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How Much Does The Tesla Roof Cost

Learn How Much Solar Can Save You Today Before You Make Your Decision

Tesla Solar Roof Costs

Just as Tesla doesnt make electric vehicles for the masses, Teslas solar roof isnt feasible for every home. In many ways, the companys solar roof product is similar to its first electric car. If you are an early adopter of newer technologies, dont care about price, and are prepared to wait for a product with an uncertain manufacturing timeline, then waiting for Teslas solar roof could be the right decision for you.

However, there are always risks associated with installing newer technology, especially when Teslas solar roof lacks so much transparency. Unlike Teslas solar shingles, many of the premium solar panels currently available on the market today are sold 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 the solar roof. 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 as of now, the federal investment tax credit for solar will be lowered to 22 percent in 2023.

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.

Additional Costs And Upgrades

Depending on the current infrastructure present in your home, Tesla mentions that it may be necessary to perform additional upgrades during installation. This includes services such as extra electrical work or installation of a Solar Roof on a shed or deck. Prices are quoted directly to you upon inspection, but it is important to note that they are not included in the Solar Roof calculator estimate.

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Tesla Solar Roof: What Is It

Tesla is perhaps best known as an electric car manufacturer, but its website describes its mission as much broader: âTeslaâs mission is to accelerate the worldâs transition to sustainable energy.â

In October 2016, Musk demonstrated its vision of a âhouse of the futureâ on the set of Desperate Housewives. It showed a Tesla Model 3 electric sedan in the garage. The homeâs roof was covered in Solar Roof tiles, a roof with a mix of solar and non-solar âdummy tiles.â The two tiles are designed to look identical, meaning it looks like a regular roof to the untrained eye.

The house was completed with a Powerwall battery, which stored energy from the tiles so the house could run from clean energy even when the sunâs not shining.

The Solar Roof was relatively rare after its unveiling, bar a smattering of installs in early 2018. That changed in October 2019, when the company unveiled its third-generation tiles designed for faster installation times.

Financing Options Through Tesla Solar

Here

There are two main ways to pay for your Tesla Solar energy system: Cash or solar loan. By choosing cash, you will immediately own your system and pay the full system cost upfront. By taking on a loan, youll still own your solar power system, but you can pay in monthly installments.

According to Teslas website, the monthly loan payment for solar is often lower than your monthly energy bill, so you could see immediate savings.

Heres what each financing option includes at a glance:

Cash Purchase
Solar Installer Loan Provider

If youre wondering whats the best way to pay for solar panels, check out our solar financing guide. Its full of information on solar payment options and recommendations tailored to your needs.

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Lets Examine The Estimates Found On The Internet

1. Motley Fool

A columnist for Motley Fool has made calculations to predict how solar shingles compare to a traditional roof. He estimates that based on a manufacturing cost of $ 0.30 per shingle is comparable to ceramic or concrete tiles. But be aware that the installation costs are extra: Tesla says that the cost price is $ 3 per watt installed (meaning $ 5880 per 100 square feet or $ 176,400 for a standard 3,000 square feet house.

2. Consumer Reports

Have developed a calculation including anticipated savings in electricity in order to be competitive with a traditional roof they determined that a maximum expenditure of $ 73,500 would be necessary in order to be competitive with asphalt shingle roofing, one of the least expensive solutions. According to information provided by roofing installation associations, and assuming an average house with a 3,000 square foot roof, the total cost of this asphalt shingle roof would be approximately $ 20,000. They then added an annual cost invoice of $ 2,000 in their calculation , and the life of the shingles being 30 years as stated by Tesla. After thirty years, savings are expected to rise to around $ 60,000. When the Powerwall, which is part of the installation of the electricity storage system for non-solarized moments, and which costs $ 6,500, the savings would be reduced to $ 53,500.

3. Energysage

A Cost Comparison To Other Solar Shingles On The Market

The Tesla Solar Roof is not an entirely new concept. Other companies have tried the solar shingle / solar tile concept before. Some have failed, and some are still on the market. One of the prominent efforts to peter out was Dow Chemicals Powerhouse Solar System, which lasted five years. It was the leading product for a time, but failed to sustain its business with consumers.

