Thursday, March 21, 2024

How Much Tesla Solar Roof Will Cost

How We Did The Math

Tesla Solar Roof Costs

To get there, we pulled together ballpark pricing for the various roofing materials Teslas solar shingles mimic, from sources like the Slate Roofing Contractors Association, the Tile Roofing Institute, and the Remodeling 2016 Cost vs. Value Report.

There are plenty of variables, of course, including the location of the home and shape and height of the roof. But heres what the installed costs look like for the roughly 3,000 square feet of roofing needed to cover an average size home in the U.S.

Clay Tile: $16,000Asphalt: $20,000Slate: $45,000

So how could a $73,500 roof be considered cost-competitive with a $20,000 asphalt roof? To compensate for the proposed added value of the free electricity from Teslas roof, we added in $2,000 a year, over the lifespan of the roof. Thats a typical electric bill in states where solar is big, like California, Texas, and North Carolina.

Tesla says the life expectancy of its tiles will be 30 years. So that adds $60,000 to the value of the roof.

One final factor: the Tesla Solar Roof will work like any rooftop solar system, connecting to your homes electric panel through an inverter. You could stop there, but the system is being packaged alongside Teslas forthcoming Powerwall 2.0, a battery storage device with a built-in inverter and an installed cost of $6,500. Combining Solar Roof and Powerwall 2.0, Musk promises, will power an entire home with 100 percent renewable energy.

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Are The Savings Worth It

Tesla estimates an average electricity savings of around $1,800 per year with its solar roof system. Assuming a system lifespan of 30 yearsit certainly adds up! Think of choosing a Tesla Solar Roof as pre-paying your electricity bill for the next third of the century.

Will you be in the same property long enough to realize the savings? The good news is that if you sell your home, a Tesla Solar Roof is an eye-catching feature to boost your listing. Solar sufficiency will add considerable resale value to your house.

Common Questions About The Cost Of A Tesla Solar Roof

How much does a Tesla Solar Roof installation cost?

For a 1500 square foot roof, installing a Tesla Solar Roof will cost at least $33,450.

How long does a Tesla Solar Roof installation take?

The installation process for a Tesla Solar Roof takes 5 to 7 business days to complete.

Are solar roofs worth it?

Solar shingles and roofs are worth it if you are a homeowner who needs a new roof and wants to keep some of the aesthetics and functionality of a traditional roof while going solar.

Can you walk on a solar roof?

You can walk on solar roofs in the same way as you would a normal roof, especially when its time to clean.

Which is better: a solar roof or a solar panel system?

A solar panel system will be less expensive and more efficient than a solar roof.

Whats the difference between a solar roof and solar shingles?

Solar shingles are a relatively new invention which are actual individual tiles that can generate solar.

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Are There Any Compelling Alternatives To Tesla Solar Roof

Yes, there are some compelling solar tile alternatives to Tesla Solar Roof. In the US, the top solar tile options are available from Luma Solar, SunTegra, and CertainTeed Apollo.

Luma Solar Tile Roof on a House vial Luma Solar

Luma Solar tiles, for example, present a complete roofing system comprised of heavy 24-gauge galvanized steel tiles combined with monocrystalline solar cells. Luma solar tiles are extremely durable and rated to withstand category 5 hurricanes.

When evaluating which solar system will deliver the best value for the money, its helpful to know upfront that you will be paying a significant premium with a solar tile roof. That said, if you are interested in a slick design, we recommend comparing the price and wait times for a Tesla solar roof to other options like Luma Solar.

Regardless of which option you choose, your installer will need to obtain a building permit and a site plan before the installation can take place. 24hPlans specializes in providing site plans for building permits including solar system designs.

24hplans has team of highly trained, professional architects and drafters who can prepare any kind of site plan in the shortest amount of time possible, so that you can easily obtain that building permit and get on with your project. Use the promotion code: 24hplans-20off to get a 20% discount off any package. Please note this is a limited time offer, exclusive to the readers of our blog. This offer is not being advertised anywhere else.

Is Solar Power Right For You

Tesla Solar Roofs: Very Expensive And Their Warranty Not Infinite

Though youll see great savings in the long run, its still a pretty hefty investment upfront. Before you make a decision, take the time to calculate the costs of your current electricity usage. Compare that to any savings you might gain by switching to solar power, taking into account your location and any government incentives for which you may be eligible too!

If youre a homeowner, then youre likely aware that traditional electric power costs are rising. The grid is based on outdated technology thats more than a hundred years old, and the infrastructure definitely needs an eco-friendly update. With the environmental and monetary costs of fossil power, making a move toward solar power just makes sense.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Gaf: Innovation Is A Part Of Their Dna

GAF stands for General Aniline & Film, and they are currently the largest provider of roofing and waterproofing solutions in North America.

