grid since that reduces risk if net metering rates change.

The article Instant Analysis: SolarCity Launches New Home Energy Saving Bundle originally appeared on Fool.com.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Evan Niu, CFA owns shares of SolarCity and Tesla Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), SolarCity, and Tesla Motors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.