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Tesla has come a step closer to a more comprehensive ecosystem by launching a proprietary solar inverter.
In the last years, multiple inverter companies have ventured into electric vehicle (EV) charging and expanded the power electronic ecosystem, repeatedly emphasizing the inverter’s importance at the center of the system. Tesla has gone the other way. Starting with EVs, the carmaker penetrated the residential solar market with panels and batteries but only now has brought an inverter to market.
The product – the Tesla Solar Inverter – comes in 3.8 kW and 7.6 kW versions featuring two and four maximum power point trackers (MPPTs), respectively.
That is slightly above average as most sub-10 kW inverters have just two MPPTs, but the product’s efficiency is somewhat below the figures achieved by market leaders. Tesla says its solar inverter has 97.5% efficiency, though it does not specify whether that is California Energy Commission-weighted or maximum efficiency.
As is mandatory in the U.S., the inverter comes with integrated Rapid shutdown capability and provides arc-fault and ground fault protection. The EV maker says the product has been designed to integrate with the Tesla Powerwall battery as well as the Tesla app, which enables the monitoring of power generation and consumption patterns.
Tesla has published select data about the inverter on its website, rather than a full spec sheet. It is also not entirely clear what the app will be capable of in terms of system integration and optimization.
As a rule of thumb, the more devices that emerge from a single vendor, the easier it is for software to align them to work in symphony and improve system efficiency and that was a trend seen last year.
The company may also choose to leverage its EV production capacity and power electronics expertise. EV drive trains require DC/DC and DC/AC stages as batteries produce DC power and engines can run only on alternating current. Whether such expertise is transferable to residential solar appliances, and would improve functionality, efficiency or robustness remains to be seen. The 12.5-year warranty offered by the Tesla inverter announcement would hint at the latter.
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Covering online news on the German market and editing the German print issue since 2021, Marian has been writing about power electronics for pv magazine’s global website and monthly print magazine since 2018.
Tesla launches its own solar power inverter!
Tesla launches its own solar power inverter!
Tesla has been offering its own solar power solution since the acquisition of SolarCity back in 2016.
One of Elon Musk’s strategies when master-minding the acquisition was for Tesla to differentiate itself in the market with different products, which have become somewhat of commodities in the solar industry.
The automaker tried to make its own solar panels, but it didn’t work out.
However, Tesla has had success with its Powerwall, a home battery pack that matches well with a residential solar installation, and it is starting to have some success with its solar roof tiles.
Surprisingly, considering Tesla’s extensive expertise in power electronics in its electric vehicles, the company never had its own solar power inverter, an important part of a solar installation… until now.
The company describes its latest product from its energy division offering:
“Tesla Solar Inverter completes the Tesla home solar system, converting DC power from solar to AC power for home consumption. Tesla’s renowned expertise in power electronics has been combined with robust safety features and a simple installation process to produce an outstanding solar inverter that is compatible with both Solar Roof and traditional solar panels. Once installed, homeowners use the Tesla app to manage their solar system and monitor energy consumption, resulting in a truly unique ecosystem experience.”
The new inverter is already being installed with new Tesla solar installations according to new buyers. You can visit our Tesla solar guide for more information about Tesla rooftop solar panel installations and solar roof tiles.
Tesla lists some of the key features and specs of its new Solar Inverter:
Tesla Solar Inverter Key Features and Specs
This is an unsurprising development. The most surprising thing is that it didn’t happen before with Tesla’s extensive expertise in power electronics.
It should give Tesla greater control over the overall system design and monitoring.
However, the specs are noting ground-breaking.
Prior to having its own solar inverter, Tesla has been known to use Delta and SolarEdge inverters.
Many argue that the most important feature of a solar inverter is its efficiency and at 97.5%, it’s a bit better than Delta’s 97% but not as good as SolarEdge’s 99% efficiency.
That said, there are some nice of features to the Tesla Solar Inverter, like 4 point trackers, which can be useful if your solar modules are coming from different strings on different parts of your roof – something that can be very likely with a solar roof tile installation.
Another great thing about the Tesla Solar Inverter is the over-the-air update capability, which means the company could improve on the product’s software over time.
Finally, the greatest advantage (although it’s uncertain) is potentially the cost. Tesla could potentially be able to achieve a better cost than the competition by leveraging its already large power electronic production capacity for its electric vehicles and charging stations!
Tesla Solar Panels Review
Tesla offers four solar power systems sizes: 4.8kW, 9.6kW, 14.4kW, and 19.2kW. This means that you may not be able to get the perfect-sized solar panel system for your home, but should still be able to install enough panels to meet your energy needs.
With an efficiency rating between 19.3% and 20.6%, Tesla’s panels are not the most efficient solar panels available. However, these panels are on the higher end of the average efficiency range, so they are perfect if you live in an area that gets a lot of sunshine year-round.
