Scenario : Youre Interested In Going Solar And Also Need To Replace Your Roof
While this is a less common scenario, it may fit you if your current roof is coming up on the end of its useful life. This scenario may also fit you if youre in the process of building a new home from scratch, and havent picked out your roofing material yet. In this scenario, unlike the first one, you are on the market and actively shopping for both a new roof and a solar panel installation.
If this description fits you better, Teslas Solar Roof may make more financial sense. In this case, you have the option of either replacing your roof first and then installing traditional solar panels, or combining both actions with the installation of a Tesla Solar Roof.
In our example, lets assume a $5 per square foot cost for an asphalt shingle roof replacement for your home in California. Based on these criteria, lets see how your new solar panel and roof replacement will compare to a new Tesla Solar Roof, based on varying roof size:
| Roof size | |
|---|---|
| $53,000 | 48% |
So, in this case, the cost of new solar panels and the cost of a roof replacement and a new Tesla Solar Roof are most comparable if your roof is only 1,500 square feet. However, as explained above, its important to note that your ROI will likely still be lower because the efficiency of the Tesla Solar Roof is probably lower than that of solar panels and your system size is smaller meaning your electricity bill wont go down as much as it could.
The Solar Roof Potential
If the Tesla Solar Roof lives up to its potential as a cost-effective aesthetically pleasing and durable system, it will greatly expand the number of homeowners willing to go solar and will be used widely in zero energy homes. If costs come down for the Tesla Powerwall, the integration of the Solar Roof and the Powerwall will increase the storage and production of renewable energy speeding the development of fully renewable energy grids.
*Since there are so many variables at play, such as roof size, roof complexity, local costs for materials and labor, and efficiency of different PV systems, this comparison is meant only as an example. The key is to get several estimates and compare warranties to determine the actual cost-effectiveness comparison in your specific situation.** The Tesla Solar Roof is currently available in most zip codes in the following states: CA, OR, WA, TX, NV, NM, FL, IL, NY, NJ, PA, RI, NH, MA, VT and CO. Check with Tesla if your state is not on this list because they are steadily expanding.
What Are Solar Shingles And How Do They Work
Solar power shingles, also known as photovoltaic shingles, are solar panels that mimic the appearance and function of conventional roofing materials like asphalt or slate, while performing their core task of generating electricity.
Technically called BIPV , solar roof shingles present a unique and increasingly popular renewable energy solution. Studies backed by the Department of Energy in recent years have shown that solar roofing features such as solar shingles can boost the value of your home by as much as $15,000 or even more.
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Start The Solar Shopping Process Today With Solar Panel Quotes On Energysage
Solar shingles offer a nice compromise between the aesthetically pleasing, costly solar roof and a standard solar panel system. However, the aesthetic benefits of a SunTegra installation come with some definite compromises on electricity production and cost. In many cases, a standard solar panel system is a much more cost-effective option for your home. The average EnergySage customer with a solar panel system breaks even on their solar investment in just seven years.
If youre considering a solar roof, solar shingles, or standard rooftop panels, comparing all of your options can help you determine the relative costs and benefits of going solar. Join the EnergySage Solar Marketplace to solicit competitive quotes for rooftop solar PV systems from installers local to you. Whether your top priority is aesthetics, long-term savings, or initial investment, reviewing offers from multiple providers is the best way to find the right option for your home.
Ergosun Integrated Solar Roof Tile System
an aesthetically pleasing solarized concrete roof tile
The Ergosun Integrated Solar Roof is a concrete roofing product that can be installed by easily and quickly by MOXIE.
Each Ergosun Integrated Solar Roof Tile is part of a larger solar power generation system. Many of the options throughout the system are yours to customize. As a homeowner, you can choose the amount of power you want and the types of inverters. Then add battery storage to your system to keeps the lights on during outages.
Find out more about Ergosun Solar Roof Tiles cost from one of our MOXIE solar experts.
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Learn How Much Solar Can Save You Today Before You Make Your Decision
Just as Tesla Motors doesnt make electric vehicles for the masses, Tesla Energy isnt developing a solar roof that belongs on every home. In many ways, the companys solar roof product is similar to its first electric car. If you are an early adopter of new technologies, dont care about price, and are prepared to wait for a product with an uncertain manufacturing timeline, then waiting for Tesla solar roof tiles could be the right decision for your home.
However, there are always risks associated with installing a brand-new, untested technology. Unlike Teslas solar roof tiles, many of the premium solar panels currently available on the market today are produced by well-known consumer electronics manufacturers that have been producing solar panels for a decade or more.
