Tesla Solar Roof Review (2023)

Professionals and Cons of Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof

Tesla’s photo voltaic tiles are among the many top-tier choices for integrating solar energy into your house. Nonetheless, count on to pay considerably extra in comparison with conventional photo voltaic panel installations.

Professionals:

• Excessive wattage per sq. foot
• Sturdy guarantee protection
• Aesthetically pleasing, low-profile design

Cons:

• Excessive price
• Decrease resistance to wind in comparison with options
• Mounted positioning, missing adjustability
• Potential points with customer support

Whereas Tesla is famous for its developments in electrical autos, it has additionally secured a spot as a significant participant in photo voltaic power set up throughout the U.S. The Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof, a novel providing from the corporation, merges photo voltaic know-how with roofing supplies to create an extra delicate photo voltaic presence on your house.

For many who discover commonplace photo voltaic panels ugly and are contemplating roof alternatives, the Photo voltaic Roof could also be a superb possibility, albeit an costly one. The price of reaching equal photo voltaic power output with the Photo voltaic Roof is considerably larger than the mixed price of a brand new roof plus commonplace panels.

Tesla has discontinued its press workplace, limiting obtainable data to public sources. Our insights on the Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof are primarily based on publicly accessible data, as hands-on testing was not possible.

Advantages of Selecting Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof

Tesla markets its Photo voltaic Roof as a revolutionary mix of performance and elegance. Though it’s not the one product to combine photo voltaic power into constructing supplies, Tesla’s providing is arguably essentially the most outstanding and among the many best within the photo voltaic roofing market.

Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof transforms the idea of photo voltaic panels by integrating photovoltaic cells into roofing shingles. Choosing a Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof means you’ll be putting in a mixture of solar-active and conventional shingles that not solely generate electrical energy but in addition mimic the looks of a traditional roof, which could be pleasing to onlookers.

Nonetheless, this innovation comes with a caveat: it usually necessitates the elimination of your current roof. Not too long ago, Tesla has acknowledged its functionality to put in the Photo voltaic Roof over some newer, single-layered roof buildings, but the bulk would require an entire roof alternative. Moreover, Tesla requires the set up of not less than one of its Powerwall batteries alongside the Photo voltaic Roof, making certain power storage and backup.

Protection and Specs of Tesla Photo voltaic Roof

Class	Description
Wattage per shingle	71.67 W
Wattage per sq. foot	15.3 W
Wind ranking	110 mph
Hail ranking	Class 3
Effectivity	Not specified

Tesla’s Warranties

Tesla stands out within the photo voltaic shingle market with three intensive warranties for its Photo voltaic Roof. Prospects profit from a 25-year assure on the product itself, safety in opposition to climate injury for a similar length, and a performance warranty that ensures the shingles perform successfully for 25 years. Tesla’s weatherization guarantee is unmatched within the {industry}, and its efficiency guarantee is among the many most strong obtainable.

Particular person Guarantee Particulars

Class	Years lined	Description
Product Guarantee	25	Offers protection for producer defects in design and materials.
Weatherization guarantee	25	Offers safety in opposition to injury from wind and rain.
Efficiency guarantee	25	Tesla assures that the efficiency of your Photo voltaic Roof won’t drop beneath 95% throughout the first 5 years and won’t decline by greater than 0.5% yearly over the next 20 years.

Energy Output

Every of Tesla’s photo voltaic shingles is rated for its energy manufacturing, with a person shingle able to producing 71.67 watts beneath optimum situations. The general energy your roof can produce will depend on the mixed wattage of those shingles.

The effectivity of photo voltaic shingles is usually assessed by wattage per sq. foot, which signifies the power that may be produced per unit of roof space. With Tesla’s photo voltaic shingles producing about 15.3 watts per sq. foot, they provide a superb stability of energy and area effectivity, doubtlessly lowering the variety of shingles wanted and reducing total prices.

Sturdiness Towards Wind

Tesla’s Photo voltaic Roof is rated to endure winds as much as 110 mph, which, whereas not the very best within the photo voltaic shingle market, continues to be appreciable. Rivals could supply higher wind resistances, some as much as 200 mph. In case your area is understood for harsh climate, contemplating a photo voltaic roof product with the next wind ranking could be advisable.

