Thinking of getting a Tesla Solar Roof? Here’s everything you need to know
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First launched in 2016, Elon Musk’s Solar Roof system has taken the photovoltaic (PV) world by storm. Tesla’s Solar Roof is not the only solar roof tiles on the market but is some of the most attractive and most expensive.
Solar tiles offer a completely different approach to solar PV installations, the final product is, inarguably, far superior in aesthetic terms to traditional solar PV installations, and seeks to add a cool factor to generating your own power.
While Tesla claims its Solar Roof is competitive in terms of providing a two-for-one solution (you do get a new roof after all), ultimately, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
So, is Tesla’s Solar Roof all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s take an honest look.
What is Tesla’s Solar Roof?
Tesla’s Solar Roof, like other solar roof tiles, is an innovative system of specially engineered roofing tiles or shingles. Unlike conventional solar PV panels that are mounted onto an existing roof, a solar roof acts as a direct replacement for existing roof coverings.
The system allows potential customers to benefit from generating their own power without unduly affecting the aesthetics of their homes. Win-win.
Tesla’s Solar Roof consists of two main types of textured glass tile shingles. The first is purely decorative and is termed inactive. These look exactly the same as the second kind, called Active, to ensure a uniform look of the finished roof.
The Active shingles are effectively small, shingle-sized solar panels that are integrated into the main roof surface in strategic places to maximize their efficiency. In most cases, most of the south or west-facing areas of a roof will consist of Active shingles, with the rest of the surface consisting of the visually similar Inactive shingles.
Active shingles, like conventional solar panels, will also be fitted as close to the best angle of incidence to the Sun’s rays throughout the year. In the northern hemisphere, this is as close to a 60 degrees inclination as possible, which, on most domestic homes is around 30-45 degrees, depending on the pitch of your existing roof.
Of course, if you choose to install a Solar Roof, your old roof will need to be stripped and replaced in totality.
The system can also be used with a Tesla Solar Inverter to convert the direct current generated by the shingles to useable alternating current in your home. While non-Tesla inverters can also be used, the use of Tesla’s own proprietary equipment ensures the systems will run with fewer potential snags.
This inverter also enables you to tag on a Tesla Powerwall battery to store excess energy, if desired.
The system was developed in a collaboration between Tesla and its subsidiary SolarCity and was first announced in 2016. It wasn’t until 2018 that Tesla and SolarCity were in a position to begin the manufacture and delivery of their first Solar Roofs, however.
Since then, Tesla has continued to make improvements to the technology, with its latest variant, Solar Roof V3, boasting the best efficiency and durability to date. The product comes with a generous 25-year weatherization warranty.
Great, but what are some of the downsides? One is whether Tesla actually serves your geographical area.
For the most part, Tesla should be able to provide an installation in most of the continental United States. However, in some states, they may use authorized installers to do so.
The same is true for other parts of the world, with the rollout continuing around the world. If you are interested in finding out if they serve your area, the best thing to do is contact Tesla, or try to get a quote, and they will tell you.
How much does a Tesla solar roof cost?
According to data from actual Tesla quotes, their Solar Wall system costs approximately 1.80 per generated watt of electricity for their Active shingles. The cost of their Inactive shingles then varies depending on the complexity of the roof in question.
For simple roofs, i.e., basic pitched roofs start at around 13.30 per square foot. For more tricky roofs like hipped roofs or multiple-level roofs, these shingles should cost about 15.30 per square foot. For more complex roofs (i.e. cross-gabled, steep or variable pitched, multiple heights, or lots of obstacles), costs could be as high as 18.54 per square foot.
You will also be charged for the removal and disposal of your old roof at a rate of around 3.55 per square foot.
Just like any solar energy installation, the actual cost will vary depending on the size of roof coverage, location, and construction of the building. Smaller pitched roofs on a single-story home will be considerably cheaper than a large complex roof on a multi-story building, for example.
This is for a variety of reasons, but chief among them are additional costs for access equipment to higher roofs or increased time in labor to design and install the roof on larger and more complex roofs like cross-gabled roofs.
Tesla may also require customers to upgrade their electrical systems in order to actually work with their Solar Roof system. Upgrading elements like electrical panels can cost anywhere in the region of 5,000 and up.
However, to give you a rough estimate, using Tesla’s own calculator, a good-sized family home would cost around 70,000 dollars to install an 8.05 kW system before tax incentives. This quote is based on a home in Nashville, Texas, with a floor area of 2,500 feet 2 (232 m 2 ) and using an average monthly energy bill of 115 (this was the U.S. average in 2019, according to the EIA).
This, according to Tesla’s estimates, should be able to produce for this hypothetical home, somewhere in the order of 12,800 kWh/year, or roughly 100% of the building’s electrical energy consumption. You also get the added bonus (for additional cost) of energy storage with this system, which is a considerable advantage over some conventional domestic solar panel arrays.
