WHEN the bank balance is getting low, it’s always nice to have the option of a $5 pizza.

But with soaring energy costs hitting homes and business across the nation, value range pizzas were looking like they could soon become a thing of the past.

So when Domino’s Plumpton decided to open its store in Western Sydney, it was investigating possible methods to offset excessive energy costs.

After consulting with renewable energy installer Natural Solar, the franchise installed a system consisting of ten individual Tesla Powerwall 2 units — the largest installation of its kind in the world.

Designed specifically to meet the needs of Domino’s, the Powerwalls combine to offer a total of 135 kWh in power, which is enough to run the store in its entirety for more than a full day.

While each Powerwall 2 retails in Australia for approximately $11,000, the system will generate savings for the company in the long term.

Chief executive and founder of Natural Solar Chris Williams said the instillation offered a strong return on investment for Domino’s from day one.

“This system has been designed to reduce peak load and maximise savings, with Domino’s being able to charge their Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries from the grid during off-peak times when the price per kW is lower,” he told news.com.au.

“Using the power stored throughout the day and night will reduce demand on the grid, keeping the ongoing cost of power down and will achieve further savings, which can then be passed onto consumers.”

Over the course of a year the ten TeslaPowerwall 2 units will cook more than 90,000 pizzas and 27,000 loaves of garlic bread. while also powering all appliances including ovens, refrigerators, freezers and lights.

“This system has offered a strong return on investment from day one as it’s created less pressure on the grid infrastructure and has negated the need for expensive updates to the grid, which would have been mandatory for Domino’s,” Mr Williams said.

Domino’s chief executive Nick Knight said they were pleased to be partnering with Natural Solar — an Australian company — to bring this innovative approach used in the new store.

“It excites me to see Domino’s stores and franchises leap at the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and technology to support the everyday running of their stores and businesses,” he said.

“We are testing the initiative and if all goes well, we look forward to seeing more Franchisees consider renewable energy solutions in order to power their stores.”

Following the staggering 20 per cent increase in electricity prices in July this year, Mr Williams said there has been a rapid increase in the number of Australians exploring natural storage and solar solutions.

“This installation at Dominos Plumpton is the largest Tesla Powerwall 2 installation in the world, and is just the tip of the iceberg of businesses searching for battery storage and renewable energy solutions that will allow long-term savings with options including off-peak load shifting, backup power, peak load reduction and maximising self-consumption of solar,” he said.

The benefits are not just limited to businesses, with Aussie homeowners reducing their energy bills by more than 90 per cent since having Tesla Powerwalls installed.

What do you think of the move by Domino’s? Continue the conversation in the comments below or with Matthew Dunn on Facebook and Twitter.