Necessary Set up of Tesla Powerwall with Photo voltaic Roof

The set up of the Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof requires the addition of not less than one Powerwall battery. Tesla’s lineup contains the Powerwall 2, Powerwall Plus, and the just lately introduced Powerwall 3, which is ready to be launched in 2024.

Obtainable Powerwall Choices

As of now, prospects can select between the Powerwall 2 and the Powerwall Plus. The Powerwall 2 serves as a devoted power storage unit, whereas the Powerwall Plus integrates an inverter, enhancing its utility for backup energy. The 2 fashions share comparable specs in power capability, every providing 13.5 kWh of storage. The first distinction lies within the Powerwall Plus’s superior off-grid energy functionality. Each models are backed by Tesla’s unlimited-cycle guarantee, making certain reliability and peace of thoughts.

Class	Tesla Powerwall 2	Tesla Powerwall Plus
Capability	13.5 kWh	13.5 kWh
What number of can I stack?	As much as 10 models	As much as 10 models
Spherical-trip effectivity	90%	90%
Depth of discharge	100%	100%
Steady energy output (on-grid)	5 kW	5 kW
Steady energy output (off-grid)	NA	7 kW – 9.6 kW
AC- or DC-coupled?	AC	DC
Value	$9,000 – $14,000	NA

Value Overview of Tesla Photo voltaic Roof

Value Issues for Tesla Photo voltaic Roof

Putting in a Tesla Photo voltaic Roof is mostly costlier than standard photo voltaic panel setups. The general price can fluctuate, particularly in case you are already in want of a roof alternative, which is a considerable expense by itself.

Finances-Pleasant Photo voltaic Options

For these prioritizing cost-effectiveness in photo voltaic power adoption, the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof may not be the optimum alternative. For instance, a Tesla-provided estimate for a Dallas house geared up with 12.46 kilowatts of photo voltaic capability and Powerwall battery quantities to $168,400. In distinction, conventional photo voltaic panels with comparable capability and a Powerwall for a similar house are estimated at $26,966.

Influence of Roof Complexity on Value

The complexity of your roof, together with elements like steep slopes, a number of ranges, and quite a few obstructions, can even escalate the worth of set up.

Breakdown of a Pattern Estimate

A particular estimate particulars $176,600 for the photo voltaic parts and $29,600 for the elimination of the prevailing roof on a big, 8,313-square-foot property. Including non-compulsory Powerwall batteries prices an extra $10,500 every. Submit-tax credit from the federal authorities, the worth features a rebate of $48,800. The price with out batteries equates to about $12.87 per watt, although this might be influenced by the dimensions of the roof, as different estimates have proven decrease costs.

In Illinois, estimates for a Tesla Photo voltaic Roof with out batteries fluctuate between $5.72 and $6.54 per watt, contingent upon the intricacy of the roof. Equally, in Texas, the price is estimated to vary from $6.05 to $6.77 per watt. These figures surpass the 2021 nationwide common for residential photo voltaic installations, which was $3 per watt for an 8-kilowatt system.

Affect of Roof Measurement on Value

The scale of the roof has a major influence on the price. For a smaller roof in Illinois, measuring 1,594 sq. ft, the projected price after the federal tax credit score is estimated by Tesla to be between $54,000 and $58,148, or $3.78 to $4.05 per watt. Though that is nearer to the standard photo voltaic panel prices, it stays larger, with Tesla’s photo voltaic panels estimated at $2.54 per watt after tax credit score.

Upkeep and Regulatory Issues

Tesla advises periodic upkeep carried out by professionals, however specifics of this upkeep schedule will not be detailed.

Regulatory Scrutiny on Tesla’s Photo voltaic Practices

In December 2021, the Securities and Trade Fee (SEC) was reportedly investigating claims from a whistleblower relating to Tesla’s administration of photo voltaic panel replacements that have been a hearth hazard. The allegation was that whereas Tesla undertook replacements, it neither shut off methods in danger nor communicated transparently with shareholders or prospects concerning the subject. As of April, the SEC had not commented on the matter, and Tesla, missing a press workplace, didn’t subject a response.

