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You''ve probably heard of the Tesla Solar Roof – and you may even have considered it over standard solar panels. The Solar Roof integrates traditional roof shingles with solar panel technology to create a sleek solar system that''s both aesthetically pleasing and a generator of clean energy. But Tesla Solar Roofs come at a premium cost and aren''t the best option for everyone. In this article, we''ll help you decide if a Tesla Solar Roof or solar panels are right for you.
Tesla''s solar roof tiles are likely about 20 to 30 percent less efficient than standard solar panels.
Tesla Solar Roofs are becoming less widely available across the country – even if you live in an area where it''s available, you may see long delays in the installation process or even have your project canceled.
A Tesla Solar Roof usually costs more than traditional solar panels and may be as much as 75 percent more expensive.
Tesla''s Solar Roof may be worth exploring if you have a simple, small roof that needs replacing, want to install a battery, or are set on its aesthetics.
Explore your home solar options on the EnergySage Marketplace.
The Tesla Solar Roof is a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product that combines the functionality of solar panels with roof shingles. While Tesla is primarily known for their electric vehicles (EVs), the company entered the solar space when CEO Elon Musk led an acquisition of SolarCity in 2016. The glass solar and steel roofing tiles offer what Tesla notes as an unmatched aesthetic design to provide another option when considering solar energy to power your home.
Tesla initially announced the Solar Roof in 2017 – in October 2022, Tesla reported a 13 percent year-over-year increase in solar installations. However, in November 2022, Electrek reported that Tesla is canceling solar projects across the country, likely to focus on larger-scale solar projects rather than individual home solar installations. Tesla currently offers both their Solar Roof and solar panels through their website, and you''ll see the availability of a Solar Roof option indicated based on your location.
For example, we checked the Tesla website in December 2022 – Boston, Massachusetts, shows no availability, whereas Atlanta, Georgia, and Orange County, California, show Tesla Roof as an option.
Tesla isn''t the only company to offer solar roof tiles. Other solar shingle companies include Certainteed Solar, GAF Energy, Hanergy, SunTegra, and LUMA Solar (see the EnergySage Solar Shingles Buyer''s Guide for more). A Tesla Solar Roof installation is a premium option and will cost as much as 75 percent above the price of a typical solar panel system. Here''s how it ranks in production, efficiency, and cost compared to regular solar panels and other shingle options.
Note: this pricing was confirmed in early 2022, and the total cost listed may vary based on your location. Pre-incentive pricing is shown above, but a 30 percent federal tax credit is available, and you may also qualify for additional local or state tax incentives or rebates.
When considering various solar equipment, you''ll also want to consider product warranty, durability, ratings, reviews, and the solar company''s reputation and track record. It''s also important to remember that, like with other solar panel installations, you''ll qualify for a federal tax credit called the solar investment tax credit (ITC) when installing Tesla solar shingles. So you can claim 30 percent of your Tesla Solar Roof installation costs on your taxes.
One important factor is efficiency when comparing installing new solar panels and a new Tesla Solar Roof. Tesla has not released data on the efficiency of its solar shingles. Based on our research, EnergySage estimates typical solar shingle brands range from 15 to 22 percent efficiency, whereas most premium solar panels offer 20 to 23 percent efficiency. It''s important to remember this when deciding if the Tesla Solar Roof is worth it because your overall return on investment (ROI) will likely be lower with a Tesla Solar Roof than if you install new solar panels.
We''ll break down more of the details below, but here''s a quick look at the pros and cons of a Tesla Solar Roof compared to traditional solar panel systems:
The pricing of the Tesla Solar Roof is based on two key factors: the equipment that makes up a Tesla Solar Roof project and the complexity of the installation based on your roof.
Non-energy producing tiles
Solar Roof systems use a mix of energy-producing and non-energy-producing roofing tiles – this means the total installation cost varies widely depending on the size and complexity of your roof. For example, as of 2022, a Tesla solar roof installation on a 1,500-square-foot roof is estimated to cost $22,950* for inactive shingles alone. However, having a multiple-storied roof or crowded mounting planes could cost more.
Energy-producing tiles are strengthened glass tiles that collect solar energy like a solar panel. Visually, they are indistinguishable from inactive shingles, but they cost much more to install (about $1.80 per watt*).
The other shingles that make up a Tesla Solar Roof are non-solar steel tiles. These are virtually indistinguishable in color and trim from the active solar shingles and cost between $15.30 and $21.27* per square foot to install.
Every solar system, including a Tesla Solar Roof, needs at least one solar inverter to convert generated direct current electricity into usable alternating current electricity. A Tesla Solar Inverter has two size options: 3.8 kilowatts (kW) and 7.6 kW. It includes safety features such as integrated rapid shutdown, arc fault protection, ground fault protection, and no neutral wires.
As of December 2022, a single Tesla Powerwall home battery costs about $10,600 to $12,850 (plus about $4,000 more for the installation). While not explicitly required, a Tesla Powerwall is bundled with all Tesla Energy systems, including a Solar Roof. Tesla Powerwalls are energy storage systems that enable you to store the renewable energy generated by your solar energy system when the sun isn''t shining or during a power outage.
As with any solar system, installation costs for a Tesla Solar Roof vary significantly depending on your home''s design. Tesla notes a few complexity factors on their website, including:
Mounting planes – the more planes on your roof, the higher the complexity of a Solar Roof design
Obstructions – chimneys, skylights, vents, or fans increase the complexity
However, Tesla customers have repeatedly raised concerns with the estimation process. As early as June 2020, Tesla started canceling Solar Roof orders after some customers were on the waiting list for a couple of years. Then, in April 2021, Tesla confused and frustrated many of their customers when they sent emails with increased prices to customers that had already signed contracts based on their initial quotes.
While the company blamed these price hikes on underestimated roof complexity, Tesla has yet to explain where their calculations faltered (though in September 2021, they announced that they''d be honoring the prices for the signed contracts). In 2022, Tesla announced they would not schedule more installations in new markets, adding a roof complexity disclaimer to their online Solar Roof calculator. As previously described, beginning in November 2022, Eletrek reported that Tesla started canceling additional solar projects, including Solar Roofs and solar panel projects that included some already permitted systems.
Like most high-quality solar panels, Tesla Solar Roofs have a 25-year warranty, including material defects and wind or rain damage. Separately, the shingles'' have an impressive power output warranty that guarantees you maintain at least 95 percent of the "Rated Peak Power" specified on the Solar Roof data sheet. For comparison, the best solar panel warranties typically only guarantee 92 percent of initial output by year 25.
To understand Tesla Solar Roof costs compared to other solar power solutions and upgrades, we will break down some common scenarios:
This is a common scenario for many U.S. homeowners: you may have heard the buzz around new solar roofs, solar shingles, or the Tesla Solar Roof but aren''t sure how the details and costs compare. However, you don''t need to replace your existing roof in the next three to five years. In this scenario, the Tesla Solar Roof likely isn''t a fit.
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