Yesterday, Elon Musk unveiled a new product that could utterly change the world's energy consumption habits: the Tesla Powerwall. The Powerwall is a wall-mounted lithium ion battery for your home that can be charged by solar panels and/or your existing power grid.

Watch the 18-minute presentation:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=yKORsrlN-2k

Once installed, the Powerwall stores power throughout the day for use at night, as well as during morning and evening periods where energy usage tends to be highest.

If you're using standard grid power, Powerwall can actually reduce your power bill by storing electricity when rates are low and powering your home when rates are high. On top of that, if your power goes out (say, during a storm) the Powerall doubles as a reliable battery backup for your entire home.

Sadly, a Tesla car is not included.

It comes in two models:

1. 10 kWh weekly cycle, optimized for backup applications ($3,500)
2. 7 kWh daily cycle, optimized for daily use applications ($3,000)

Both models measure 33.9" wide x 52.1" tall x 7.1" thick, weigh in at 220lb, and can be installed indoors or outdoors. Additionally, up to 9 Powerwalls can be installed together for a maximum respective output of 90 kWh and 63 kWh, if you're dealing with a larger-than-average space.

(As a side note, my wife and I have been considering a full-time RV'ing lifestyle, so we will definitely be researching to see if the Powerwall would be a fitting solution for our mobile power needs.)

The Powerwall is expected to start shipping in late summer 2015, but can be reserved now.