If this estimate is accurate, that should provide a payback period (the time taken to recover your initial investment) of about 50 years, give or take. This will likely be closer to 40 years after tax incentives are factored in to reduce your initial capital outlay.
Another estimate for a 1,700 ft 2 (158m 2 ) roof in California with an electrical bill of 150 per month came in at 39,000 before incentives for a 6.13-kilowatt system. It should be noted that this quote was generated in 2022 and for a different state, so costs likely vary for that reason.
You should also remember that energy costs from the grid are likely to rise over time, so the true payback will likely be much shorter, ignoring any maintenance and cleaning costs of course.
We’ve chosen this square footage as it is about the average size of a new family home in the United States.
To put that into perspective, installing a similarly sized conventional solar panel array would cost around 26,000 before incentives. Using the same statistics as above would give you an equitable payback of between 15 and 22 years, depending on tax incentives.
However, remember that the estimated lifespan of conventional solar panels is also roughly 25 to 30 years, so you would probably need to replace the array after a few decades.
It should be noted, however, that such estimates should be taken with a pinch of salt. The final figures will likely vary widely depending on where your home is located if you were to actually order an installation.
This is especially the case for conventional solar panel installations and you are always advised to source several quotes from recommended installers before authorizing any work.
Any and all costs for such installations should also include any planning and design work required prior to the installation. This will not only ensure the costings are as accurate as possible but also discover if your existing roof is appropriate for such an installation.
The latter is less relevant for Tesla solar roofs, as these tend to be a direct replacement for your existing roof covering.
You should also note that costs are likely to vary over time as labor, consumable, and material costs will fluctuate, given the current economic climate. There may be other costs, too, such as various local authority planning requirements, where relevant.
Solar panels vs. Tesla solar roof: which one is better?
Generally speaking, on a per watt average cost, Tesla’s Solar Roof is actually pretty reasonable, all things considered. According to some estimates, in the United States, Tesla’s come in at around 1.80 per watt. Traditional solar PV panels tend to cost around 3.00 per watt.
However, any direct comparison between the two is complicated by a few factors. The first is that Tesla’s Solar Roof is not just some PV solar panels but actually a new roof and some PV panels in one package.
Traditional solar PV panels are where your roof can handle it, simply mounted to an existing roof without needing to replace it. So, in order to provide a fair comparison, we’ll need to do a like-for-like summing up.
Solar Roof Tiles. What Are The Pros and Cons?
Akshay VR. 05 Aug 2022
The popularity of solar power is increasing day after day. Solar power has become the desire of many. Solar shingles, or tiles, are promptly converting into the popular category. These panels are designed to look like conventional roofing materials or tiles. People who want to transform their homes to environmentally and budget-friendly solar power are facilitating many advantages. Solar tiles are more durable in nature than panels and ordinary roof shingles. They are also lighter in weight so that the roofing structure does not take much stress. This creates a multifunctional roof covering, which is a long-term investment.
What Are Solar Tiles?
Solar tiles consist of thin-film solar cells that are made up of copper indium gallium selenite. The size of the tiles is 12×86 inches and has an approx. Weight of 13 pounds per square foot. The cell material is light and flexible and is a good semiconductor. Solar tiles are relatively new and are based on high technology, so they need to be installed by professionals. Installation is a labor-intensive job, so one has to make sure that it is done properly to protect your investment. Each tile is placed individually while wiring every wire inside the structure. Certain permissions are required to own solar-powered equipment, and a professional installer can handle this for you too.
How Much Power is Produced by the Solar System?
To generate more energy in a more efficient way with limited spacing, all the features of solar panels must be inherited from the tiles. There are various challenges faced by the tiles, but instead, the solar tile can produce up to the power of 50 and 114 Watts. When it comes to generating more power, homeowners need to consider the sides of the roof. The best location to install the solar tile is in the southern direction. The northern sides of the roof must be covered with matching tiles of regular roofing material.
Solar Tile Maintenance
Solar tiles look similar to roofing tiles, and the maintenance of the same is simple. You do not require specialized equipment to clean the solar tiles. Always make sure of some of the things while cleaning the solar tiles to remove the leaves, debris, snow, and ice. These tiles are lightweight but can hold large loads and heavy gusts of wind. With regular maintenance and cleaning processes, solar tiles can last for 25 and 30 years.
How Much Cost Does Solar Roof Tiles Require?
Provider to provide the cost of solar tiles varies, but an expected amount is 5,000 per kilowatt. While making a comparison, the residential solar panel system costs around 3,000 per kilowatt, whereas large commercial and industrial projects can reach the cost of upto 1,000 per kilowatt. In terms of cost, solar shingles have no comparison with solar panels in larger projects. However, they can prove to be very much cost-effective in the residential sector, especially when a roof upgrade and a solar power system are being considered.