Additionally, waiting to go solar has its risks, even if youre interested in a brand-new technology. The cost of going solar is falling every year, and there are premium solar panels already available today that come with high efficiency ratings and a sleek black design. If you wait years for the Tesla solar roof, you will lose out on years of savings on your electricity bill. You also run the risk of missing out on financial incentives for solar many state tax credits have already expired, and the federal investment tax credit for solar will be phased out starting in 2020.
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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Are Solar Roofs Cost Effective
One way to answer that question is to evaluate the leading product in this category Teslas third generation Solar Roof, the most cost effective solar roof currently available with the most advanced technology. At $2.11* per installed watt, the Tesla system beats out DeSol Power Tiles and Luma Solar Tiles on cost.
It has been shown in one case study, using California electric rates, that the cost of the Tesla Solar Roof can be 53% less than the cost of replacing your roof and purchasing the electricity over 25 years to power the home. Presumably, this would apply to new construction as well as roof replacement. However, the savings would be less in states with lower electric rates, and in existing homes the cost savings depend on having an old roof that needs replacement.
If your roof is ready for replacement or if you are building a new home, the remaining question is how does the Tesla Solar Roof stack up against adding a racked solar system to a standard new roof? Is it worth the money? What are the other pros and cons of a Tesla Solar Roof?
Order Your Roof + Pay A Deposit
The first step to getting the Tesla solar roof installed is to order it on Teslas website. Simply enter your address and average electric bill, and Tesla will give you a price estimate for your home. At this step, you can choose to include the Tesla Powerwall, the companys energy storage option. However, it isnt required to install Powerwall with the solar roof. You then pay a $100 deposit.
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Does The Tesla Solar Roof Qualify For The Solar Tax Credit
Yes, the portion of costs associated with the active solar shingles and the battery qualify for the 26% federal solar tax credit.
For example, if you have a $50,000 Tesla solar roof and $20,000 of it represents the cost of the inactive roofing materials, only the remaining $30,000 for the solar shingles and Powerwall would qualify for the federal tax credit. Once the 26% tax credit is considered, the solar and battery costs would drop to $22,200, and the total cost for the entire roof would fall to $42,200.
Get The Roof Inspected
After the installation is complete, the roof will have to be inspected and approved to be interconnected to the grid by your utility. This can range from one to five weeks. Waiting for permitting, inspections, and interconnection could take a few months.
Once the roof is inspected, you can download the Tesla app and monitor the systems production!
Note: There is also no way of knowing when an installer can get to your house to begin the solar roof installation. So, the complete timeline of how long it takes to get the solar roof installed ranges from one month, to possibly over a year.
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Tesla Solar Roof And Powerwall
Tesla Solar Roof is the only roof that can help pay for itself with the energy you produce. Power your home at the lowest price per watt of any national provider and take control of your monthly electricity bill. Complete your system with Powerwall to add storage. Contact Greenway Solar today to learn how. Currently serving Minnesota and Iowa.
How Do The Savings Of The Tesla Solar Roof Compare To Traditional Solar Panels
Now we know the cost of a solar roof compared to a traditional solar installation and roof replacement, but how do the savings stack up?
A traditional 8.18 kW solar system in California will produce around 17,688 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Based on an electric rate of $0.19 per kWh, that would save about $3,360 per year, and about $97,000 over the 25-year lifetime of the system.
Teslas production estimates for the solar roof would bring yearly savings to around $2,354 and the lifetime savings to $66,270.
The lower solar production from the solar roof is mainly because solar shingle orientation is determined by the slope of your roof. Rack-mounted solar panels are able to be oriented for ideal solar generation, giving you higher energy bill savings. So, you could actually install a smaller traditional solar panel system and still cover your electric bill.
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What Is The Difference Between Teslas Solar Roof And Tesla Solar Panels
Tesla solar panels look like the solar panels youre used to seeing on roofs. They are installed on top of your existing roof and generate electricity for your home to use.
Teslas solar shingles are designed to look like traditional roofing materials, so you cant tell that there is solar installed on the roof.
Tesla solar shingles require a full new roof replacement, so the solar roof tiles don’t stand out from the rest of your shingles. Unlike their traditional rooftop solar panels, Tesla manufactures their solar shingles themselves at their Buffalo, New York gigafactory.
You can read more about how Teslas solar roof compares to conventional solar panels here.
