Tesla Roof Vs Solar Panels

Solar Roof Tiles Are A Good Choice For:

• Homeowners who are concerned about the appearance of their property, i.e. they want solar energy but don’t want solar panels sitting on top of their roof.
• New build projects and homeowners who are replacing their roof and would like the dual benefit of solar technology.
• Properties in conservation areas or listed properties which aren’t allowed solar panels but can replace the roof.

Disadvantages Of Tesla Solar Roof Over Solar Panels

• Expensive: Ordinary solar panels produce three times the amount of energy per cell as Tesla Solar Roof tiles do, yet the Tesla tiles are three times more expensive. Youd be paying for aesthetics, potential longevity, and the name of Tesla. This is not a cost-effective option compared to solar panels.
• Durability: Tesla Solar Roof tiles are extremely durable, but so are solar panels. Tesla just wins the durability test when comparing its Solar Roof tiles to traditional roofing materials like clay tiles, asphalt shingles, and paneling.
• Energy efficiency: The energy efficiency is about the same, with solar panels coming out ahead in most cases cell per cell. Remember, energy efficiency is measured when comparing the amount of energy it takes to do a certain task. The less energy used to complete the task, the more energy efficient something is.
• Lengthy installation: The time it takes for the installation process of the Tesla Solar Roof can be a huge inconvenience, especially if you work or study from home. It can take a week or two, depending on the complexity and size of your roof. Solar panels only take one to three days.
• Personnel challenges: Statistically, there are simply fewer Tesla Solar Roof experts than there are solar panel experts. If you encounter issues with your system, its much easier to get a repair expert to come fix your solar panels than it is to fix your Tesla Solar Roof.

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.

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Tesla Solar Panels 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.

Do Tesla Solar Roofs Look Good

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so determining if a Tesla solar roof looks good depends on individual tastes. The Tesla solar roof is far from an eyesore, though, and blends in well to look like a conventional roof. These additions also have four shingle styles available: Tuscan, Slate Glass Tile, Textured Glass Tile and Smooth Glass Tile.

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Tesla Solar Roofs Cons

• Return on investment can be lower or take longer than how long youll own the house. Solar of any kind is a big investment that may or may not recoup your investment through energy savings.
• Homeowners might need a new roof if they want to install solar shingles, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars
• Tesla solar roofs wont work with flat roofs or homes with unique architectural roof features

Exploring Tesla Solar Roof Vs Solar Panels

When Tesla released their Solar Roof it really piqued consumer interest in solar tiles. And it caught a lot of people by surprise when Tesla recently increased the Solar Roofs cost by a pretty big margin. But theyre not playing this game alone. Lets explore how Tesla solar products stack up against the competition and whats a better value: solar panels or solar tiles?

When Tesla releases a new product, it instantly goes viral, and the Solar Roof was no exception. Since then this technology has spurred a lot of interest around the world. But Tesla wasnt the first company entering this market, although it was the biggest. A few companies had already introduced solar tiles to the market, while others have been spurred on by Tesla to develop similar products.

In a previous video, I covered a lot of the details of Teslas Solar Roof and interviewed an installer with experience with the product. Ill include a link in the description if youre interested. And just recently Tesla changed Solar Roofs pricing somewhat dramatically. 1 Before we unpack that price, lets jump into the technology and check out the differences, advantages, and downsides compared to solar panels.

When looking beyond aesthetics, one area that panels have an edge over tiles is positioning. Solar tiles cant be turned and tilted to catch maximum sunlight, so their installation angle cant be optimized.

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Tesla Solar Roof Cost Vs Solar Panels

Heres the big question: Teslas solar roof cost vs solar panels. When compared to conventional panels, do Teslas shingles still make sense?

Right off the bat, lets say this: Teslas tiles are more expensive than normal solar panels. That makes sense as its really two products in one: roofing and solar.

Lets dig into the numbers a bit: and compare costs for the average US home, which now clocks in at 2,700 square feet in size:

• Tesla Solar Shingles: At $21.85 per square foot, youd shell out $58,995
• New Shingles + Conventional Solar Panels: $9,180 for asphalt shingles and $11,970 for a 5.7kW solar installation , for a total of $21,150.