Checking Tesla’s Availability and Inserting an Order

Figuring out Tesla’s Service Protection

To examine if Tesla’s providers can be found in your space, go to their website and input your address to receive an estimate. Whereas Tesla has aimed to increase its Photo voltaic Roof providers nationwide, some areas should be listed as unavailable for service. Tesla’s growth efforts embrace partnering with third-party contractors to achieve extra areas. If Tesla providers will not be instantly obtainable in your area, they might direct you to a licensed installer’s contact data or website.

Course of for Ordering a Tesla Photo Voltaic Roof

To provoke an order with Tesla, it’s worthwhile to arrange an account on their website. The corporate makes use of satellite TV for pc imagery to draft a preliminary design and supply a price estimate to your photo voltaic system. This estimate is topic to vary primarily based on an in-person go to by a Tesla consultant, who will assess particular elements comparable to roof complexity and dimensions.

Set up and Allowing

As soon as a system design is agreed upon, Tesla takes care of the required permits and schedules your set up. The corporate has a mixture of in-house groups and third-party installers to carry out the installations, aiming to accommodate the rising demand for his or her Photo voltaic Roof providers.

Is the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof Price It?

 

Evaluating Photo voltaic Choices

When considering a significant funding like a photo voltaic power system, it’s sensible to discover completely different suppliers, notably native ones that may supply extra aggressive charges than bigger, nationwide companies as a consequence of decrease operational prices. MySolarPerks is your native North Carolina photo voltaic installer. You probably have questions on switching to photo voltaic power, contact MySolarPerks. We’re pleased to assist and are devoted to supplying you with the perfect photo voltaic expertise. 

Whereas Tesla has lowered costs for its photo voltaic panel installations, the Photo voltaic Roof is exclusive and doesn’t lend itself to direct comparisons.

Private Preferences and Premium Pricing

The aesthetic enchantment of the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof may make it a worthwhile possibility when you choose its design over conventional photo voltaic panels, however it comes at the next price, which varies primarily based in your roof’s situation and design. The Photo voltaic Roof boasts high-quality parts and stable warranties, but different firms would possibly current a broader choice of panels, batteries, and inverters at a lower cost level, typically together with Tesla’s personal merchandise.

Market Options and Buyer Service Issues

Different producers, like GAF Vitality, have additionally launched photo voltaic shingles, doubtlessly providing comparable advantages at a decrease price. Tesla’s photo voltaic panel enterprise has encountered on-line criticism relating to customer support, though complete, dependable information on industry-wide customer support is just not available. Buyer experiences with Tesla fluctuate, with some expressing dissatisfaction with service regardless of financial savings, whereas others discover the trade-off acceptable.

Potential for Improved Buyer Service

With a smaller buyer base for the Photo voltaic Roof, it’s tough to gauge if Tesla’s customer support on this section differs from its photo voltaic panel providers. As Tesla goals to spice up Photo voltaic Roof installations amidst a declining market share in photo voltaic panels, there’s a risk that they might place the next emphasis on customer support for Photo voltaic Roof purchasers, although this stays speculative.

Tesla Photo voltaic Roof FAQ

How sturdy is the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof?

The lifespan of a photo voltaic roof can fluctuate relying on the make and set up high quality. Most are anticipated to final 20 to 30 years, aligning with the standard lifespan of conventional photo voltaic panels. The guarantee interval can be indicative of sturdiness; as an example, Tesla’s Photo voltaic Roof comes with a 25-year guarantee, suggesting confidence in its longevity.

Is there threat of leaks with the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof?

Improper set up of a photo voltaic roof can certainly result in leaks. To mitigate this threat, it’s essential to rent an skilled installer, notably one with a stable monitor document with Tesla Photo voltaic Roofs in your roof sort. Tesla backs its Photo voltaic Roof with a 25-year product guarantee in opposition to manufacturing defects and a 25-year weatherization guarantee that features wind and water injury, which may cowl potential leak-related points.

Does Tesla use subcontractors to put in the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof?

Tesla does have interaction licensed subcontractors for the set up of its photo voltaic roofs. These subcontractors are educated to fulfill Tesla’s requirements to make sure high quality and reliability in set up.