Tesla Solar Panel Review
In This Review: Our Take | Solar Panel Options | Warranty Options | Tesla Solar Reviews | Installation | Mobile App | Payment Options | Our Conclusion | Company Overview | FAQs
Tesla provides homeowners with advanced solar panels that are able to supplement their energy needs with sustainable power. The company is also transparent about its solar panel offerings, walking online customers through the design, capabilities, and estimated cost of a system.
Tesla provides installation to most areas nationwide either directly or through the Certified Installer Program, which includes some of the nations highest quality local and regional installation companies. Read our in-depth review of the Teslas warranty offerings, panel design, related products, and sample customer reviews to find out if its the best solar provider for your home.
Tesla Powerwall Tax Credits And Incentives In 2022
Your purchase of a Tesla residential solar system is eligible for the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit . Using this tax credit, a consumer can currently receive 26% of their solar system purchase back through credits on their annual taxes. This tax credit can apply to your entire Tesla solar system purchase in 2022, including the Powerwall. Given the price of Teslas systems, you could expect to save more than $9,000 with the tax credit.
In addition to the federal tax credit, some state and local governments also have incentives in place to help people lower the total cost of a solar panel purchase. You can learn more about tax incentives in your state by visiting your states solar page at the bottom of this guide.
Is Teslas Powerwall Worth It
Whether Teslas Powerwall is worth it will largely come down to the individual home and its requirements. Arguably, in areas where homes are more frequently prone to power outages, having a way to keep the lights on could make Powerwall an excellent option. As is often the case with Tesla, the outlay is where things are expensive, but the companys products tend to come with the expectation that their true cost will be lower over time.
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A Powerwall is also extremely useful for homes that don’t always have ample sunlight. Since the Powerwall stores solar energy and backs it up for later use, it acts as a reusable battery on cloudy days when your solar panels/roof don’t get adequate energy. On a home with 12.00 kW solar panels, one Powerwall is enough for about 2.5 days of ‘whole home backup.’ If you get two Powerwalls for that same setup, you’re looking at more than seven days of backup energy.
Considering the Powerwall’s utility and that you can only buy one during the initial Solar Roof or Solar Panels purchase it’s safe to say that the Powerwall is probably worth it for anyone already outfitting their home with solar energy alternatives. It’s integrated with the rest of Tesla’s solar products, can save the day during a power outage, and keeps your solar energy running during cloudy weather. The $11,000 price tag is certainly hard to swallow, but it should be money well spent in the long run.
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How Does The Tesla Powerwall Work Without Solar
If you don’t have solar panels, you may still benefit from a Powerwall. Here, the Powerwall is charged by the power grid.
If you live somewhere with electricity that’s more expensive during the day, you can charge the Powerwall by night and then use it to power your home throughout the day. Depending on the difference in rates, this can deliver significant savings.
A full Powerwall can also be used as protection against blackouts.
Tesla Solar Customer Reviews
Weve covered the basics of what Tesla Solar has to offer in terms of products, services and financing, so now lets dive into what its customers have to say about the experience. As mentioned previously, a lot of Tesla Solar customers have complained about the providers spotty customer service. However, Tesla Solar also has hundreds of happy customers who rave about the quality of Teslas solar installation and product.
Before we dive into some perspectives, wed like to mention that, because Tesla Solar is a national company, your experience may vary depending on the installers in your area. For example, Tesla Solar might be a good choice for homeowners in California, but not in upstate New York. We recommend finding reviews from people in your area, as youll likely have a similar installation experience to theirs.
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Tesla Solar Panel Options
Teslas minimalistic solar shingles stand out in the solar industry. These smaller panels with no visible grid can replicate the aesthetic of roof shingles for a low profile. When the panels are interlocked, they mimic the look of a standard roof.
The company also offers monocrystalline solar panel systems. It makes the process simple through its standardized sizes: small , medium , large and extra-large . Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient panels on the market. Teslas panels produce 425 watts and feature an average efficiency rate of 19.6%. Its panels are also durable as they operate from minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tesla also offers energy storage and an alternative solar power generator with its battery storage, the Tesla Powerwall. The Powerwall solar battery collects energy that your solar panels generate and stores it. This energy storage device provides backup power for your home during nighttime, low sunlight weather and power outages.