As you can see, Teslas solar shingles really dont make financial sense. Even if you install a giant solar installation upwards of a whopping 10 to 12 kW with conventional solar panels, youre still better off financially. With Teslas solar shingles, youre spending a lot more money for the same end result: a new roof and a solar installation that helps you save money.

Of course, things can and will change. Prices will certainly decrease as more and more homeowners install Teslas solar tiles. Teslas already done it with their Powerwall 2, which packs quite a punch at a surprisingly low price.

Considering that youre getting both solar panels and a very durable roof when you purchase Teslas solar tiles, it seems like theyre on course to be a game changer in the roofing industry and solar industry.

Benefits Of A Solar Roof

• They are supposed to last a lifetime. Tesla claims that their solar roofs are built to last for life. Considering the expense and headache that goes into roofs, this is a very attractive prospect for homeowners. Tesla offers a lifetime guarantee, so essentially youd never have to worry about replacing or repairing your roof again!
• It looks great. While we have to remain open-minded about the aesthetic look of a typical solar array on residential homes, there is no doubt that the Tesla roof just looks better. Its a clean, conspicuous look that any homeowner can appreciate.
• It comes with a Tesla Powerwall. The Tesla Powerwall is one of the best products available when it comes to maximizing your solar energy. It stores energy during sunlight hours and makes that energy available during the night. Energy storage is one of the bottlenecks of solar, and the Powerwall is the latest in attempts to combat that. Additionally, it can power your home in case of a power outage!

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Do Solar Shingles Cost More Than Solar Panels

The Tesla solar roof tiles have decreased in cost since the first home installation in 2011. The solar tiles are now about half the original price. However, they are still relatively expensive, especially when considering labor costs, and not readily available. Tesla states that a roof made up of Teslas solar roof tiles will cost $21.5 per square foot. If you have a home with a 1,500 square feet roof, putting solar shingles on your entire roof will cost $32,250 without labor costs. The total cost of installing solar roof tiles can be reduced with rebates and federal tax incentives. But Tesla Solar Roof Shingles are much more expensive than solar panels.

In comparison, a solar energy system using solar panels usually cost roughly $400 per solar panel. And including labor costs, a solar energy system can range anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the roof and wattage size. When factoring in labor costs and any applicable tax incentives, the price difference can be substantial. The cost of difference is the most significant factor most homeowners consider when choosing between solar roof shingles and solar PV panels.

Cost Difference After Tesla Promotions And Federal Tax Credit

Lets throw in some promotions from Tesla. These were promotions I received once I submitted my deposit. These may not be available for your Tesla Solar Roof but I have ways to save money on your roof below.

First, Tesla included a free Powerwall+ battery. That was a $10,500 savings at the time. All installation costs and equipment were included, such as the gateway and monitoring system. The Powerwall+ includes the inverter.

Another promotion at the time was they would maximize my solar system based on the size of my roof. While they were quoting me for a 6.607 kW system, the promotion would increase the number of photovoltaic tiles to the maximum amount that could fit on my roof. This was good for me as I had room to grow.

They then quantified the promotion by saying they would increase the number of solar tiles by 10 percent of my quote or give me $2,000 back.

The local solar panel installer was not providing any discounts or rebates. On the other hand, they were saying prices would increase during my quoting process due to inflation. And they did increase the price on me once.

The biggest cost savings was the 26 percent federal tax credit. This applied to both Tesla Solar Roof and the solar panels. The full solar panel quote was reduced by 26 percent. As Tesla provides a roof and solar, their contract specified the amount that was eligible for the tax credit.

That extra $1,688 was worth it for me to have a more aesthetically pleasing design and a backup battery system.

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Scenario : Youre Interested In Solar

Storage is becoming increasingly popular to install with your solar panels depending on where you live. Especially if you live in an area that experiences frequent blackouts, you might want to pair storage with your solar installation to provide backup power. Or, if you dont live in an area with net metering, you might want to store the excess energy that your solar system produces during the day to use at night. Whatever your reason, the Tesla Solar Roof could make financial sense for you, depending on how much storage you need.

