Tesla solar cells roof. Tesla Energy

SolarSkin vs. Tesla Solar Roof

When it comes to innovations, many exciting things have been introduced to the solar industry in the last decade. One of the most prominent examples of this is Tesla, which has garnered much attention for the pursuits of its CEO Elon Musk, the development of its electric car models, and more recently the deployment of its solar powered roof. First installed in 2018, the Tesla roof has changed the way solar shingles are seen in the industry, having successfully created solar powered shingles that appear the same as non-active roof tiles.

The hope Tesla brings to the solar industry is aesthetics, but for homeowners looking to balance price, design, and a seamless installation, it is important to consider all aesthetic technologies out there. Sistine Solar’s SolarSkin is an easy-to-implement option that fits the current infrastructure of the solar industry, being compatible with all brands and solar panel types, whether ,monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or any others.

SolarSkin is an aesthetic overlay to any conventional solar powered system. Its ability to transform panels to match any design, color, or surface makes it an asset to the aesthetically-minded homeowner. Here are five ways in which SolarSkin compares to the Tesla roof.

SolarSkin: Endless Options, Perfected to Your Needs

Tesla has committed to offering its solar roof in one option — a dark color that resembles roof shingles, which best fits homes that match this darker color palette. For homes with lighter toned roofs, such as terracotta clay tile, brown asphalt shingle, blue metal, or tan concrete tile, homeowners can find the perfect blend with SolarSkin.

SolarSkin allows infinite possibilities of high quality graphics, made to match your home’s existing color palette and roofing material. Below, you can see how SolarSkin transformed the otherwise blue solar panels to blend in harmoniously on this South Carolina home. Making tough decisions on sacrificing visual appeal are no longer necessary when it comes to solar power.

SolarSkin achieves double the efficiency of Tesla roof

Tesla’s solar roof has been clocking in ,around 8-10% efficiency. SolarSkin, on the other hand, boasts efficiencies of 16-20%, which is comparable to some of the best modules currently offered to homeowners. We previously ,ranked current panel technologies by aesthetics, and regardless of if you choose polycrystalline, monocrystalline, or another module, SolarSkin matches your ideal performance.

What is truly innovative about SolarSkin is its ability to achieve unparalleled aesthetics while still maintaining high efficiency. Put simply, it is the most efficient aesthetic solar tech in the market. One of our recent residential projects in an HOA community in Indianapolis helped the homeowner ,generate 50% more electricity than before. See how harmoniously the solar panels now appear on his home.

SolarSkin is affordable for everyone, not just the affluent

Industry estimates indicate that the Tesla solar roof comes at a 33-50% premium to traditional solar panels, suggesting that its primary market is likely to be high income households. This would be in line with Tesla’s new product strategy, which typically sees early versions targeted at the affluent and the costs being driven down over time to make later versions geared towards the mass market. Consider the target audiences for the Tesla Roadster vs. the Model 3.

SolarSkin, though, was designed for the mass market from the outset. For less than the price of a pro laptop, a SolarSkin installation is a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. Adding SolarSkin to your array not only boosts your curb appeal and home’s value, but it also protects your panels from UV rays and other harsh elements. The list of benefits for the price you are paying is an advantageous way to preserve both the panels themselves and your home’s aesthetics.

Modern Aesthetic Roof

Tesla Roofs are modern and beautiful. Unlike traditional solar panels, which are typically mounted on the roof or garage, Tesla Solar Roofs are integrated into your home’s architectural design. They also have no visible mounting hardware and weather-resistant materials so they can stand up to the elements.

Understanding Solar Power Conversion

Tesla Solar Roofs are designed to capture the sun’s energy and turn it into direct current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity is then converted into alternating current (AC) electricity, which powers your home.

With the Tesla Powerwall, you can enjoy your home just as if you were still connected to the grid. Whether it’s after sunset or if a power outage occurs, stored power from your Powerwall will be pulled to begin generating electricity. In fact, most backup generators take up to 10 minutes to start producing energy, but the Tesla Powerwall starts almost instantly – meaning that you can rely on it anytime of day.

Why Choose A Tesla Solar Roof?

Tesla Solar Roofs are a game changer for the industry. They are the first and only solar photovoltaic array system that is also a roof system. Tesla backs their Tesla Solar Roofs with a 25-year warranty that covers all of the roofing components, including the glass tiles and active cooling heat transfer fluid.

