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How Much Does A Tesla Solar Roof Cost. Full solar roof

How Much Does A Tesla Solar Roof Cost. Full solar roof

    How Much Does A Tesla Solar Roof Cost?

    Samantha covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She previously edited home repair and design content at The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.

    We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

    The Tesla Solar Roof, designed by Tesla, offers a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to modern day roofing. The roof comes with solar glass shingles and an integrated Powerwall battery to store generated energy. Though expensive—a two-story, 2,000 square foot, 11.28 kW Solar Roof costs just over 55,300 before incentives, assuming you’re replacing the original roof—the roof is intended to save money in the long run by reducing or eliminating a homeowner’s electricity bill entirely.

    THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

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    What Is a Tesla Solar Roof?

    Designed to maximize your home’s energy production, the Tesla Solar Roof is the first of its kind to enhance your home’s aesthetic while lowering your energy bill. The Tesla Solar Roof is constructed with a combination of glass solar tiles, glass roofing tiles, and architectural-grade steel tiles. The innovative roof is also built to be energy independent with its Powerwall, a compact home battery so it can be available throughout the day and even at night. Lastly, the solar roof is built to last. Each solar tile remains intact within all-weather conditions, ensuring your home stays protected rain or shine.

    Tesla Solar Roof Cost Estimates

    Rather than directly publishing rates, Tesla provides a Solar Roof calculator on their website that estimates the cost of installing a solar roof on your home. The calculator is based on your current electricity usage and the size of your home, among other factors. We ran three basic estimates to give you an idea of the price differences. Each estimate includes a roof replacement but does not factor in any incentives.

    FYI: All estimates were run on July 13, 2021.

    1,000 Single story 6.31 1 Powerwall 46,425
    2,000 Two-story 12.57 2 Powerwalls 64,193
    3,000 Three-story 18.83 3 Powerwalls 81,961

    Factors to Consider

    Tesla changes their depending on a number of factors, including those listed below.

    Roof Complexity

    Tesla recently introduced variations in installation depending on your roof complexity. Grouped into simple, intermediate and complex, the classification is intended to reflect the difficulty of installing a new roof onto your home. Though your roof may not meet all the criteria of a given category, in general:

    • A simple roof is single-level with low pitch and few obstructions
    • An intermediate roof is multi-level with a higher pitch and more obstructions
    • A complex roof is multi-level with a steep pitch and many obstructions

    Though there is no known set rate of increase between classifications, based on our hypothetical estimates using the Tesla Solar Roof calculator, you can expect a difference anywhere within 5,000 to 10,000 between each level.

    Roof Replacement

    The Solar Roof is meant to be installed on top of a single-layer 3-tab asphalt or composition shingle roof that is less than 20 years old. For any other roofing material, or on any buildings more complex, the roof must be replaced entirely. At its cheapest, requiring a roof replacement will add between 10,000 to 15,000 to your total.

    Additional Costs and Upgrades

    Depending on the current infrastructure present in your home, Tesla mentions that it may be necessary to perform additional upgrades during installation. This includes services such as extra electrical work or installation of a Solar Roof on a shed or deck. are quoted directly to you upon inspection, but it is important to note that they are not included in the Solar Roof calculator estimate.

    THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

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    Powerwall

    As part of the Tesla Solar Roof package, it is mandatory that you also use the company’s integrated battery system, called Powerwall. Powerwall collects up to 13.5kWh generated by the solar panels throughout the day and then uses that energy to power the home anytime energy is not being generated, such as at night or during a power outage.

    It can also monitor power usage. The more appliances you intend to run using the Powerwall, the more devices are required: for example, a single Powerwall cannot run any large appliances, but three Powerwall units can run multiple large appliances at the same time. You can have up to 10 Powerwall units connected to the same system.

    A Powerwall currently costs around 6,500 for the battery unit. Installation and set-up fees add another 4,000, ending up at a total price of 10,500. Each additional Powerwall unit costs 6,500 each, with no known additional installation costs. As having a Powerwall system is required in order to have a Solar Roof, it is important that you ensure all your devices are capable of accessing the software and that you know exactly what purposes and appliances you want to use the battery for.