Something that definitely sets Tesla apart from other solar panel companies is its inverter efficiency. Whereas most inverters operate at 93% to 96%, Tesla inverters have an efficiency of 97.5%. The inverter efficiency tells you how well it converts direct current (DC) electricity that is gathered from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) energy that can be used in your home. The higher the efficiency of your inverter, the more solar energy you can convert into usable electricity for your home.
Black solar cells and backsheet
Does Tesla Offer Any Other Solar Products?
Tesla itself is a leader in innovative technologies, so it’s no surprise that it offers several solar solar products, including solar panels, solar batteries, solar roofs, and a mobile tracking app. We’ll discuss each of these products in detail below.
Tesla Solar Roof
Moving beyond the conventional solar panels that are associated with household solar power, Tesla has made waves with its Tesla Solar Roof. This system takes the solar panel to a new level, in both aesthetics and durability. But at 45,000 to 90,000, this solar system is pricey.
While customers may have an untold number of solar panel providers to choose from when going the traditional route, Tesla is among the only companies offering solar shingles today.
Tesla’s solar shingles can be installed as a new roof or on top of existing asphalt shingles, integrating with the look of your existing roof while generating energy to power your home.
The Tesla Solar Roof brings with it a host of benefits that makes it more appealing than standard solar panels, however, there are also some downsides that could turn you away. Check out our full review of the Tesla Solar Roof to learn more about whether this is a better solar solution for you than Tesla Solar Panels.
Tesla Powerwall
The Tesla Powerwall battery has an energy storage capacity of 13.5 kWh, a long 20-year lifespan, and a comprehensive 10-year warranty that makes it one of the best solar battery storage systems on the market. By adding a battery to your home solar system, you can use solar energy even when the sun isn’t shining (like at night or on cloudy days) and have power stored up in case of a utility outage.
Tesla Powerwalls are not cheap at about 14,200 per battery, and are more expensive than other solar batteries. However, this higher cost is worth it because of the higher storage capacity, technology and ability to have power during a power outage.
Tesla Solar was it worth it? #solar #electricity #tesla
When considering Tesla solar energy storage for a new or existing solar system, customers will come across both the Tesla Powerwall and the Tesla Powerwall. The Powerwall comes with additional benefits, such as more continuous battery power and backup power. The key differences between these two options include the following:
If your solar panels generate more energy than your home can consume, a Powerwall is one of the best investments you can make. This system helps you get the most out of your solar panels and has settings that can save you even more money on energy bills.
For example, you can set your Tesla Powerwall to Time-Based Control mode. Then your battery stores energy when energy costs are lowest and uses solar energy when costs are highest.
Tesla Solar App
Tesla’s solar technology comes with all the bells and whistles — including a sleek app that can act as the hub for your home’s clean energy system. The app can be used for an entire system of renewable energy products including your solar panels, Powerwall and EV charger. Here’s a quick look at the benefits of the app:
- Monitor your solar system’s live performance and historical production
- When you use it with a Powerwall, you can manage your home’s energy even during an outage
- Track the amount of electricity you send back to the grid
The goal of the Tesla app is to help its customers take control of their home’s energy use and increase their energy independence. The app is capable of a lot, so be sure to ask your solar installer how to best utilize it. Typically, your installer will help you set it up during the commissioning of your system.
How Much Do Tesla Solar Panels Cost?
The all-in price of a Tesla solar system (including equipment and installation) can vary from 11,840 for 9.6 kW of standard solar panels to 22,200 for 14.4 kW after the 30% federal solar tax incentive is applied. Starting at about 5000.30 per watt on average, the Tesla solar panels cost less than the national average of 5000.94 per watt. This is good news for homeowners, as this lower cost makes Tesla a more affordable option.
A Tesla Solar Roof will have a higher price tag, typically in the ballpark of 45,000 to 90,000. A Tesla Powerwall (for backup power) will be about around 14,200 per 13.5 kWh battery.
Tesla Solar Financing Options
There are two main ways to pay for your Tesla solar system: Cash payment or solar loan. If you choose to pay cash, you immediately own your system and pay the full purchase cost. If you have the option to pay cash, we recommend doing so because it’ll save you the most money each month. You save immediately and don’t have to worry about monthly payments.
If you take out a loan, you still own your solar system, but you can pay for it in monthly installments. Even though you may pay more over time due to loan interest, the loan option is the best choice for many homeowners and is recommended if you can’t afford to pay the full amount for your solar system.
The loan option keeps more money in your bank account, and you still save on energy costs each month. According to the Tesla website, the monthly loan payment for solar is often lower than your monthly electric bill, so you can start seeing savings right away.
Here’s what each financing option includes at a quick glance:
If you’re wondering what’s the best way to pay, check out our solar financing guide. It’s full of information on solar payment options and recommendations tailored to your needs.