When making a big decision between solar panels and solar shingles, personal preferences play a vital role. Since solar roof costs double the price of normal PV modules, their payback period is also double. However, the service life of both of the products is over 25 years. Long-term savings can be expected in both cases, but the solar shingles need more time to reach positive cash flow.
Working on Solar Roof Tiles
Solar tiles are generally made up of photovoltaic cells, and each tile is connected to the power distribution board via cables. These cells absorb the sunlight and convert it into solar energy, and from this energy, electrical energy is generated.
The energy is generated by each of the tiles and thus later converted into electricity either by making the utilization of an inverter or a solar diverter. These procedures are performed under the supervision of a trained professional.
The quantity of solar energy which is connected to the other tile is dependent on the amount of sunlight. Hence, these tiles are more efficient during the summer season.
To ensure maximum efficiency:
The maintenance and cleanliness of the solar tiles must be done on a regular basis.
Overlapping of the tiles is not mandatory.
Advantages of Solar Tiles:
Energy Efficient
The production of efficient energy is the biggest advantage of solar tile roofs and probably the most appealing thing to attract potential buyers. Solar roofs can help in the reduction of your electrical bill by the production of clean energy. The energy produced by the solar shingles is about 110 Watts per meter squared, while the tiles produce about 70 watts per meter squared.
Eco-Friendly
Solar roofs are more environmentally friendly power generation sources than fossil-fueled power sources. There is a myth that the machines and manufacturing processes used to produce solar panels are powered by fossil fuels. However, in the future, they will be capable enough to run those machines and manufacturing processes from clean energy sources.
Fire Resistance
The solar roof tiles and shingles are made up of bad conductors of heat to meet the highest class specification for fire resistance which is a Class A fire rating.
Impact Resistance
Solar roofs are made up of strong glass that is highly impact resistant. The solar tiles are much more than the impact rating of Class 4 impact resistance. One solar company guaranteed that its Solar Tiles are 3 times stronger than other roofing materials.
Wind Resistance
The solar tiles are resistant to wind. They can handle wind speeds of up to 130 mph. This makes them a feasible option for those places that experience high winds.
Life Expectancy
The estimated life of solar tiles is about 25 – 40 years. However, these numbers are just the expectations because this type of roof system is less than 10 years old.
Solar Tiles are inflexible in nature and state that they will keep on working. They are more capable of holding things than other tile roofs that include slate, which can be brittle and break if stepped on.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Solar roof tiles have a good look and field. The looks are non-similar to the traditionally used bulky solar panels. The tiles are sleek and blend in shape with the roof, which can give it a nice clean contemporary look.
Solar tiles are available In differentiated shapes and forms.
Solar roofing tiles can be more versatile in nature than residential and commercial roofs. However, we have a belief that they are more commonly used in residential homes.
Solar labs is one of the best solar design software widely used by industry experts. It helps you design a highly accurate design in under 15mins.
Innovative Technology
Solar shingles or tiles are the cutting edges of the latest roofing technology. This definitely is a major advantage. Some of the originally selected Solar Roof Glass owners have grabbed a lot of attention from the media about their new roofs. They became the pioneers of this new technology.
Phone Monitoring
Solar roof systems can be linked to your smartphones with the help of an application. This app permits homeowners to monitor and keep track of their roof’s energy savings.
UV Resistance
Solar roof tiles are made up of elements that are UV resistant. This feature helps in protecting the roof from harmful UV radiation. Which helps extend the lifespan of the roof system.
Low Maintenance
This is one of the major advantages in the category. The life span of the solar roof tiles is less than 10 years, so we aren’t fully sure about what kind of maintenance is required there. It is the point to think that as long as the solar tiles are appropriately interconnected, they do not ask for any type of maintenance. However, early adopters of this new technology may experience some maintenance and repair functionalities because solar roof tiles are in the testing stage to see how long they will last and what kind of maintenance, if any, is needed.
Disadvantages:
As affected by the latest leading technology, the cost of solar roofs is higher than any other roofing material. The cost is totally dependent upon the company, but it can range anywhere from 1,100 to 2,600 per square. In case one is not aware of this, 1 roofing square refers to 100 square feet. So a 2,000-square-foot roof will amount from 22,000 to 52,000.
Solar roofs are still being developed and tested. They haven’t hit the mass market yet. Some of the companies are still collecting pre-orders, among which only a few clients are receiving their roof. This will allow the company to refine its product and ensure it will last longer than the predicted lifespan. The customer will be able to find other companies that facilitate solar tiles or solar shingles that do not have a pre-order list.