    Incentives

    Federal or state-level incentives may deduct a significant amount from your final bill. The Tesla Solar Roof calculator helpfully factors in these incentives. You can also find them listed on the Tesla website. While incentives vary at the state level, any roof installed on a residential building from 2020 to 2023 can expect a 26% Federal Tax Credit.

    Process

    A Tesla Solar Roof may take a while to install. In some rural or less populated areas, Tesla may not yet perform installations of the Solar Roof. If this is the case for your location, contact Tesla directly for more information about when Solar Roof services will become available to you.

    You can purchase your Tesla Solar Roof directly from the Tesla website, paying an initial deposit of 100 in order to confirm your order and calculator estimate. Tesla then remotely designs a Solar Roof system specifically for your house, using information that you provide and satellite imagery.

    Then, any authorizations or permits that must be granted have to be approved. After that, installation of the roof will take place, followed by a necessary inspection from local authorities and then the final connection of the Powerwall system to your utility grid. The exact timeline and requirements for finishing any of these steps will vary depending on a number of factors. This includes, but is not limited to, your location, the number of third parties that must be involved and the weather.

    Importantly, these steps may accrue extra costs not estimated by the Solar Roof calculator. Take this into consideration when reviewing your initial estimate.

    Tesla Solar Panels vs. Tesla Solar Roof

    Tesla Solar Panels can be installed on top of existing roofs and are significantly cheaper than a Solar Roof—though still expensive compared to other solar panels on the market. The same two-story, 2,000 square foot house from the article’s introduction would only need to spend 26,900 (before incentives) to have Tesla Solar Panels installed.

    However, these panels would only generate 8.16 kW instead of the Solar Roof’s 11.28 kW, making it more difficult to be self-powered. Powerwall also comes with the Tesla Solar Panels if you are interested in storing your energy.

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    Tesla Solar Roof Cost vs. Solar Panels Cost

    Tesla Solar Roof is a revolutionary glass solar roof that completely replaces your current roof. In comparison, traditional solar panels are installed directly on your existing roof. Therefore, Tesla Solar Roof tiles will be more expensive than traditional solar panels, costing 21.50 per square foot. While traditional solar panels typically cost between 4 to 10 per square foot.

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    Did Tesla Drastically Increase Its Solar Roof Price?

    Due to supply chain costs and enhancements made to the solar roofs, Tesla has drastically increased the price of its solar roofs. The new have factored in the complexities of installing Tesla solar roofs, which was an oversight in the past.

    What Size Tesla Roof Will You Need?

    When considering installing a Tesla Solar Roof, its size will be determined by a few key factors, such as where you live, the characteristics of your roof, and your current energy use. However, Tesla offers four standard solar sizes to deliver high-quality solar systems at industry-leading prices.

    THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

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    Is It Worth It to Get a Tesla Solar Roof?

    If you’re willing to pay the high price point, need to replace your roof and like the idea and sleek aesthetic of Tesla’s solar shingles, then it may be worth it to get a Solar Roof. Otherwise, Tesla’s Solar Panels, or even traditional solar panel systems such as those found on Forbes best solar panels for home guide, may make more financial sense while still increasing your home’s energy efficiency.

    Tesla’s solar options are significantly more expensive than other solar companies and renewable energy alternatives on the market, and the company has had a record of changing quoted for the Solar Roof fairly regularly. However, if you have the finances and do not mind integrating your home into the Tesla system, a Solar Roof is a good long-term investment for your home.

    To arrive at the average costs in this article, a number of providers and cost databases were surveyed on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.

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    THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

    Does the Tesla Solar Roof increase home value?

    Yes. The Tesla Solar Roof allows your home to have source of sustainable renewable energy, as well as giving your home a sleek, modern look. If the Solar Roof replaced your pre-existing roof, then your roof will also be good for at least another 20 years.

    How long does the Tesla solar roof last?

    A Tesla Solar Roof ensures they will provide your home with clean, efficient solar energy with its 25-year warranty.

