Tesla and SolarCity introduced the launch of the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof in 2016 with the expectation that it will grow to be the photo voltaic system of the long run. Quick-forward six years and persons are nonetheless confused about what precisely it’s and the way a lot it prices.
The confusion is warranted – Tesla adjustments their minds in regards to the Photo voltaic Roof extra usually than Elon Musk tweets (and that’s loads).
On this article, we’re eradicating the mysterious veil that hangs over the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof and explaining every little thing from the way it works and the way a lot it prices, as to whether or not it’s even value shopping for.
Tesla Photo voltaic Roof at a look:
- The Tesla Photo voltaic Roof integrates photo voltaic panels into common roof shingles so owners can generate solar energy on their roofs with out having to fret in regards to the look of their house being tainted by photo voltaic panels.
- Tesla estimates {that a} 6.14 kW Photo voltaic Roof will price a complete between $39,800 and $48,700 earlier than incentives for an average-sized roof, relying on its complexity.
- Tesla estimates {that a} 6.14 kW Photo voltaic Roof will price a complete between $39,800 and $48,700 earlier than incentives for an average-sized roof, relying on its complexity.
- The energetic Tesla Photo voltaic Roof shingles price $1.80 per watt, which is cheaper than the nationwide common price of photo voltaic.
- Tesla prices between $13.30 and $18.54 per sq. foot for non-solar roofing supplies.
- Whereas the Photo voltaic Roof seems to be good, it gained’t provide you with as a lot financial savings as conventional photo voltaic panels, and you need to cope with Tesla’s unreliable service for 25+ years.
What’s the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof?
One of many greatest points owners have with photo voltaic panels is how they give the impression of being. As a response, in 2016, Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduced Tesla Power’s new product – the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof – on the set of then-popular tv collection Determined Housewives of all locations (that ought to have given us some type of indication that the Tesla roof was most likely going to be all for present).
The Photo voltaic Roof was designed to perform like photovoltaic photo voltaic panels whereas seamlessly integrating right into a roof. This manner, owners might nonetheless take pleasure in the advantages of photo voltaic vitality, like electrical invoice financial savings and utilizing clear vitality, with out having to sacrifice their house’s aesthetics.
With the intention to get a uniform look, a house’s complete roof is changed with Tesla shingles. Not all of those shingles will generate electrical energy (we get into that a bit of later), however the entire roof can be lined in Tesla model shingles. Tesla Photo voltaic Roofs typically embody three items of apparatus: energetic photo voltaic shingles, inactive shingles, and a Tesla photo voltaic inverter.
How a lot does a Tesla Photo voltaic Roof price?
You’ll be able to anticipate to spend anyplace from $35,000 to upwards of $70,000 for the set up of a Tesla Photo voltaic Roof. With that stated, there’s loads that goes into the price, making it a bit difficult to determine what precisely you’re being charged for and why.
And if we’re being sincere, the way in which Tesla shows the pricing line gadgets generally is a bit difficult to navigate. That’s why we’ve damaged down what elements affect the value and clarify what precisely you’re paying for.
Breaking down the value of Tesla’s Photo voltaic Roof
Tesla Photo voltaic Roof methods are designed solely with Tesla-exclusive tools. The full price of a Photo voltaic Roof set up consists of three primary elements:
- Lively photo voltaic shingles
- Inactive shingles
- Roof tear off
Right here’s the breakdown of how every considered one of these contributes to the ultimate worth:
1. Lively photo voltaic shingles
Price: $1.80 per watt
Tesla’s energetic photo voltaic shingles are tempered glass shingles that include photo voltaic cells and generate electrical energy.
It prices about $1.80 per watt to put in the energetic Photo voltaic Roof tiles. In case you put in a 7 kilowatt (kW) Tesla Photo voltaic Roof, the energetic shingles alone would price $12,600 earlier than any incentives are thought-about. The larger the photo voltaic system you want, the upper the whole worth can be.
Common photo voltaic panels price round $3.00 per watt on common, so the photo voltaic portion of the Tesla roof is technically cheaper than photo voltaic panels.
Every energetic shingle is 15” by 45”, and designed to have an analogous look to slate shingles. In line with Electrek, Tesla’s photo voltaic shingles are 71.67 watts in measurement, that means you’d want about 5 shingles to supply the identical quantity of energy as one 370-watt photo voltaic panel. Nonetheless, Tesla doesn’t record any official energy scores or efficiency specs on their web site.
2. Inactive shingles / non-Photo voltaic Roofing supplies
Price: $13.30 per sq. foot – $18.54 per sq. foot
The subsequent portion of your Photo voltaic Roof price is form of a mashup of simply “normal roofing supplies” like underlayment and inactive shingles. After we say “inactive shingles”, we’re speaking about all the shingles on the roof that don’t produce electrical energy. The inactive shingles are designed to look identical to the energetic photo voltaic shingles so you’ll be able to’t distinguish one from the opposite after they’re in your roof.