The Tesla Solar Roof As Of 2022
The latest version of the Tesla Solar Roof as of 2022 is the Solar Roof V3, which launched in October of 2019. Unlike the versions that preceded it, the V3 is made up of fewer parts and comes in one style rather than multiple styles.
The prices of the Solar Roof rose substantially in March of 2021, and then again in April. Even customers who were already under contract were affected by this price rise. Some customers were paying over 30% more than the prices they were paying when they signed their original contract.
A class-action lawsuit ended up being filed against Tesla, and the pricing issue for contract customers was finally remedied in September of 2021.
There were some back and forth changes to the Solar Roof around October of 2021. First, Elon Musk announced on Twitter that from that point on, every Tesla Solar Roof would require a Powerwall battery for installation. This was followed by another statement in October, where Tesla clarified that Powerwalls were not needed for the installation of the Solar Roof, but were recommended.
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What Does It Cost To Service And Maintain A Tesla
Tesla vehicles have lower maintenance costs than conventional gas-powered cars. The reason for this is simple: EVs have fewer moving parts than gas engines, so there is less need for service and repairs.
In fact, Tesla updated its guidance a couple of years ago to let drivers know that annual servicing isnt necessary. The company now recommends service only when a part is scheduled for checking or replacement.
Many Tesla owners say their only out-of-pocket maintenance costs within the first two years of ownership were related to their tires. This is mostly just periodic tire rotation, but some drivers said they needed to replace their tires early due to excessive wear and tear brought on by aggressive driving.
Projected five-year maintenance costs for a Model 3 come to about $980 total, assuming you change the parts yourself using Teslas DIY guides.
Are There Any Extra Or Hidden Costs When Buying A Tesla
Yes, as with the purchase of any new vehicle, there are several additional expenses you should account for when purchasing a Tesla.
- Order fee: A $250 non-refundable order fee is charged at the time of the order.
- Destination and documentation fee: Youll have to pay a $1,200 destination and documentation fee for the delivery of your vehicle. Most car makers charge about this much.
- Taxes and fees: Model 3 buyers report paying between $4,500 and $5,000 in taxes and fees. You should expect to pay more if you buy one of the pricer cars, i.e. a Model X or Model S.
- Charging equipment: Tesla no longer provides a charger with their cars, so make sure to get one. There are two options: the $200 Mobile Connector, or the $400 Wall Connector. The Mobile Connector is slower, but can also fit into regular outlets. The Wall Connector Teslas recommended option is faster but requires a professional electrical installation which could cost you $200-300.
The good news is that Tesla has stopped charging two large fees: the refundable $1,000 reservation fee and the $2,500 order deposit both were dropped in 2019.
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Prices Of Upcoming Tesla Models: Cybertruck ‘model 2’ And Roadster
If youre more interested in one of Teslas upcoming offerings, heres a quick look at what you can expect to pay for each model, and when they’re scheduled to be released.
| Model | |
|---|---|
| ? | 2025? |
The prices and release dates mentioned above are based on the latest information provided by Tesla. We recommend taking them with a grain of salt after all, Tesla is notorious for repeated production delays and price changes.
What Is A Tesla Solar Roof
Designed to maximize your homes energy production, the Tesla Solar Roof is the first of its kind to enhance your homes 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.
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Can You Go Off
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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How Efficient Is The Tesla Solar Roof
When comparing the Tesla Solar Roof to traditional solar panels, you need to factor in inefficiency. At the time of writing Tesla is yet to release the data regarding the efficiency of its solar shingles, but their efficiency is estimated to be around 14 to 18%. The majority of traditional solar panels have an efficiency of between 22 to 23%. Well worth bearing in mind.