    How long is the installation time for a Tesla Solar Roof?

    Exact installation time depends on the size of your roof and how difficult the installation process is. However, Tesla states that most installations take approximately one week to complete. Keep in mind that the entire process may be delayed if there are issues with third-party authorizations, financing or even the weather.

    How efficient is the Tesla Solar Roof?

    Tesla has not yet released exact data on the efficiency of the Solar Roof, either as a whole or by shingle. It is expected to be competitive with other solar shingle brands on the market.

    How much electricity does a Tesla solar roof generate?

    The amount of electricity a Tesla Solar Roof generates depends on the amount of solar shingles that have been installed. Tesla will estimate your energy requirements based on your current electric bill and the size of your home, and provide you with a system that should more than meet your energy needs.

    Can you go off-grid with a Tesla Solar Roof?

    While it may be difficult to go completely off-grid with a Tesla Solar Roof, if you have enough Powerwalls, it is possible to reach a high level of self-sufficiency. Ultimately, whether or not you can go off-grid will depend on your initial Solar Roof and Powerwall investment, and how much energy you use throughout the year.

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    The Tesla Solar Roof: Pros and Cons of Installing Solar Roof Tiles

    Tesla’s Solar Roof tiles have been creating plenty of buzz in the world of solar power, and some people want to know more about these tiles and if Namaste Solar installs them. Namaste Solar does not currently install Solar Roof tiles, but we can help you cut through some of the media hype to decide whether solar roof tiles are a good option for you. In this post we’ll look at the pros and cons of the Tesla Solar Roof for your residential solar energy system.

    Tesla Solar Roof: What You Need to Know

    Deployment of Tesla’s Solar Roof product has been slow with significant delays. According to PV Magazine, there may only be 100 Solar Roof systems connected to the grid so far, even though the product has been available for three years. The wait may be worth it for some who value the differentiating elements of the product. Other homeowners may want to start seeing the benefits of clean solar energy now, including seeing solar savings in their

    Pros of Tesla Roof Tiles

    Design: The most noticeable difference between solar panels and the Solar Roof is design. Tesla offers four different styles to choose from; textured, smooth, Tuscan, or slate styled solar roof tiles. The tiles mimic the look of a traditional roof so your neighbors won’t even know you have solar on your house (though many of our customers enjoy being solar trendsetters). If you want to maintain the aesthetics of your rooftop, the Solar Roof tiles are a great option for adding solar energy to your home.

    Warranty and durability: Tesla roof tiles are made with tempered glass that is more durable than standard roofing tiles. Tesla stands behind the durability of their product with an infinite warranty (or the lifetime of your house). We don’t know the full details of their warranty, but that’s quite a bold offer.

    Cons of Tesla Roof Tiles

    Cost: To install Tesla’s Solar Roof, you’re required to replace your whole roof – even if you don’t need a new roof right now. That means you’re paying for the cost of both a solar energy system and a new roof. According to EnergySage, on an apples-to-apples comparison: “Tesla’s solar roof will cost nearly 25,000 more than installing solar panels, and yet will only deliver 77 percent as much solar electricity (due to it being a smaller system size).

    Unknown Maintenance Costs: Since the Tesla roof tiles are a new product, the maintenance costs and processes are an unknown. If you have a roof leak, for example, how complex would it be to fix? Could you call a roofer in your area or would Tesla be the only company able to perform the fix – and how much more would that cost than a regular roof repair? There is also the question of how Tesla will deliver on the infinite warranty for required maintenance. Will the company have the financial strength and longevity to deliver on that guarantee?

    Unknown Return on Investment: When you crunch the numbers (like this Forbes contributor did), solar panels still offer a significantly higher return on investment. According to their head-to-head comparison of the Tesla Solar Roof vs. solar panels for the same house, the Tesla Solar Roof cost 48.9% more and yielded just 2.79% of the savings that the solar panels delivered. In other words, with the Solar Roof you pay almost 50% more and get 97% less in savings. Ouch.

    Are Solar Roof Tiles for You?

