Melbourne gets world first solar-powered ‘Tesla Town’

Glenvill's new plans for suburb YarraBend is hailed as the most environmentally sustainable development in the country, with inbuilt EV charging, solar roofs, Tesla batteries, and more.

Elon Musk’s Tesla has become synonymous with renewable energy, leading the industry of electric vehicles and energy storage. Less than half a year after Australia received its first Tesla Powerwalls, Melbourne property group Glenvill release plans of what could be the first solar-powered ‘Tesla neighborhood’.

The roofs of the homes will come with built-in solar panels, feature Tesla batteries, and of course, electric vehicle charging points — residents are expected to generate enough electricity that they will charge their cars for free. The 16.5 hectare suburb will be called YarraBend, to reflect the nearby Yarra River. Residents also benefit from high speed internet, and a YarraBend app that works like a concierge, sharing information such as public transport schedules, home delivery menus, carpooling options, neighborhood amenities, and more. Hailed as one of the most environmentally sustainable developments in the country, the suburb is predicted to see a water reduction of 43 percent, landfill reduction of 80 percent, and potential energy reduction of 34 percent.

Around 2,500 new townhouses and apartments will be on sale in the next month, starting from USD 1.48 million. Could suburbs like this be made more financially accessible?