Durability of a Tesla Solar Roof

Tesla Solar Roof tiles are engineered for all-weather protection and are more than three times stronger than standard roofing tiles. They can endure extreme heat and cold, hail impacts, wind driven rain, and even solar radiation caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

The cost of a Tesla Solar Roof is based on:

• The size of the roof
• The number of Powerwalls chosen
• The size of the PV array

Use Tesla’s online calculator for base pricing!

KPost Company is a Tesla Solar Roof installer and we can help you determine whether or not you’re ready to take the next step and purchase one of these unique roofs. We are dedicated to making sure your investment pays off, as well as ensuring that your house will get maximum efficiency when it comes to energy consumption.

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A beautiful new roof is entering the market soon and it’s made of solar shingles! At a Tesla event in October last year, Elon Musk unveiled the prototypes for a solar roof, built in partnership with SolarCity. The glass tiles will be available in four designs, each replicating a standard style: Textured, Slate, Tuscan and Smooth Glass.

These solar tiles will feature tempered glass made by Tesla, a new solar film from 3M specifically designed for this project, as well as solar power technology jointly developed by Tesla, SolarCity and Panasonic. From most viewing angles, these solar tiles resemble ordinary shingles, but the design actually allows light to pass through to a standard flat solar cell at the bottom. The tiny louvers in the film are responsible for making the tile appear to be the color of slate or an earth tone when viewed from the ground. Pretty cool right? This is unique to solar tile offerings that we are aware of. It is exciting to see how far solar technology has come over the years.

Elon Musk claims that they have the best solar cell at the lowest price, but there hasn’t been much information about what the price and efficiency levels of the solar tiles are going to be. SolarCity CTO Peter Rive spoke about the company’s goals in a recent interview with Fortune. He said that the company thinks it can get to a solar cell cost of 40 cents per watt over time at large scale, which is competitive with current commodity solar panels. With any product, as long as there is a high demand for it, economies of scale can be achieved and the production cost will eventually drop.

A quote from Bloomberg New Energy Finance solar analyst Hugh Bromley describes it best: “It is the metaphoric ‘super-car’ of residential solar. It portrays cutting-edge technology with broad appeal, but … it competes in a solar market where most customers are comfortable in a family sedan.”

We have worked with building integrated (BIPV) solar tiles in the past and have found wire management and the electrical installation to be time consuming. Concealing and building the electrical interconnections underneath the tiles (with locking connections as required) will be a challenge. We are very interested to see how Tesla works through these challenges to provide a safe, simple and cost effective product.

So here’s our overall opinion on the Tesla solar tiles:

We really know very little about it including:

• Price – We believe the Tesla solar tiles are very likely to have a premium over asphalt roof plus traditional solar modules
• Efficiency
• Electrical interconnection – Safely concealing the interconnecting electrical conductors will be a difficult design challenge for Tesla
• Building integrated solar technology has lower energy production as there is no or limited airflow beneath the modules/tiles. Solar photovoltaics produce more power when they are cold, less when they are hot.
• As the solar tiles are overlaid like regular roof tiles, it may be challenging to maintain or replace a single tile if there is an issue (again depending on the specifics of the mechanical attachment to the roof and electrical interconnection between tiles). Typically, with other solar tile products in the market, all of the tiles in that section will need to be removed in order to replace a single tile.

Only time will tell if this product is able to meet the high expectations. The final product will most likely be available for purchase in 2019 in Canada. We are keeping a close eye on it and hope to know more this summer. We look forward to installing some Tesla solar tiles in the future and remain hopeful that the product will be accessible to all consumers at an affordable price.

Tesla Solar Roof Specs

Tesla’s solar roof boasts tremendous weather resistance and warranty coverage. It may not be as efficient as traditional solar panels, but when it covers your entire roof, it doesn’t need to be.

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Tile and Power Warranty

The solar industry standard for an excellent warranty includes a minimum 25-year product and performance warranty; Tesla easily meets this qualification with its near comprehensive warranty. The Tesla Solar Roof comes with a 25-year warranty that is broken down into the Tesla solar product warranty, weatherization warranty and module warranty. Each of these warranty components applies to your solar roof as follows:

• Product Warranty: Guarantees that your solar roof is defect-free and remains intact for the full 25 years
• Weatherization Warranty: Guarantees that your Tesla Solar Roof system will still be attached to your roof and will prevent any wind or rain damage to your home for 25 years following its installation date
• Module Warranty: Guarantees that the power capacity of your Tesla Solar Roof will perform at 95% or more of its rated capacity for five years post-installation. After that, the power capacity should decline at a maximum of 0.5% per year for the remaining 20 years

Fire Rating

The Tesla Solar Roof has been awarded a Class A fire rating, which is the highest rating in the industry. This rating means that the flame spread rate for this solar power roof system will stay between zero and 25 mph, so this roofing material is rated excellent for fire resistance.