    The Tesla Solar Roof is an option for homeowners who are concerned about the aesthetics of their rooftop because the tiles look like a traditional rooftop. The tiles do come with a high price tag, though, and will make a Tesla Solar Roof cost prohibitive for many homeowners. Solar panels are still a reliable, tested, and durable option for homeowners who are looking for a great return on investment.

    On the Front Range and Thinking About Going Solar?

    If your home is on the Front Range in Colorado, Namaste Solar is happy to help you decide if solar is the right fit for you! Reach out to get a quote from one of our non-commissioned solar experts today.

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    Tesla Solar Roof: the complete review

    In October 2019, Tesla Motors announced the launch of the Tesla Solar Roof V3, the company’s third version of its integrated solar glass shingle. Among several updates, version three included larger tiles, lower production costs, increased power density, and a more straightforward installation process.

    Additionally, the total number of parts in the product decreased. Tesla predicted that these changes would significantly reduce the cost of the product; however, the company has continued to struggle with expediting its solar roof installations.

    The Tesla Solar Roof: EnergySage’s take

    While Tesla is most famous for its electric vehicles (EVs), the company’s future lies in total clean energy integration – a one-step carbon reduction process that involves pairing solar panels with your Tesla EV. For home owners who want the benefits of solar without the “look” of solar, the Tesla Solar Roof provides an enticing alternative: but is this luxury roof the right option for you?

    What’s in this article?

    There’s a lot in here, and we’ll try to speak to every aspect of the solar roof. Skip ahead to any of the sections below:

    • What are solar shingles?
    • Latest news on the solar roof
    • Solar Roof key events timeline
    • Solar roof specifications
    • Cost estimates
    • Should you wait for the Tesla Solar Roof?
    • Tesla’s competitors

    The Tesla Solar Roof: what you need to know

    Some solar industry stakeholders believe that solar needs to be rebranded as an aesthetic and technical improvement that can be a part of a home renovation rather than a hefty module affixed to your rooftop. That sentiment was emphasized in Elon Musk’s October 2016 launch of Tesla’s first roofing product. With the Solar Roof, the company aims to bring solar further into the mainstream by removing any sort of aesthetic concerns that homeowners may have.

    much, does, tesla, solar

    “I think there’s quite a radical difference between having solar panels on your roof that actually make your house look better versus ones that do not, I think it’s going to be a night-and-day difference,” said Musk in a statement before the official launch of Tesla’s first solar roof. Two months later, he unveiled the solar roof using a crowded, suburban event in California to demonstrate that Tesla’s panel design was so seamlessly integrated that the entire audience of press needed to be altered to its presence on the house in front of them.

    Using a Tesla Powerwall home battery with the Tesla Solar Roof

    Tesla Solar Roofs come paired with energy storage in the form of a Tesla Powerwall battery. The Tesla Powerwall boasts a maximum power rating of 7 kW with no sun or 9.6 kW with full sun to go along with 13.5 kWh of usable capacity. It can also help provide solar power to your home during a power outage. It also comes with the Tesla app that allows users to monitor their energy production in real- time. Tesla Powerwalls are eligible for the federal tax credit.

    What’s the latest news on the Tesla Solar Roof tiles?

    Tesla has now installed Solar Roofs across the country, though the exact number of installations is unclear. This solar product has been gaining popularity among some consumers, leading to long installation wait times for customers who sign contracts. In April 2021, many of these customers were shocked when they received emails from Tesla quoting higher installation costs than their contract prices. The lack of explanation and transparency caused confusion and frustration among consumers, especially if they could no longer afford the hefty price tag.

