"We are seeing very strong demand for Tesla Energy products globally, and particularly in Australia, Germany and South Africa" the company's letter to shareholders from Musk and CFO Deepak Ahuja reads.

Tesla's Model S deliveries. Credit:Fairfax Media

"Energy products" refers to Tesla's lithium-ion batteries that can be used to store solar energy - allowing for load shifting and providing back-up power, and, in theory, enabling people to go entirely "off the grid." The company's product for homes. the Powerwall, is expected to go on sale before the end of the year, and Australia will be among the first countries to get it.

It makes sense for the company to target Australia: more than 1 million homes already have solar power systems installed, according to the Clean Energy Council. Solar power is an attractive option for many because broadly speaking, we get a lot of sun and rising power prices mean it makes long-term financial sense for many.

Earlier this year, Tesla said in a press release that the Powerall "is a compelling option for Australian residential solar users, due to the unique structure of retail electricity and the feed-in-tariff solar pricing options across the country." And on its website, Tesla argues that by "storing your home's surplus power and using it when you would otherwise need to pull from the grid, Powerwall minimises your net spending."