In our example, lets say you experience frequent blackouts at your home in California and want a storage system to provide backup power. While youd probably only need one battery to provide backup for all of your essential appliances, if you want to power more appliances or experience long blackouts, maybe youre looking to purchase two. With your Tesla Solar Roof, you can only install a Tesla Powerwall, which provides 13.5 kWh of backup energy and varies in cost depending on how many you add. Thus, well use this storage option in our Tesla Solar Roof estimate.

Efficiency Of The Tesla Solar Roof

One factor to consider when making a cost comparison between installing new solar panels and installing a new Tesla Solar Roof is efficiency. Tesla has not released data on the efficiency of its solar shingles, but EnergySage estimates that typical solar shingle brands range from 14 to 18 percent efficiency, whereas most solar panels are 22 to 23 percent efficient. Its important to keep this in mind when deciding if the Tesla Solar Roof is worth it for you because your overall return on investment will likely be lower than if you install new solar panels.

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Does Tesla Sell Traditional Solar Panels

If you dont want to replace your roof completely, Tesla also offers conventional solar panels. These are more affordable than their photovoltaic roof shingles, and you can expect the typical pricing of a residential installation. Tesla uses 400-watt modules, and their home systems come in four standard sizes:

Tesla is one of the leading solar panel providers in the US, with more than 430,000 installations completed. Their solar panels come with a 25-year performance warranty, which offers 80% of rated capacity at the end of the coverage period.

Tesla also offers a 10-year comprehensive warranty, which covers products and labor. The 10-year warranty also covers the solar inverter and mounting system, as well as the Tesla Powerwall if you decide to include it.

The latest solar roof shingles from Tesla can be installed on top of your normal roof shingles, just like traditional solar modules. This can be expected to decrease installation costs in the future, since a complete roof replacement will no longer be necessary.

Installing Solar Shingles: How Many Do You Need

Installation of solar roofing shingles may take up to a week old shingles will need to be removed from the home, new shingles put into place, and the entire solar system connected through your inverter and solar battery.

Before the installation process begins, a roofer will join you at your home to help you assess how many solar shingles youll need. There are a couple of factors that will determine how many shingles you need: The size of the shingles you select, the square footage of your home and the amount of energy you need to generate.

One thing to keep in mind is that most homeowners do not need to cover their entire roof with solar shingles you can intermingle them with traditional roof shingles to cut costs while still generating plenty of solar power.

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Who Should Buy A Solar Roof

The initial appeal of the Tesla Solar Roof will target the wealthy, tech-savvy homeowner with a passion for renewable energy. Due to the solar roof cost, the purchaser of a solar roof will have a deep passion for aesthetics.

There is certainly a risk-reward aspect of being one of the first owners of a Tesla Solar Roof. The reward is obviously being able to be one of the first owners of this beautiful technology. The risk is the same. Being the owner of the first version of anything comes with the risk of having to be patient while kinks are worked out.

If you want to be an owner of the Tesla Solar Roof you will need a large amount of expendable cash and an even larger amount of patience as it could take years for the solar roofs to get installed.

Greater Chance Of Issues: Higher Failure Rates

Since there are many more solar shingles than panels in the same size system, all these shingles need to be electrically connected. This means that with each shingle that is added, the potential points of failure increase substantially. With a traditional solar panel system, you may have 15 solar panels. With a Tesla Roof, you will have to worry about 10x more individual components that could break. This is represented in the higher real-world failure rate of solar roof shingles compared to solar panels.

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Does A Tesla Solar Roof Increase Home Value

Whether a Tesla solar roof increases your home value depends on the location of your property and potential buyers. However, Tesla has an avid fan base, and a home with a Tesla solar roof could fetch you a few more dollars. If you live in an area that places additional value in green initiatives, then a home with solar power could appear more attractive and increase the value.

Slow To Get Installed And Takes A Long Time To Install

Since solar roof tiles are a recent innovation, solar roof shingles do not have many installation contractors. To install solar roof shingles, you need to find a solar installation company with expertise in roofing and solar energy. With the limited number of experienced solar tile installers, it can be harder to find a professional solar tile installer, and the vetting process is typically longer. Also, it takes much more labor to install solar roof tiles than solar panels. On average, it takes 5-6 hours for a solar installation team to install solar panels on an average home. It would take the same solar installation team roughly 5-6 days to install the solar roof shingles.

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