    During Tesla’s quarterly earnings call in April 2021, CEO Elon Musk affirmed that demand “remains strong” for the Tesla Solar Roof, despite increases in Solar Roof pricing. He did concede that Tesla “basically made some significant mistakes in assessing the difficulty of certain roofs.” Tesla has added roof complexity information to its website and a roof complexity disclaimer to its Solar Roof calculator; however, Tesla notes that your roof complexity won’t be determined until after you place an order for a Solar Roof. Tesla divides the complexity into three categories–simple, intermediate, and complex–based on the following criteria:

    • Simple: single-level roof, uncrowded mounting planes, few obstructions (pipes, chimneys, skylights), low pitch
    • Intermediate: multi-level roof (roof sections built on multiple stories of your house), more crowded mounting plane, more obstructions (pipes, chimneys, skylights), higher pitch
    • Complex: multi-level roof (roof sections built on multiple stories of your house), heavily crowded mounting plane, many obstructions (pipes, chimneys, skylights), steep pitch

    Based on previous reports, the price of a Tesla Solar Roof varies substantially depending on your roof’s complexity.

    Timeline of key Tesla Solar Roof news and announcements

    Tesla seems to have a pattern of overpromising and underdelivering in regard to its solar roof. Here’s a breakdown of what the past several years have looked like for the company and its customers.

    • April 2016: Tesla purchases Solarcity and begins production on solar panels and the solar roof.
    • May 2017: Tesla began taking orders for its Tesla solar tiles
    • August 2017: Elon Musk revealed that he and another Tesla executive already had the roof installed on their respective properties.
    • January 2018: The company announced it was ramping up production of the roof product at its Buffalo Gigafactory. Tesla then started initial installations with customers at the top of its waitlist in the California area in mid-March, roughly eight months after its initial estimate.
    • May 2018: Tesla had about 11,000 orders for the solar roof and it was struggling to meet the demand.
    • August 2018: Only 12 solar roofs had been installed in California, the leading state in the country for solar.
    • September 2018: A report was released stating that solar roofs may not be widely installed for a long time. According to CNBC, Musk said they needed more time to work out all the details. “There’s only so much accelerated life testing that you can do on a roof. So before we can deploy it at a large number of houses we need to make sure that it’s that all elements of the roof are going to last for at least three decades,” said Musk in a summer 2018 meeting. The statement lacked both commitment and a clear timeline.
    • November 2018: According to a Bloomberg report, the company began ramping up production, implementing 24/7 operating hours with about 80 employees per shirt for solar roof shingle production alone. Tesla’s head of energy operations, Sanjay Shah, stated that Tesla was gearing up for the solar roof side of its business to see “tremendous growth in 2019.” Musk himself tweeted that the first solar roof deployments would begin around summer 2019.
    • June 2019: Despite continued delays and earnings losses, Musk tweeted that he hoped to manufacture about 1,000 solar roofs per week by the end of 2019.
    • October 2019: Tesla announced the Tesla Solar Roof V3, which featured updates to increase manufacturing and deployment, and reduce prices.
    • Late 2020: Tesla experienced some achievements for its solar roofs throughout the year, almost tripling its installations between quarter one and quarter two. In quarter four, Tesla announced that it had “made great progress growing [its] solar roof deployments,” but didn’t provide date to back up its claim.
    • April 2021: Tesla Solar Roof customers have continued to experience delays and a lack of transparency from Tesla.
    • May 2021: Some customers sued Tesla over unexpected hikes.
    • June 2021: electrek confirmed that Tesla’s head of energy operations had left the company after months of rumors.
    • October 2021: Tesla expanded solar roof installations to anywhere in the United States.
    • November 2021: electrek announced that Solar Roof tiles will be more efficient, have higher capacity, and might be able to be installed over existing roofs.

    Tesla Solar Roof specifications: what are you getting?

    If you’re interested in installing a Tesla Solar Roof, you’re probably wondering what you’re getting of each solar shingle. We’ll explain some of the specifications of the Solar Roof:

    Design

    Despite previous announcements about multiple design offerings–including tuscan glass tile, slate glass tile, textured glass tile, and smooth glass tile–the Tesla Solar Roof is only currently available in one shingle design. According to Tesla’s website, each shingle has a dimension of 15 inches by 45 inches, is 5 mm thick, and is made of glass, polymers, fiberglass, and silicon. The shingle is designed to resemble a traditional asphalt shingle.

