Prime Minister Narendra Modi has discussed with Tesla motors CEO Elon Musk the implications of the revolutionary battery technology in India and developments in renewable energy as he visited the automotive company’s headquarters.
The meeting focused on adapting and obtaining the company’s “Powerwall” invention for India, namely a long-term storage device for solar energy which could “bring energy to hitherto un-serviced areas of India,” MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
"However such battery storage as suitable for Indian needs would look at more than just solar power," officials said, adding that it could useful where there was a need for off-peak power from alternative sources. At this point, however, it appears that the cost of the battery may potentially exceed what is commercially feasible or widely affordable in the Indian context.
Discussions on adoption of renewable energy technology between Indian representatives and Tesla were preliminary and meant to understand the technologies and products. There was no talk of Tesla setting up manufacturing facilities in India but this could discussed in the future.
Thanks >@elonmusk for showing me around at >@TeslaMotors .Enjoyed discussion on how battery technology can help farmers >pic.twitter.com/r2YuSPPlty
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >September 27, 2015PTI adds:
“Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Prime Minister Modi discussed Tesla’s developments in battery technology, energy storage and renewable energy, and the positive implications of this innovation for India,” Tesla spokesperson Ricardo Reyes told PTI after Modi had an hour-long trip at its headquarters.
“We were delighted to host Prime Minister Modi at the Tesla Factory,” he said on Saturday.
During the meeting, Mr. Musk gave a presentation to Mr. Modi on the revolutionary technologies being developed by Tesla, which is likely to change the face of the motor industry and have wider implications on developing countries like India on renewable energy.
(With inputs from Srinivasan Ramani)
