Solar Roof Durability Vs Solar Panel Durability
Tesla is extremely confident in the durability of its solar roof. Elon Musk has stated that the Tesla Solar Roof has an infinity warranty or for the lifetime of your home, whichever comes first. While the durability of the new solar tiles has not been successfully field testing, there are videos online of the Tesla Solar team launching hail and other heavy objects at the solar tiles to show their durability. Based on a video recorded in a Tesla owned factory, it seems the solar tiles are stronger than a tempered-glass solar panel.
Standard solar panels, however, are usually warrantied by the manufacturer for 25 years and the panels typically will last longer than the warranty. The expected lifetime of solar panels has also been field tested, unlike the solar roof.
The biggest question here is what is going to happen when solar tiles start degrading and losing their efficiency? When solar panels need to be replaced or corrected it is a pretty simple replacement. But what happens when there are solar tile problems? How much of the roof is going to have to be replaced? It seems that making any corrections to a Tesla Solar Roof is going to be very expensive and labor-intensive.
Tesla Solar Roof Cost Estimate
Rather than directly publishing rates, Tesla provides a Solar Roof calculator on their website that estimates the cost of installing a solar roof on your home. The calculator is based on your current electricity usage and the size of your home, among other factors. We ran three basic estimates to give you an idea of the price differences. Each estimate includes a roof replacement but does not factor in any incentives.
FYI: All estimates were run on July 13, 2021.
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Tesla changes their prices depending on a number of factors, including those listed below.
Tesla Powerwall Tax Credits And Incentives In 2022
The good news is there are a few ways to offset the cost of a Tesla Powerwall in 2022. One way to reduce your costs considerably is to claim the 30% Clean Energy Credit that runs through 2032. This credit could save $3,450 on your taxes when you purchase an $11,500 Tesla Powerwall. The tax credit will decrease to 26% in 2033, then 22% in 2034.
Homeowners can apply the Clean Energy Credit to the entire home solar system, including solar panels, inverters, and batteries such as the Powerwall. The Clean Energy Credit is part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed on August 16, 2022, and applies retroactively to any qualified solar purchase from January 2022.
However, the tax credit is only applicable if you purchase or finance your system, but not if you lease your solar system or enter a solar power purchase agreement . Other state and local incentives may be available in your area as well. Another aspect that can help with the cost of a solar panel system is net metering, which is a process available in some states where you can sell excess energy back to the power grid.
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Charge Your Tesla At Home With Solar
One of the best long-term solutions to lower your home Tesla charging costs is to go solar so you can power your EV with free energy from the sun. Check out the EnergySage Marketplace to compare several quotes from pre-screened installers so you can find a system that fits your needs at the right price. If youre planning to charge an EV at home, simply make a note in your profile so your installer can help you build the right size system.
How Much Does Tesla Solar Roof Cost
Tesla has recently announced the cost for the solar roof, for standard and premium roofs. Notably, the cost of solar roofs varies in different states. A viable Tesla resource has revealed about design and the cost of the solar roof. If you are thinking about your home design how you can install a solar roof on your home. So then Tesla is offering its customers different designs.
Smooth Glass Tiles
Tuscan Glass Tiles
Textured Glass Tiles
Most noteworthy, Tesla has manufactured solar roofs according to the customers home location. Consequently, the design of solar roofs is Smooth Glass Tiles, French Slate Glass Tiles, Tuscan Glass Tiles, and Textured Glass Tiles.
We have collected some details from Elon musks interview for an average home solar roof installation. Similarly, the roof cost is $50,900 on an 8.5KW system for 3000 square feet in California. The cost after tax credit is approximately $25,000. In the same way, the old roof installation cost is $26,030 and for the new solar roof, the cost is $50,900. Therefore, the annual production of the old solar roof is 13,000KW. And for annual production of the new solar roof is approximately 10,000 KW.
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Final Word On Tesla Solar Panels
If you are a Tesla fan, Tesla solar panels are a great choice and can easily be installed with a Tesla Powerwall home battery for a completely renewable house.
The solar panels might not be produced entirely by Tesla, but as long as you understand Teslas solar panel warranty, you should feel comfortable trusting a Tesla quote. Tesla does provide a 10-year workmanship warranty and at least 85% of nameplate power capacity after 25 years.
But, Tesla solar panels are not the best option in the market in terms of panel efficiency. SolarReviews recommends these brands if you choose to shop for solar panels based on how efficient they are.
Shop around and use our solar calculator to get a few competitive quotes before choosing a company and solar panel brand. After comparing costs, perhaps take advantage of Teslas price matching option if Tesla is your brand of choice.
Calculate solar panel system size, costs and savings for your home
How Large Are Tesla Solar Panels
The smallest package available from Tesla, which is ten 425-watt panels, will cover 235 square feet of your roof.