    Warranty

    Tesla provides 25-year product, weatherization, and module warranties, comparable to leading solar panel brands. The warranty also guarantees that your Solar Roof will be at least 95 percent of its “Rated Peak Power” at five years following installation and that it will decline by no more than 0.5 percent per year for the following 20 years –essentially guaranteeing 85 percent output in year 25. Its inverter has a 12.5-year warranty, which aligns with warranties for other string inverter brands; however, this warranty is lower than warranties for many microinverters, which are often 20 to 25 years.

    How much does the Tesla Solar Roof cost?

    With the new complexity categories explained above, it’s a bit difficult to fully estimate the cost of a Tesla Solar Roof. The cost varies significantly depending on whether your roof is “simple” or “complex” and depending on the square footage of your roof. If you have a fairly small – and not too complex – roof that you already need to replace, the price of a Solar Roof will probably be fairly comparable to that of a new asphalt roof installation plus solar panels. However, as you increase the size and/or complexity of your roof, you can expect this number quickly skyrocket.

    Should you wait for the Tesla Solar Roof?

    Standard solar panel technologies are typically evaluated based on their performance, durability, and warranties. However, Tesla’s lack of transparency makes it difficult to compare to traditional solar panels. Four years after the initial launch of Tesla’s solar roof, the company still hasn’t revealed the shingles’ efficiency and customers are still experiencing long wait times and surprise price increases.

    If you’re in dire need of a roof upgrade or if you won’t need a roof upgrade for a while, the Tesla Solar Roof may not be worth your long wait. Solar panels are extremely dependable (and we think they look great, too!). However, if you need to upgrade your roof soon (but not immediately) and your roof isn’t too complex or large, you may be a good candidate for the Tesla Solar Roof. Additionally, if you’re set on the look and have the capital to cover the cost, the system may be the best choice for you, though it may be worth your while to compare the Tesla Solar Roof to other solar roof products.

    Tesla’s solar shingles are best suited for new construction

    Most existing solar shingle technologies are also known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) because they are integrated with your existing roof and are a similar size and shape to standard roof tiles. Tesla has created something different. In August 2016, Musk first explained the difference between solar shingles and Tesla’s solar roof: “It’s not a thing on the roof. It is the roof.”

    Unlike other solar shingles, Tesla’s roof tiles are designed to completely replace your existing roof (though electrek did recently report that you may soon be able to install them over existing roofs). As a result, the most cost-effective way to install them is when your home is being built, which means that they are best suited for homebuyers who have a say in the design and materials of their newly constructed home. While this doesn’t mean that they can’t be used on existing homes, retrofitting your roof with Tesla solar tiles means removing your existing roof (which Tesla will do for you). As a result, retrofitting your roof with Tesla solar tiles is only practical when your roof is already due to be replaced.

    Who are Tesla’s solar roof competitors?

    Though the buzz around Tesla’s illustrious roof product has made it appear like it’s a new concept, it is merely the continued repackaging brilliance that some call the “Musk effect.” Development of solar roof tiles and solar shingles has been evolving for many years, and a number of companies have taken a stab at designing a versatile, subtle rooftop solar medium that could be considered a genuine roofing material rather than a module add-on. Here are some of Tesla’s solar roof competitors that offer similar BIPV products:

    • Luma – these solar shingles can be integrated with all roofing material and install similarly to traditional metal roofing. Luma markets its product as the only upgradable solar shingle system and boasts an efficiency of 22.1 percent.
    • Suntegra – this Northeast solar manufacturer is at the forefront of the solar roof product line. The company hails from New York and began offering its two solar roof products just a few months before the announcement of Tesla’s shingles. Suntegra’s solar shingles are designed to be integrated with low-profile roof materials and are about 15.9 to 17.2 percent efficient. Its solar tiles are slightly less efficient at 13.9 to 15.1 percent and are designed to be integrated with standard flat concrete tile roofs.
    • CertainTeed – originally a roofing company, this contractor now offers two solar roof products, with similar integration strategies to Suntegra. Its Apollo II system includes solar shingles to match low-profile roofs, which are about 15.4 percent efficient. CertainTeed’s Apollo Tile II system integrates solar tiles with flat concrete tiles roofs and its tiles are about 16 percent efficient.