Financing Options and Incentives
Like other residential solar systems, a Tesla solar roof is eligible for the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). But there is an important difference in how to calculate the federal solar tax credit for each type of system.
- When you install traditional solar panels, you can include all project costs when calculating the 30% tax credit.
- When you install a solar roof, you can only count the cost of the photovoltaic components toward the credit. The solar tax incentive does not cover traditional roofing materials that only serve a structural purpose.
A Tesla roof may qualify for other clean energy incentives and rebates, depending on where you live. Tesla’s website features a list of financial incentives you can apply to its products by state.
Tesla also offers a solar financing program, which is available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont and Washington.
Tesla Solar Roof Customer Reviews
Tesla offers high-end solar energy products with some of the best warranties in the industry. The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has mixed customer reviews, but overall ratings reflect the company as a whole, not just solar.
We compiled the below reviews to give you an idea of the Tesla customer experience. Reviews reflect solar products as a whole, not just solar roofs. While some customers seem generally satisfied with the company’s level of customer service, others mentioned communication and installation issues.
“I was skeptical at first, but [Tesla] solar designing and technology dispelled that concern. The [initial] presentation was outstandingly professional, the installation was quick and my system is already producing as expected.”—Landon via the BBB
“The sales representative was extremely knowledgeable! The entire solar installation process went off without a hitch.”—Kyle B. via the BBB
“Customer satisfaction [is] the lowest priority for Tesla. It really just doesn’t care. Good product but unbelievably bad customer service. If you buy a car, solar panels, solar roof or anything from [Tesla] and don’t have an issue, it’s great. But the second you have an issue be prepared for months of frustration. Not worth the hassle in my opinion.”—Ian W. via the BBB
“Very poor customer service. I paid for my panels in full and three weeks later, my submission has not been sent to my electric company for approval. Extremely unresponsive customer service [and] constantly changing project managers. I would not recommend Tesla for your solar panels.”—Nancy M. via the BBB
The Bottom Line
At around 6.40 per watt, the Tesla solar roof costs more than a traditional PV system — but you are also getting a new roof. Based on our research, a Tesla solar roof can cost anywhere from 32,000 to 64,000, depending on your system size. Residential solar panels are a more affordable option if your roof is in good condition and does not need a replacement.
Your installation will include a roof assessment to ensure your provider can properly secure your solar panels. A 2,000-square-foot traditional roof can cost upwards of 15,000 if you need a replacement, bringing your total project costs to 30,000 or more when you add the solar PV system. A Tesla roof may make more sense financially if you are in this situation.
Solar shingles and panels have comparable lifespans of 25 years or more, and the best solar companies offer 25-year warranty coverage to protect your investment over time. When choosing between solar panels and a Tesla roof, there is also a subjective factor — appearance. Tesla roofs use solar and non-solar shingles that look identical, an attractive option for homeowners who don’t like the appearance of bulky solar panels.
Solar Incentives by State
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions About Tesla Solar Roof
How much does a Tesla solar roof installation cost?
The average cost of a Tesla solar roof system is 6.40 per watt or around 38,400 for a 6 kW system. Solar roof costs can vary depending on your system size and your roof size and complexity.
Are Tesla solar roofs worth it?
Solar energy can be worth it for any homeowner looking to save on power bills. Tesla solar roof tiles are cost-effective if you need a roof replacement — you get a solar power system and a brand-new roof with a single investment. However, regular solar panels are more affordable if your existing roof is in good condition. But a Tesla solar roof also may be worth the investment for other reasons, like if you prefer the sleek design over bulky solar panels.
Are Tesla solar roofs more expensive than traditional solar panels?
Yes. A Tesla solar roof can be two to three times more expensive than a traditional solar panel system, but you also get a new roof in the process. A 6 kW solar energy system with traditional panels costs 19,500 based on the national average price per watt, whereas a solar roof with the same sized system costs around 38,400.
Are there other solar roof providers besides Tesla?
Yes. For example, GAF Energy has been a leading provider of asphalt shingles and other roofing materials for decades. The company launched its Timberline solar roof in 2022 and offers four roof options with different colors.
Leonardo David is an electromechanical engineer, MBA, energy consultant and technical writer. His energy-efficiency and solar consulting experience covers sectors including banking, textile manufacturing, plastics processing, pharmaceutics, education, food processing, real estate and retail. He has also been writing articles about energy and engineering topics since 2015.
5 Things You NEED to Know Before Ordering Tesla Solar
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
Leonardo David is an electromechanical engineer, MBA, energy consultant and technical writer. His energy-efficiency and solar consulting experience covers sectors including banking, textile manufacturing, plastics processing, pharmaceutics, education, food processing, real estate and retail. He has also been writing articles about energy and engineering topics since 2015.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.