The latest Tesla solar panels are 82.4 x 40.9 x 1.57-inches including the frame.
What makes Teslas panels different from most other manufacturers are their slightly longer size and higher power output, meaning youll need fewer panels overall for the same space on your roof, plus youll get more power output overall.
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Tesla Solar Panels Vs Tesla Solar Roof
Tesla Solar Panels can be installed on top of existing roofs and are significantly cheaper than a Solar Roofthough still expensive compared to other solar panels on the market. The same two-story, 2,000 square foot house from the articles introduction would only need to spend $26,900 to have Tesla Solar Panels installed.
However, these panels would only generate 8.16 kW instead of the Solar Roofs 11.28 kW, making it more difficult to be self-powered. Powerwall also comes with the Tesla Solar Panels if you are interested in storing your energy.
What Would Tesla Solar Roof Tiles Be Like
According to the Tesla website, there are 4 styles of tile available to pre-order: Textured, Smooth, Tuscan or Slate. They are made from tempered glass which Tesla claims to be three times stronger than the average roof tile. Theyre so confident about this that theyve included a lifetime guarantee with the tiles this means that your roof will last for as long as your house stands. Theres also a 30 year guarantee on both the power technology and against weather damage.
A solar roof from Tesla would consist of a combination of solar tiles and non-solar tiles which both look the same from street level, the ratio of which will vary depending on your homes energy needs. According to the Tesla website, each solar tile includes invisible solar cells that have been developed in partnership with Panasonic.
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Tesla Solar Roof: How Much Did It Cost Before
Musk claimed that, in 80 percent of cases, the new tiles would offer a price point that is less than what the average roof costs plus solar panels.
Research from Electrek after the announcement found a 9.45-kilowatt roof of 1,862 square feet cost $38,266. Once the Powerwall and repairs were factored in, it cost $54,866.
LinkedIn engineer Robby Valles in August 2020 that his 1,737-square-foot 7.37-kilowatt solar roof cost $34,067 before tax credits.
For comparison, HomeGuide lists the cost to replace a 2,000-square-foot asphalt roof as $10,460 at the high end. EnergySage lists the average cost of a seven-kilowatt solar system as $19,670 before tax credits.
This suggests Valless roof may have cost slightly more than buying the two separately, although its hard to say as the price would vary depending on the house.
Tony Cho, who ordered a giant Tesla Solar Roof for his Florida retreat, told Inverse in January 2021 that it cost around 35 percent more than the price of panels and a new roof. Jason Lassen, who bought a Solar Roof for his Wisconsin home, told Inversein March 2021 the price was almost the exact same as the cost of a good shingle roof plus solar.
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Tesla Solar Roof Is Becoming A Legitimate Bargain Against High
Tesla took a while before it was able to start a serious ramp of its Solar Roof tiles, but it appears that the wait will be worth it. As the electric car maker continues to expand its Solar Roof installations in the United States, it is starting to become evident that the aesthetically-pleasing solar shingles are a bargain in its class. At its current prices, Teslas Solar Roof presents savings compared to high-end roof options plus a traditional solar system.
The Tesla Solar Roof is actually one of the least expensive in its class of building-integrated PV options. While its true that the Solar Roofs competitors are fewer than, say, the Model 3s rivals in the EV segment, the flagship shingles do have some competition. These include DeSols Power Tiles, as well as the Luma Solar Tiles, both of whom adopt the same concept as the Tesla Solar Roof. The Solar Roof undercuts both competitors in price.
The Tesla Solar Roof is estimated to cost about $2.11 per installed watt, as noted by Green Building Advisor. This is far more affordable than the price of the DeSol Power Tiles, which stand at about $7 per installed watt. Even the Luma Solar Tiles, which are closer in appearance to Teslas Solar Roof V3, command a price of about $4.50 per installed watt. But this is not all, as the Solar Roof could be a reasonable alternative to a setup that involves traditional roofing materials and conventional solar panels as well.
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Why Are Solar Roofs So Expensive In 2021
The situation with the solar roof started to change in March 2021 when Tesla updated the price of the solar roof and made it more expensive than before. They kept the cost of solar watts at the same level, but the cost of inactive bricks increased and varied with the complexity of the homeowners roof.
How Much Do You Save With Tesla Solar Panels
Again, this depends on your electricity usage. With the smallest available Tesla solar setup, youre getting 425 kW of power per day in perfect conditions. If youre using this much or less power on a daily basis, youll be getting 100% free electricity!
For most homes, youll have paid back the systems initial cost within 510 years depending on the system you choose, where you live, and how much sun youre getting per day.
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How Long Does The Tesla Solar Roof Last
Teslas solar shingles are designed with durability in mind and have a Class 3 hail rating, the second highest rating available, as well as the highest fire rating possible.