A solar tile requires technical installation techniques. It requires trained specialists in both electrical work and roofing. The time taken by a single worker would be about 2 weeks to have his new roof installed by a crew of 15 to 20 people. That is significantly more than the typical roof that consumes less time in the installation. As this technology progresses and more people get trained, the installation time will be decreased.
If the installation is a technical process, any repair required will be a technical part too. It may involve special ordering or technology specialists that will visit your home to make the repair. Else it could be as simple as disconnecting the broken tile and sliding a new tile.
Return on Investment
Solar roof tiles and shingles have a costly upfront cost. It is estimated that it will take at least 15 years to get your return on investment from energy savings, which is about half of the life expectancy of the roof. The standard solar panels have a better return on investment as it typically takes about 5 years to return your money back. An increase in technology will result in increasing the return on investment as well.
When you install the solar tiled roof, you will have to connect the wiring in order to connect your house to the roof and to install battery storage. You will also need to get a repaired roof when you install the solar tiles because the tiles can’t be installed on the surface of the previous roof system. The old roof system must be replaced before the installation of the tiles. This repairing system is different from other types of roof systems; it includes SPF, Asphalt Shingles, TPO, etc., which allow you to just cover the previous roof system.
Another demerits of solar tile roofs is that if you ever decide to move out of your house, the solar tiles cannot be reused. Solar Panels are different because they can be removed and taken with you to your next house.
Conclusion
The installation of solar tiles on the top of your house’s roof helps you feel cozy and safe and generates electricity. Manufacturers try to continue to make solar tiles more affordable and more efficient. Thus, as a result, it is definitely looking brighter for solar-powered homes.
Republic Of Solar
Insights, Resources and Opportunities.
Solar Roof Tiles: Advantages and Disadvantages
Solar roof tiles provide an alternative to conventional solar panels. Instead of being installed on existing roofs with racking systems, solar tiles are part of the roof itself. They can be a viable option in new constructions and major renovations, since a roof installation and a solar array can be combined into a single component. Solar roof tiles are also known as solar shingles.
In New York City, solar tiles can be used to meet Local Laws 92 and 94 of 2019, which mandate sustainable roofing systems. These can be solar power systems with at least 4 kW of capacity, or green roofs. These laws apply for new roof installations, and also for modifications and expansions in existing roofs.
In existing buildings, the main disadvantage of solar shingles is having to remove parts of your roof for their installation. They are also more expensive than conventional solar panels. However, in cases where a new roof or a roof expansion was planned anyway, solar tiles may achieve a lower cost than the sum of a normal roof and solar panels.
How Much Do Solar Roof Tiles Cost?
The cost of solar tiles varies depending on the provider, but you can expect to pay over 5,000 per kilowatt. For comparison, a residential solar panel system costs around 3,000 per kilowatt, while large commercial and industrial projects can reach costs below 1,000 per kilowatt. In terms of cost, solar shingles cannot compete with solar panels in large projects. However, they can be cost-effective in the residential sector, especially when a roof upgrade and a solar power system are being considered for the same property.
The new version of the Tesla solar roof is promising, since the company website reports an estimated price of 33,950 for a 10 kW installation. This is equivalent to 3,395 per kW, and much closer to the typical cost of a solar panel system. A 10 kW solar roof from Tesla requires an area of 2000 square feet, which leads to an installed cost slightly under 17 per sq.ft. and a power generation density of 5 watts per sq.ft.
Personal preferences also play a role when deciding between solar panels and solar shingles. Since solar roof tiles have around twice the cost of normal PV modules, their payback period is twice as long. However, both products have a typical service life of over 25 years. Long-term savings can be expected in both cases, but solar shingles need more time to reach positive cash flow.
When Are Conventional Solar Panels Recommended?
In addition to being more affordable, solar panels can concentrate more watts per square foot of capacity. High-efficiency solar panels have over 300 W of capacity within an area of 17.6 sq.ft. This means you can fit over 34 kW of generation capacity in 2000 sq.ft.
Solar panels are the recommended option if you want to maximize electricity production with the space available. On the other hand, solar shingles offer the appearance of a normal roof without panels, but the available space is used less efficiently. Using solar tiles that generate 5 watts per square foot, you need 6,800 sq. ft. to reach 34 kW of capacity.
If you are considering a roof upgrade and a solar power system, the best recommendation is getting quotes for both options: solar roof shingles, and a normal roof with solar panels. Also consider the electricity output over time. solar panels produce over three times more energy per square foot.
In New York City, LL92 and LL94 of 2019 require a minimum solar power capacity of 4 kW, or otherwise you need to install a green roof. This can be a limitation if you want to use solar shingles for a small roof, since you need around 800 sq.ft. to reach 4 kW. On the other hand, by using high-efficiency solar panels, you can fit 4 kW in less than 200 sq.ft.
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.
“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
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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.