An Estimated 85% Of Us Residents Can Neither Own Nor Lease Systems Because Their Roofs Are Physically Unsuitable For Solar Or Because They Live In Multi
Community solar gardens and micro-grids allow individuals or businesses to obtain their energy from solar even if they are not able to utilize their home/roof. The Solar gardens output is fed directly into the utility via an interconnection to the grid. Based upon the output of the system, the subscribers portion of the gardens production will be credited on their bill from the utility.
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Tesla Solar Roof Vs Hail
The 25-year warranties meet the standard for most solar panels on the market. They are a little more durable than traditional solar panels when it comes to their hail and wind ratings.
Most solar panels are tested for their strength against one-inch hail. While this is considered severe hail and is rare in many places, Teslas is tested to withstand 1.75-inch hail.
Project Financing And The Google Fund
SolarCity partners with banks, large corporations, and the asset-backed market to create project finance funds to finance its lease and power purchase agreement options. Among SolarCity’s better-known financing partnerships was a $280 million fund created with Google to finance residential solar installations in June 2011. The Google Fund was the largest fund of its kind in the U.S., and Google’s largest investment in clean energy.
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Go Green With Solar Power Roofing Shingles
Solar power is a great way to save the environment as well as save money on your electric bill. However, many homeowners dislike the sight of bulky solar panels on their roof. Solar shingles are a newer technology that look like ordinary roofing shingles. Kapital Electric is a premier solar shingle installation company in Chicago, and can install a beautiful and cost-efficient new solar shingle roof on your home.
Solar Roof Vs Solar Panels
There are two major differences between a solar roof and a traditional solar panel system complexity and price.
Talk with any roofer or solar company that has worked with the solar shingle product, well bet theyll tell you that the Tesla solar roof is one of the most complex and intricate roofing systems that they have ever seen. An average 8kw solar roof will have around 460 solar shingles, which means there are 460 wiring connection points on your roof . On the other hand, a traditional solar system for this size will include around 25 solar panels, meaning 25 connections.
With a traditional solar system, you can also get panel level solar monitoring so you would know exactly when a panel is underperforming while being able to pinpoint exactly where the problem is in your system. This level of monitoring just isnt available yet for the solar roof, making it a challenge to quickly address any issues when they come up.
Next on the list is price. Teslas Solar Roof website has a slick calculator that takes your address and uses Googles Project Sunroof to automatically generate a Solar Roof solution for your home. While the tool is fun to play with, the prices and energy savings it estimates dont impress us when compared to traditional solar panels. Lets take a deeper dive into price differences between the Tesla Solar roof and traditional solar panels.
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Phoenix Exteriors Becomes Second Illinois Certified Installer Of The Tesla Solar Roof
Image courtesy of Phoenix Exteriors.
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. Phoenix Exteriors, headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., has become one of only two companies in Illinois to become a Certified Installer of the Tesla Solar Roof and reseller of the Tesla Powerwall.
Tesla partners with local companies who are professionally trained to install the Solar Roof and sell the Tesla Powerwall. In order to become a Certified Installer, companies must adhere to strict quality, permitting and inspection requirements specified by Tesla.
“Our company is excited to partner with Tesla in the installation of Solar Roofs and Powerwalls all over the U.S.,” said Phoenix Exteriors CEO and Founder Eric Stanis. “They foster the same mission as us in providing climate-saving products and in envisioning a greener future.”
Phoenix Exteriors is currently undergoing its first installation of a Tesla Solar Roof at a residential home in Illinois, with more in the works through 2021.
The Solar Roof, a solar energy system made up of tempered glass tiles with embedded solar cells, replaces a traditional roof with a seamless design, and the Powerwall, a compact home battery that stores energy, detects outages and automatically becomes a home’s energy source when the grid goes down, are now part of a premier product line Phoenix Exteriors is now offering, will goals to offer Tesla products to every homeowner in America by 2022.
Tesla Solar Roof Cost And Availability: How To Buy Elon Musk’s Energy Tiles
The solar-harnessing tiles could be coming to a roof near you.
The third-generation Tesla Solar Roof is here. Elon Musk’s newest energy-saving shingles were announced in October 2019 and feature a design that looks nearly identical to a regular roof. But how much does a Tesla Solar Roof cost? And where are they available?
The Tesla Solar Rooftiles have a lot to offer. They’re designed to blend into your roof while providing renewable power 24/7 in conjunction with a Powerwall battery. They have a warranty of 25 years. Tesla even made a video showing its Solar Roof surviving a two-inch hailstone moving at 100 mph. That’s way better than regular old roof tiles hold up.
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