Hail Rating

For states that experience severe hail and thunderstorms, a roof’s hail rating is incredibly important. Tesla Solar Roofs have received a Class 3 hail rating, which means that the roof can withstand the impact of a hailstone up to a diameter of 1.75 inches.

Wind Rating

Tesla Solar Roofs have been given a Class F wind rating, which is also among the highest ratings awarded by the industry. This rating means that Tesla roofs can withstand winds up to 110 mph in speed (equal to around a Category 2 or 3 hurricane), so your roof should not lift off during severe storms that reach these wind speeds.

Roof Pitch

The angle — also known as the pitch — of your roof impacts how much solar energy production occurs. Tesla Solar Roofs are compatible with a roof pitch between 2:12 and 24:12. The most common pitch range is between 6:12 and 9:12, so Tesla Solar Roofs can be installed on nearly any roof and still produce energy in an optimal range.

Tesla Solar Inverter Power

Known for its sleek design, outstanding reliability and easy integration into your Tesla solar panel system, the Tesla solar inverter completes your solar system. Tesla offers different models for its solar inverter, so homeowners can choose the one that best suits their Tesla solar panels.

When Is a Tesla Solar Roof Worth It?

The Tesla Solar Roof is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to use the sun’s energy to offset their energy bill but don’t want to compromise their curb appeal. The Tesla Solar Roof may not be worth the added premium for most customers. Nevertheless, there are still times when a Tesla Solar Roof is worth it, such as:

• Your roof needs to be replaced
• You want solar panels but don’t like how solar systems look
• You live in a region with Tesla-certified installers

You Want Solar Panels But Don’t Like How Solar Systems Look

One of the most common complaints about solar panels is how they look once installed on your roof. Even modern black solar panels can look clunky and unattractive.

Tesla has solved this problem by developing a sleek, modern solar design that fulfills your renewable energy needs. If curb appeal matters to you, then Tesla Solar Roof is the perfect solution for your home.

Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

If your roof needs to be replaced anyways, you should consider installing a Tesla Solar Roof — especially if you’re considering installing solar panels down the line. Once you factor in materials and labor, a new roof plus solar panels can be more expensive than a solar roof on its own. Depending on your roof, it can make more fiscal sense to install the Tesla Solar Roof, which provides your home with both protection and power for 25 years.

On paper, a standard roof appears far cheaper than a Tesla Solar Roof. However, you have to remember that when comparing against a solar roof, you have to factor in the amount you’ll spend on electricity over 25 years in addition to the roof itself.

After the federal tax credit is applied, and you account for 25 years worth of electricity costs, the Tesla Solar Roof can actually provide better value than a new roof installation with solar panels (and certainly better than one without solar panels). Check out the numbers below — the final cost of a roof and electricity over 25 years is found in the far right-hand column.

As we have covered thus far, the most significant advantages to a Tesla Solar Roof include unparalleled aesthetics with excellent durability. However, solar shingles yield slightly less energy than traditional solar panels and carry a higher price tag.

Tesla Solar Roof Pros

• Superior aesthetics
• Several design choices
• Excellent warranty coverage
• High durability

Solar Design Aesthetics

One of the biggest benefits of Tesla Solar Roofs is the appearance. Not only are these solar shingles built to resemble a roof’s style, but the shingles are so low-profile that your neighbors won’t even know that you’ve installed solar-harnessing tiles on your roof.

Several Design Choices

Tesla Solar Roofs are designed to appeal to the modern homeowner, but Tesla takes this design one step further by offering several design choices so that homeowners can match the style of their home. You can get your Tesla Solar Roof in styles that resemble textured, Tuscan, smooth or slate tiles.

Tesla’s Excellent Warranty

The industry standard warranty is 25 years, and Tesla meets this criteria with flying colors. With a product, performance and weatherization warranty, homeowners will not have to worry about their Tesla roof breaking down or causing damage. Plus, your roof will remain protected from the elements.

Highly Durable Solar Option

Tesla solar roofs are rated to withstand some of the most severe weather conditions around, so you won’t have to worry about your home being damaged from high wind, hail or rain. This durability makes Tesla solar roofs an excellent choice for homeowners across the country.