    It’s important to note that the solar shingles and tiles offered by these companies do still stand out against other roofing material. None can compete with Tesla in terms of aesthetics or subtlety, but they do offer low-profile BIPV solutions that may alleviate aesthetic concerns for some solar shoppers.

    Frequently asked questions about the Tesla Solar Roof

    While the cost of switching to solar is high, and the news and information surrounding Tesla Solar Roofs can be confusing or nearly obsolete, it’s important to research each product, company, and topic before making a decision. Learn more about the Tesla Solar Roof by reading these commonly asked questions:

    Depending on your location, Tesla will send its own installers or contractors to set up your system after purchasing a Solar Roof.

    Tesla claims that their shingles are three times stronger than the average roof tile and are built to endure all weather conditions. They have the highest fire rating (Class A) and are built to withstand 110 mph winds (Class F), so you can feel confident even in extreme weather conditions.

    Tesla offers a 25-year warranty on the system’s tiles, power, and weatherization. Plus, its inverter has a 12.5-year warranty, giving homeowners peace of mind regarding their investment.

    Learn how much solar can save you today before you make your decision

    Just as Tesla doesn’t make electric vehicles for the masses, Tesla’s solar roof isn’t feasible for every home. In many ways, the company’s solar roof product is similar to its first electric car. If you are an early adopter of newer technologies, don’t care about price, and are prepared to wait for a product with an uncertain manufacturing timeline, then waiting for Tesla’s solar roof could be the right decision for you.

    Additionally, waiting to go solar has its risks, even if you’re interested in the solar roof. The cost of going solar is falling every year, and there are premium solar panels already available today that come with high-efficiency ratings and a sleek black design. If you wait years for the Tesla Solar Roof, you will lose out on years of savings on your electricity bill. You also run the risk of missing out on financial incentives for solar: many state tax credits have already expired and as of now, the federal investment tax credit for solar will be lowered to 22 percent in 2023.

    Before you make the decision to wait for the Tesla Solar Roof, use our solar calculator to learn how much you can save today by going solar. If you’re ready to explore the solar options for your home, join the EnergySage Marketplace and get custom quotes from solar installers in your area. You might be surprised by just how much you can save now by installing traditional solar panels on your roof.

    Where to buy solar roof tiles

    reading on EnergySage

    Looking to go solar? Here’s everything you need to know in… Solar shingles: what you need to know in 2023 Best solar panels in 2023: Top products compared Tesla Solar Roof cost vs. solar panels Solar farms: what are they and how do they work?

    About Emily Walker

    With over five years of experience in environmental science and clean energy, Emily is an expert in solar, battery, and energy management technology and policy. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Biology from Colby College. Emily is always looking for ways to live her life more sustainably and is currently in the process of electrifying her home.

    much, does, tesla, solar

    Tesla Solar Roof

    Design an absolutely beautiful roof that will last decades, increase your home value, and decrease your utility bill and carbon footprint.

    The Tesla Solar Roof is a solar energy system made up of tempered glass tiles with solar cells embedded inside. This roof is built to last, will pay for itself with the energy you produce, and get the most out of your roof.

    Tesla Solar Roof Shingle

    Tile warranty25 yearsWeatherization warranty25 yearsRoof pitch9.5° to 45°

    Hail rating Class 3 ANSI FM 4473 Wind rating Class F ASTM D3161 (BEST HAIL RATING) (BEST WIND RATING)

    Better, Stronger, Longer Lasting.

    Tesla solar roof tiles are 3x stronger than asphalt or slate. Its tempered glass construction makes solar roof exceptionally durable, and can even withstand up to 1.75 inches of hail. Engineered for all-weather protection, Solar Roof will keep going strong while producing clean energy for decades to come.

    Powerwall Battery Backup

    Powerwall is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is bundled with each Tesla Solar purchase, and will provide you with 24/7 energy backup in the event of a power outage or nightfall.

    This compact home battery stores the energy you produce with Solar Roof for instant backup power when you need it most. Powerwall recharges with solar, giving you an infinite supply to electricity at any time of day.

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