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Solar Roof Efficiency Vs Solar Panel Efficiency
The brand new solar roof will be entirely manufactured in the United States. Tesla plans to manufacture all of their solar tiles at their Buffalo facilities using solar cells provided by their partner, Panasonic. Peter Rive, the CTO at SolarCity had previously claimed the efficiency of one of their solar tiles was equivalent to a standard panel. However, according to SolarCitys website the colored film of the solar tile allows the cells to blend into the roof while minimizing solar efficiency loss. While it appears this would mean the efficiency of solar tiles would be lower than those of solar panel, this isnt necessarily the case.
Currently, Panasonics N3300 HIT modules have an efficiency of 19.7%. The have developed solar cells as efficient as 23.5% in their labs. The solar industry average for solar panels is approximately 16%, while Pick My Solars installers come in at around 19.5%. So even if the colored film of the solar tiles lessens the efficiency by a few percentage points, the solar tiles efficiency still may be equivalent to that of standard solar modules.
When it comes to the efficiency of Teslas solar roof in comparison to standard solar panels, there is no clear cut winner. Just make sure that if your home is very limited in regards to roof space, you go with the highest efficiency module possible to power your home.
Tesla Solar Installation And Services
Tesla handles every part of your solar systems installation, from site inspection to Permission to Operate . Learn about the installation process with Tesla here:
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Tesla Solar Panels Cost And Payment Options
Tesla provides a cost calculator online that estimates the cost of solar panels based on your address and average monthly electric bill. Teslas pricing falls toward the higher end of the average cost for solar panels. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average price of a 6-kilowatt-hour system ran between $16,000 and $21,000 in 2021.
We obtained quotes from Tesla for a 2,000-square-foot home in Dallas with an average monthly electric bill of $170. The roof space is approximately 2,329 square feet. Each price also includes one Tesla Powerwall, quoted at $10,000.
| System Size | |
|---|---|
| $75,200$87,400 | $57,800$66,800 |
You can obtain a quote from Tesla Solar on its website after providing your homes address and average monthly electricity bill. To obtain a more accurate estimate, you need to contact the company and undergo a virtual survey with a customer service representative. This process involves going over your energy needs and surveying your property through satellite.
Tesla customers always own their systems through a cash purchase or loan in select states.
Solar Roof Has A Troubled History
Tesla’s solar roof dates back to 2016, the year Tesla bought SolarCity, a solar panel installation company founded by two of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s cousins. Prior to the merger, SolarCity installed conventional solar panels that sit above a customer’s roof . But in 2016, weeks before the SolarCity deal was due to close, Tesla announced the solar roof project, which features roofing tiles that double as solar panels.
Tesla started accepting preorders for solar roof in May 2017. In August 2018, Musk told investors that Tesla had “several hundred solar roofs” installed. But the company then quickly walked that statement back, clarifying that Musk was including people who were scheduled for roof installations but hadn’t gotten them yet. The same month, Reuters reported that Tesla was struggling to manufacture roof tiles at its solar panel factory in Buffalo, New York.
In 2019, Tesla announced it was slashing prices for the solar roof in an effort to boost sluggish demand for the product. In 2020, Tesla canceled the orders of some customers because they were out of Tesla’s service area. At the same time, Tesla said it had “roughly tripled” solar roof installations between the first and second quarters of 2020.
All of which is to say that, after years of delays and setbacks, Tesla may be finally selling the solar roof at significant scale. And the company has apparently discovered that the costs of installing a solar roof are higher than previously anticipated for many customers.
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Should You Buy The Tesla Powerwall In 2022
The Tesla Powerwall is one of the top solar batteries on the market, and its easy to see why. It has plenty of advantages over the average solar battery. But despite its advantages, the Powerwall also has some downsides. Lets take a look at the Tesla solar batterys pros and cons.
| Pros | |
|---|---|
| Long lifespan with a 10-year warranty | Not sold separately by Tesla |
| High efficiency and DoD | More expensive than other solar batteries |
| Can add more than one Powerwall for additional energy storage | May take longer to see a return on your investment |
When youre deciding whether the Tesla Powerwall is right for you, theres a lot to consider. The Tesla Powerwall can help you maintain power to your home regardless of power outages or winter weather. However, the Powerwall has a price tag of $11,050, and other solar batteries are available for half of that cost. But the most important factor is whether the Powerwall is compatible with your solar system.