Tesla Solar Roof Cons

• Expensive
• Lower efficiency than traditional systems
• Long wait period prior to installation
• Unknown maintenance costs

Expensive Option vs Traditional Solar Panels

Tesla solar roofs are among the most expensive solar shingles on the market, so many budget-conscious homeowners choose to go another route. Even though the roof’s PV will help to offset future energy costs, the upfront cost can come as quite the sticker shock.

Efficiency Lower Than Traditional Systems

As seen in the tables above, the efficiency rating for Tesla solar roofs is lower than some of the other industry leaders. This does make most homeowners question whether these solar tiles are worth the extra cost, especially if the tiles are intended to offset energy costs, not just look stunning on a roof.

Long Wait Period for Tesla Products

If you have decided to install a Tesla solar roof, then you better plan well ahead of time because the current lead times for roof installation are between one and six months. But, the wait period tends to lean more towards the three to six month timeline. Homeowners who want to get their solar roof installed more quickly will need to choose another provider.

Unknown Maintenance Costs

Because Tesla’s solar roof is such a new product, it is nearly impossible to determine the maintenance costs. The solar roofs are designed to be low maintenance, but this is difficult to determine due to how short the product has been on the market. Unlike traditional solar panels, you may not have certified technicians who know how to fix Tesla panels should they break down.

– 10,000

Steps to Getting a Solar Roof Installed

The installation process of a Tesla Solar Roof is similar to a traditional solar panel installation but requires more time. You can order your Solar Roof directly through Tesla’s website or a certified Tesla roof installer. Bear in mind that you must live in Tesla’s coverage area for Solar Roof installations. In more remote areas, it may not be possible just yet.

Here is a list of the steps involved:

• Place Order: The first step in placing your order is paying a deposit of 250. Orders are placed through Tesla’s website after you have reviewed the estimated size and price of your system. Tesla uses your average electricity bill to recommend a system size.
• Assessment: The numbers on Tesla’s design page are based on basic approximations, and a proper design of your solar roof system will require a more detailed assessment. For this, Tesla’s engineers will assess your location virtually using satellite imagery. You will also be required to submit your full electric bill for Tesla to better understand your energy needs. If the assessment shows that your home isn’t a good candidate for a Solar Roof, Tesla will refund your deposit.
• Permits: Your city and utility company will treat your Solar Roof like any other solar power system, meaning you will require permits to install and operate the solar tiles on your roof. This step may take a few weeks, depending on where you live.
• Installation: Once you have the permits, the technicians will tear down your existing roof and install the new solar roof. This may take a week or more based on the size and complexity of your roof.
• Inspection and Permission to Operate (PTO): Once installed, your system will be inspected for safety by both your city (in some cases county) and your utility. Before you can turn your system on, you’ll need to receive written permission to operate (PTO) from your utility. The company installing your system will likely take care of the paperwork.

The best way to find out if the Tesla Solar Roof is right for you is to connect with a local solar company. Some solar companies are certified by Tesla to sell and install Solar Roofs. You can get started by clicking below

– 10,000 48,300 – 58,300

Upfront cost of a new roof uses the average cost of a new metal roof in the United States; the new roof solar panels section assumes the average cost to install solar is 25,000; and the average homeowner saves 20,000 in energy over 25 years. Actual will vary depending on your location, type of roof and brand of solar panel.

You Live In a Region With Tesla-Certified Installers

Historically, you could only get a Tesla Solar Roof if you lived within a certain distance of a Tesla warehouse. Tesla has since made its solar roof systems available to any homeowner in the United States and can send traveling installation teams. Tesla will also send out a certified professional to make sure your roof is a good candidate for its roof before installation.

Even though you can get a roof directly from Tesla, you should make sure that your local solar installers are Tesla-certified. Those who hold this certification know how to install Tesla shingles correctly and will make sure your system works properly.

You’re Considering Solar Panels for Your Roof

If you have considered solar panel installation for your roof, you should also compare the cost of a Solar Roof to that of a Tesla solar panel system. For the same house we used in the above example, Tesla suggests a 4.8 kW solar panel system with a Powerwall II home battery and quotes a notably lower estimated price of 16,852.

Traditional solar modules are more efficient than solar roof shingles, therefore they require less capacity. In this case, a traditional solar array only needs to be 4.80 kW to generate the same amount of power as a 6.14 kW Solar Roof. This means that a Tesla Solar Roof ends up costing three times as much as traditional panels — a staggering difference in investment.

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