Plus, the Tesla Solar Roof is covered by a 25-year product warranty, a 25-year module warranty, and a 25-year weatherization warranty. So, just like traditional solar panels, you can expect the Tesla Solar Roof to last at least 25 years.
The 25-year product warranty exceeds solar industry standards, with most solar panels offering between 10 and 12-year product warranties. The 25-year module warranty covers the active solar shingles and gives you an idea of how much power the shingles will provide you as they age. This warranty falls right in line with solar industry standards – its not bad, but its nothing impressive either.
The weatherization warranty is designed to cover the roofing aspect of the Solar Roof. Like most shingle warranties, its prorated, meaning how much is covered depends on how long youve had the roof. You can probably find shingle warranties out there that provide a little more coverage than Teslas, but its not horrible.
The Tesla Powerwall is covered by a separate 10-year warranty.
Can I Buy Out My Tesla Solar Lease
This is not usually a standard part of the contractual agreement with Tesla solar leasing, however, some companies will allow it if your lease specifically states that a buyout is an option before installation.
If you decide to cancel your agreement, Tesla will charge $1,500 to come and remove the panels.
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The Cost Of The Tesla Powerwall
A single Tesla Powerwall costs $11,500. The maximum battery configuration costs $80,500. Heres an overview of the Powerwall pricing:
| Powerwalls Installed | |
|---|---|
| $80,500 | $34,500 |
Most homes need more than one Powerwall to provide enough backup energy for blackouts. Tesla offers discounted pricing for multiple batteries. Installing two Powerwall batteries results in a discount of $4,500 for a total of $18,500. Depending on your battery configuration, you can receive up to a $34,500 discount. Homeowners can add up to 10 Powerwalls.
Teslas Customer Service Comes Up Short
Its true that youll probably get the lowest price for going solar when you go with Tesla. But the price of solar also includes the cost of the long-term relationship that you get with your solar installer, and that seems to be where Tesla cuts costs.
Unfortunately, Tesla has historically been known for having pretty shoddy long-term customer service – which you can read about in customer reviews here on SolarReviews. Because they are such a large company, they don’t have the ability to give you the type of one-on-one service that you need when going solar.
Teslas customers have reported that its hard to get ahold of them if theres a problem with their system, and it can take even longer to get someone out to check on the issues. This can actually cause you to lose a substantial amount of money.
If your solar panels arent producing energy properly, you have less electricity to power your home, and thus a higher electric bill. The longer it takes for someone to fix your system, the more money you lose.
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Sample Prices Of Teslas Solar Roof
A 1250-square-foot home in Alabama with an estimated $450 monthly electric bill comes up with a range of $98.5k $108.1k for installing a Tesla solar roof. The price includes a fee for an extended distance.
A 1689-square-foot home in California with an estimated $850 monthly electric bill would cost the homeowner between $153.8k $174.8k to install a Tesla solar roof. Because it is in a Tesla service area, there is no added fee for an extended distance.
Both of these prices are before any incentives. The federal solar tax credit and local energy efficiency credits can offset some costs.
The Best Way To Save Money While Going Solar Compare Quotes On Energysage
If youre a homeowner trying to understand what all your solar options are, we always recommend you get as many different quotes as possible so you can compare the pros and cons of each offer. Try EnergySages free Solar Calculator to better understand the economics of putting solar panels for your roof. Once youre ready for actual quotes, join the EnergySage Marketplace to receive competing solar installation offers from our network of 500+ pre-screened solar installers. Backed by the U.S. Department of Energy, our mission is to make going solar as easy as booking a flight online.
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What Is The Price Of Tesla Powerwall Tesla Powerwall
There is a catch. It will be $11,050 for the Tesla Powerwall in 2022. The Tesla solar battery support hardware will need to be purchased, adding $1,700. The cost total Tesla Powerwall cost $12,750.
The Powerwall cannot be purchased separately. The Tesla solar battery can only be bought as a part of a home solar system.
Whats the cost of the Tesla Solar Battery cost? The Powerwall is not available as a standalone product. It is necessary to think about the cost of the solar system.
We looked at the current $126.09 monthly average electricity bill to estimate how much a Tesla solar system might cost. This energy consumption is the foundation for Teslas recommendation for the installation of a 4.8kW solar panel system as well as the one Powerwall battery.
Its $20,628. Be aware that the cost of solar panels may vary based on your needs for energy. You might be paying higher or lower for your Tesla solar system by 2022.
Tesla offers a compatible solar roof for its Powerwall battery. Even though solar roof shingles are cheaper than conventional solar panels, they are more efficient.
Tesla estimates that a home with the average U.S. electricity bill of $44,000-51,000 would be equipped with the Tesla rooftop solar roof.
The ITC is only applicable to the purchase or financing the solar power system. It does not apply to leasing or entering into an agreement to purchase solar power . It is possible to be qualified to receive other local or state incentives.