GAF introduced the Timberline roof shingle in 1967, and it became one of the most popular roofing products in the US. One of the companies that merged to create GAF was RUBEROID which launched the first individually cut asphalt shingle in 1912, and the first interlocking shingle in 1933.

GAF Energy was created in 2019 as a separate business unit, with the goal of providing solar solutions for residential and commercial buildings. GAF and GAF Energy are sister companies, both owned by Standard Industries. There are two main product lines:

  • The system integrates solar panels into the roof structure, allowing a flush installation without separate racking.
  • The Timberline Solar roof system uses solar shingles instead of traditional PV modules, and GAF has developed the first nailable solar shingle in the world.

In this guide, we will provide an overview of the Timberline solar roof system, which was launched on January 3, 2022. The GAF Energy website does not provide official pricing data and technical specifications as of April 2022, but they have shared some of this information in blog articles and interviews.

Tesla Solar Roof Warranty

Made with tempered glass, Solar Roof tiles are more than three times stronger than standard roofing tiles and engineered for all-weather durability. The Tesla Solar Roof installed by AES has a 25-year No Leaks Weatherization Warranty. And its backed by the level of quality and innovation you have come to expect from the Tesla brand.

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Does Tesla Manufacture Solar Panels

Tesla installs both solar panels and solar roof tiles. Although the company isnt exactly transparent about this on its website, it doesnt manufacture solar panels but, instead, supplies and installs them.

For a while, the tech giant partnered with Panasonic to create its solar cells, but this partnership came to a close in 2019. With Panasonic out of the picture, Tesla is now working with a company called Hanwha to manufacture their solar panels.

If youre looking to buy some of these panels, expect sleek, all-black slabs, with a 25-year warranty.

Unlike other companies, which usually let you buy individual panels, Tesla currently supplies set solar panel bundles, which weve outlined below.

Size
940 square feet

Tesla Solar Roof: How Much Did It Cost Before

The Problem With Teslas Solar Roof

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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How Does The Tesla Solar Roof Work

The first few attempts at BIPV solar roofs were made by pasting flexible solar panels over regular shingles. However, it was an inefficient method with questionable durability.

When Tesla got into the solar game and designed its solar roof tiles with subsidiary SolarCity, it integrated solar cells directly into the shingles .1 This makes the solar cells almost impossible to spot.

A Tesla Solar Roof comprises two types of roof tiles active and inactive. They look identical, but the active tiles generate power and the inactive do not. Most homes only need part of their roof to be covered in active tiles to offset their energy bills. The inactive tiles can be strategically placed in shady spots to maximize the efficiency of the active tiles while maintaining a seamless design.

Solar shingles generate direct current power, so a Tesla roof also needs an inverter to turn it into usable alternating current power for your home. Tesla recommends adding a Powerwall battery to the system as well. This lets homeowners store solar energy for use at night or as backup power during a grid outage.

Tesla Solar Roof: What Changed

In April 2021, Tesla made a number of changes to its solar offerings.

  • It is no longer possible to purchase the Solar Roof or the retrofit roof panels without also purchasing the Powerwall battery. Musk claims this will simplify installations.
  • The Powerwall 2 will unlock more peak power capability through a software update in May 2021. Newer batteries produced since around November 2020 offer more power than advertised. Energy remains the same, but peak power and steady-state power are around double in these newer units.
  • The Solar Roof is now more expensive.

Electrek obtained an email that went out to Solar Roof buyers. It included a line that explains we have increased the price of Solar Roof and have added adjustments for individual roof complexity.

On the firms new Roof Complexity web page, it explains:

Your roofs complexity will determine your Solar Roof installations level of difficulty, which is factored into your final purchase price. Roofs fall into three tiers of complexity simple, intermediate and complex. Roof complexity is determined by the number and severity of roof obstructions such as the pitch, number of joints, chimneys and other features on your roof that add to the difficulty of the installation.

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What Are The Costs Of Installing Solar Panels

The average cost to install solar panels is $15,000 to $25,000, depending on the size of your roof. To break it down further, according to EnergySage.com, The cost of solar panels as of July 2021 is about $19,300 after tax credits .

Likely, youll save more than this over the long run. While the exact figure depends on how much energy you generally consume and the average cost of electricity in your area, switching to solar power generally leaves you with a bill thats 20 percent the price of your previous ones. That number rises to 40 percent for homes with electric heating or air conditioning systems!

Better yet, state governments also offer tax incentives for those who install renewable energy systems like solar panels .