The Powerhouse system is frequently cited by business leaders as a reason that the solar shingle market hasnt seen a boom, and also justification behind those in the industry who are skeptical of Musks claims to be able to drive the Tesla solar roof product line.

Other companies are still moving forward with solar shingle production and installation, but all are difficult to find costs on. It is important to remember that the companies below integrate their solar shingles and tiles with traditional roofing material, and the Tesla solar tiles will cover the entire rooffully replacing it.

This provides an added value in the form of fully avoiding the costs of a normal roof, while Teslas competitors would still require you to cover much of your roof with normal shingles at your own cost in addition to the price of their systems.

Dow Chemical

While now out of business, its worth looking at this company because there is information out there about the expense. The Powerhouse system didnt cover the entire roof. Instead, it came in large sets of shingles that were set in alongside real roofing.

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How Can I Save Money On Solar Roof Tiles

Enrol in the Smart Export Guarantee .

While the governments Feed-In Tariff has been revoked for new applicants as of April 2019, which previously saw incentives paid to homeowners who included renewable and low-carbon electricity generation in their homes, the scheme has since been replaced with the Smart Export Guarantee as of January 2020.

This initiative from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is a way to provide small-scale generators of renewable electricity payment for any energy they export to the national grid.

While the following information relates to energy bill savings when paired with solar panels, not roof tiles, the information can relate to the predicted savings seen by solar roof tile installation.

The Energy Savings Trust has a clear breakdown of how much you save using solar panels with and without the SEG. They estimate that homeowners who are in their houses all day can save up to £505 per year with the SEG, while theyll save up to £415 per year without SEG enrolment. Those who are out all day until 6 pm can see savings of up to £295 per year with SEG sign up, and £170 without SEG contributions.

Taking a DIY route with household renovations is usually a surefire way to cut costs in labour and reduce your overall project bill, but when it comes to solar roof tiles, we would advise against installing the tiles yourself as its a complex job.

Tesla Solar Review In 2022

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

Heres what well cover in this guide:

  • The various solar products Tesla offers
  • The factors that determine which product is best for you
  • How much Tesla solar products cost

Why You Can Trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other solar site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites.

It likely comes as no surprise that the worlds best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer is also one of the top solar companies in the U.S. Tesla solar products like the Solar Roof and Powerwall have made a name for themselves in the renewable energy industry, and in this article, well dive into whether theyre really worth the hype.

Read on to learn more about Tesla solar panels, the Tesla Solar Roof system and the Tesla Powerwall solar battery.

  • Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

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Could A Solar Roof Be Right For Your Home

If you are planning a roof replacement or a new build then there is a definite argument for considering a solar roof, but the difficulty may be in finding a UK company able to supply and fit solar tiles. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to solar roof tiles which allow you to generate your own renewable electricity.

How Much Are Tesla Solar Roof Tiles

See below table for a cost breakdown of Teslas new solar slates:

Home Square Footage
$49,800 or £38,300 $71,300 or £54,830

Tesla themselves acknowledge that the upfront cost of a solar roof is likely to be more expensive than a standard roof replacement, but they argue that the return on your investment over time in terms of energy savings can offset this. And, they add, you get a ‘beautiful new roof that also increases the value of your home’.

In May 2017, the Tesla Solar Roof Tile became available to preorder in the UK for a deposit. However, nearly over three years later, Tesla continues to delay an official launch and is evasive about committing to dates. Many in the industry and media remain highly skeptical of whether or not the Tesla solar roof will ever become a reality.

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So Is Tesla The Best Solar Roof

Most manufacturers of solar shingles operate in the same general way they mount directly to roof sheathing for a low-profile and reasonably seamless look, and they kind of integrate with existing roofing materials. The prices vary between manufacturers, as do the warranties, but yes, we have a favorite. None of these solar roof competitors listed above compare to the Tesla warranty or appearance. A Tesla Solar Roof is at first view the most expensive solar roof option, but again, youre talking apples and oranges.