The New Gaf Solar Roof: Cost & Comparisons The Ultimate Guide

How much does the Tesla solar roof cost in 2020 compared to ...

Solar tile roofs are becoming a popular option for homeowners who want to use renewable energy. Instead of installing solar panels on top of your roof with a racking system, photovoltaic cells are integrated directly into the shingles or tiles that make up your roof.

Both BiPV shingles and traditional solar arrays offer a service life of 25 years or more, and they make sense from a financial standpoint. However, if youre among the homeowners who prefer the look of a traditional roof without PV modules, you might be interested in a solar roofing system.

GAF is an established provider of high-quality roofing materials, and they recently developed the Timberline Solar Energy Shingles. This product is characterized by being the first nailable solar shingle in the market, which makes the installation process much simpler.

  • GAF has designed a solar shingle that can be easily installed by roofing contractors, making the overall process easier for homeowners.
  • Normally, homeowners need to contact two separate companies to install their roofs and solar panels.

GAF offers complete roof replacements that include solar shingles, similar to how Tesla Solar Roof works. In other words, you cannot use their solar shingles for a partial roof upgrade. This is not a problem for new construction projects and homes that require a complete roof replacement.

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Tesla Solar Roof At A Glance:

  • The Tesla Solar Roof integrates solar panels into regular roof shingles so homeowners can generate solar power on their roofs without having to worry about the look of their home being tainted by solar panels.
  • Tesla estimates that a 6.14 kW Solar Roof will cost a total between $39,800 and $48,700 before incentives for an average-sized roof, depending on its complexity.
  • Tesla estimates that a 6.14 kW Solar Roof will cost a total between $39,800 and $48,700 before incentives for an average-sized roof, depending on its complexity.
  • The active Tesla Solar Roof shingles cost $1.80 per watt, which is cheaper than the national average cost of solar.
  • Tesla charges between $13.30 and $18.54 per square foot for non-solar roofing materials.
  • While the Solar Roof looks nice, it wont give you as much savings as traditional solar panels, and you have to deal with Teslas unreliable service for 25+ years.

Does The Gaf Solar Roof Have A Good Warranty

GAF has not published detailed technical information and pricing data, but their warranty conditions are described in high detail. GAF offers an excellent 25-year warranty, which ensures clean electricity for your home in the long run.

Their power production warranty offers 84.8% of initial output after 25 years of use, with 2% degradation during the first year of use and then only 0.55% degradation per year. The following table summarizes the percentage of initial capacity remaining over time when using Timberline Solar shingles:

Year
25 84.8%

The GAF solar roof also has a 25-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects that cause leaks, and a 15-year warranty against wind damage . These warranties cover the following system components:

  • Timberline solar energy shingles
  • Electrical transition box and flashing
  • QuickStart jumper module
  • Wire bracket and cover

If you sell your home during the 25-year warranty period, it can be transferred to a new owner a single time. However, the GAF warranty is voided if your home is sold to a third owner.

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Solar Roof Replacement Cost: A Simple Breakdown For Homeowners

Solar power continues to grow as people and homeowners find more sustainable ways to live to help the environment and save money on energy costs over time. One of those ways people are living sustainably is by installing solar roof panels.

Solar roof panels can power your entire home without the reliance on the electrical power grid. This can save you a lot of money over time, depending on your location and usage. Google has created a fun tool called Project Sunroof that allows you to plug in your address and determine how much money you could save switching to solar power, plus a customized solar analysis including estimated cost.

If you find that you could make back the money you pay for the installation of solar panels over time, then youll want to start looking into companies and the cost to replace your roof with solar panels. This post should help you get a ballpark idea of what that solar roof cost may be.

What Are The Costs Of Installing A Tesla Solar Roof

Tesla Solar Roof Cost Versus Solar Panels Full Cost Breakdown: Not Cheap

Teslas solar roof consists of a 70-micron thick, fully tempered glass top layer and another 150-micron thick textured protective layer to shield against minor impacts. The high-performance, low-cost roof tiles are four inches wide and have integrated photovoltaic cells embedded into them. Due to their design, these cells can generate up to 80 percent more electricity than traditional panels.

As for the overall price, youre looking at spending upwards of $39,017 according to Tesla estimates. This price includes what you can expect to save from local and national tax incentives. Obviously, the average cost is far higher on the front end than standard solar panels, and you must also purchase a Tesla Powerwall. However, it is an energy-efficient solution thats a great alternative to bulky rooftop panels.

Youll also end up saving more with the Tesla solar roof over time since these solar roof shingles cost $2.01 per watt, which is less expensive than the average solar panel cost nationwide.

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