So How Much Does A Tesla Solar Roof Cost After The Recent Price Hike

Hereâs How Much a Tesla Solar Roof Will Cost You

The current price per square foot of Tesla Solar Roof is roughly 50% higher. Even the price of Tesla Powerwall batteries has increased by 30%, which has little to do with the actual complexity of the roof.

For, a typical house with a 2,000 square feet roof of average complexity, a new Tesla Solar Roof will cost between $60,000 and $70,000 to install before the 26% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credits. Adding a Tesla Powerwall battery to the solar tile roof will cost you an additional $10,500.

Thus, with a single battery storage bank, you are looking at approximately $70,000 to $80,000 for a new Tesla Solar Roof. The total cost includes system design, building permits, and connection to the local power grid by a licensed electrician.

That said, the actual estimate for a Tesla Solar Roof will depend heavily on the overall complexity of the roof including things like the number of chimneys, dormers, and valleys, the number of layers of old shingles, condition of the roof deck, etc.

For larger and more complex roofs, the upfront cost can easily exceed $100,000 for a new Tesla Solar Roof with multiple battery packs, before the Tax Credits and local incentives.

All in all, we estimate the current cost of a Tesla Solar Tile Roof to be between $30 and $40 per square foot installed. This price includes the removal and disposal of the old roof, installation of the Tesla solar glass tiles, and the accompanying Tesla Powerwall battery.

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How Much Do Tesla Solar Panels Cost

Unlike many other solar companies, Tesla has simplified the whole process of buying panels by creating set price packages. Rather than being able to buy one or two panels, users have to buy bundles for their roofs.

The set prices for these bundles are:

System size

Data from Forbes, 2021

Clearly, not everyone can afford these solar tiles.

Readers should also bear in mind that these are cost estimates the real price might be even higher. For example, the New York Times spoke to one customer who received an initial estimate of $60,000 for their roof, but then received a final quote of $112,000 .

However, Elon Musk Teslas CEO states that these prices will pay off in the long run. And since the tiles are three times stronger than normal tiles, you shouldnt have to deal with many repairs.

To help with the initial cost, users can also look into Teslas solar loan system, where they can make monthly loan payments. The following table outlines the estimated monthly payments for Teslas different solar system sizes:

System size

Tesla Solar Costs And Financing

Tesla offers a price-match guarantee and affordable financing options for its solar panels. You can choose to pay for your Tesla Solar system with cash upfront or by taking on a solar loan through the company. Tesla does not offer solar leases.

At the time of this publication, a Tesla solar system can vary in cost from $11,840 for 8.2 kW of standard solar panels to $22,200 for 16.3 kW .

A Tesla Solar Roof will have a higher price tag, typically in the ballpark of $30,000 to $90,000.

A Tesla Powerwall will be about $8,500 to $10,500 per 13.5 kWh battery. These costs represent a wide range of system sizes, local geographies, available tax incentives and more.

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Tesla Solar Roof: Is The Sleekest Solar Option Your Best One

It looks just like a roof.

Andrew Blok

Andrew Blok is an associate editor at CNET covering home energy with a focus on solar. He helps people make smart energy decisions with explainers and reviews to navigate the changing energy landscape. He’s a graduate of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State. He watches birds in western Michigan.

Tesla’s Solar Roof generates solar electricity while looking mostly like a regular roof.

Homeowners are adding solar panels to their rooftops at an increasing rate. As solar installation prices continue to fall, analysts expect adoption to speed up, especially as long as the federal solar tax credit sticks around.

Tesla made its biggest inroads into this market when it purchased SolarCity back in 2016 and boosted its solar installation capacity. It’s now one of the largest solar installers in the United States. But beyond its traditional solar panel installations, which are some of the cheapest in the industry, Tesla offers Solar Roof, which replaces a traditional roof with shingles that generate electricity.

The company’s hope is that customers will pay a bit of a premium to generate solar power without looking like it. If you’re bothered by the look of solar panels and are replacing your roof already, Solar Roof might be an option to consider. If the look of solar panels doesn’t bother you and you’re looking for the most energy for your money, Tesla’s Solar Roof might be more money than it’s worth.

Tesla Solar Panels Vs Tesla Solar Roof

Raise the roof: Tesla’s solar may cost you less

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.

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