Primarily based on the common roof measurement of 1,700 sq. toes, you’ll be able to anticipate the inactive shingles and roofing supplies to price between $22,610 and $31,520. The worth you pay will rely upon the scale of your roof and the way complicated it’s.
Tesla divides roofs into three totally different complexity tiers, and every comes with its personal obscure set of standards:
| Complexity tier | Value | Roof stage | Mounting aircraft crowding | Obstructions (chimneys, skylights, and so on) | Pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | $13.38 / sq. foot | Single stage | Uncrowded | Few | Low |
| Intermediate | $15.30 / sq. foot | Multi-level* | Extra crowded | Extra |
Larger
|
| Complicated | $18.54 / sq. foot | Multi-level* | Closely crowded | Many | Steep |
*Multi-level roofs have roofing sections on multiple story of the home (i.e. the primary roof and a porch roof)
Like we stated, it’s extremely obscure standards. Tesla offers no definition as to what a baseline ‘uncrowded’ mounting aircraft is, or what ‘few obstructions’ may imply, so it’s tough to determine how your roof can be labeled till you place an order with Tesla.
Tesla prices fairly a bit for his or her roofing materials, as nicely. Usually, you’ll be able to exchange an asphalt shingle roof for round $7.00 per sq. foot. There are even metal roofing choices which might be cheaper than what Tesla’s charging.
So, until you’re selecting to go along with an ultra-premium roofing materials, you’ll be able to most likely exchange it for cheaper than what Tesla is providing.
3. Roof tear off
Price: $3.53 per sq. foot
Tesla additionally prices for the removing of your present roofing materials. For an average-sized roof, it will price about $6,100. Nonetheless, you may be capable to skip this price in case your present roof is made from 3-tab asphalt shingles which might be lower than 3/8 inches thick and are in good situation. If so, the photo voltaic shingles will be put in proper over the shingles already in your roof.
However different varieties of roofing supplies like architectural asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, or concrete tiles should be fully eliminated earlier than Tesla can set up their photo voltaic shingles.
That is an extremely excessive worth in terms of a roof tear off price; asphalt shingles price nearly $0.55 per square foot to take away and eliminate. Even slate roofing, one of the crucial costly roofing materials choices, solely prices about $1.63 per sq. foot on common to take away.
Does the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof qualify for the federal photo voltaic tax credit score? Sure! Prices related to the energetic photo voltaic shingle portion of the roof qualify for the 26% photo voltaic tax credit score. So, in case your complete roof set up is $40,000, however solely $10,000 of it went in the direction of the set up of the energetic shingles, the tax credit score would solely apply to that $10,000.
How a lot does a Tesla Photo voltaic Roof price in comparison with photo voltaic panels?
The full set up price of a Tesla Photo voltaic Roof goes to be a lot greater than that of a conventional photo voltaic panel set up. Nonetheless, the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof additionally features a roof replacement. So, whenever you issue within the worth of each a roof alternative and common photo voltaic panels, the totals come out to be nearer than you may anticipate.
The simplest technique to evaluate these prices is with an instance. Let’s say you personal a house in California that has a easy, 1,700 sq. foot roof and makes use of about 9,300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electrical energy in a yr.
The Tesla Photo voltaic Roof on this instance will price $39,762, earlier than incentives, whereas the traditional photo voltaic set up and roof alternative will price simply $29,485.
To cowl a 9,300 kWh electrical energy utilization, Tesla recommends putting in a 6.14 kW photo voltaic system that may price $39,762 to put in, earlier than incentives. Of that price, $11,052 could be for energetic photo voltaic shingles, $6,100 could be to tear off your present roof, and $22,610 would exchange your roof.
You’d solely want 5.55 kW of typical photo voltaic panels to cowl 9,300 kWh electrical energy utilization, costing about $16,650 earlier than incentives. Now we have to take into account the prices for a conventional roof alternative. A roof tear off would solely price about $935, whereas a roof alternative with architectural asphalt shingles would price about $11,900.
While you tally all that up, the traditional photo voltaic set up and roof alternative would price about $29,485. Meaning you save a bit of over $10,000 by going the normal route versus choosing the Photo voltaic Roof. In fact, there are a ton of things that go into this, like what sort of roofing materials you’re utilizing, your electrical energy utilization, and the scale of your roof.
Do you need to set up a Tesla Powerwall with the Photo voltaic Roof?
No, you would not have to put in a Tesla Powerwall battery with the Photo voltaic Roof. The price of the Powerwall house battery can be included within the preliminary estimate you see from Tesla’s web site, however you’ll be able to take away the vitality storage possibility out of your order.
In case you do select to put in the Tesla Powerwall, it is going to price an extra $11,000.
How lengthy does the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof final?
Tesla’s photo voltaic shingles are designed with sturdiness in thoughts and have a Class 3 hail score, the second highest score accessible, in addition to the best fireplace score doable.
Plus, the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof is roofed by a 25-year product guarantee, a 25-year module guarantee, and a 25-year weatherization guarantee. So, identical to conventional photo voltaic panels, you’ll be able to anticipate the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof to final at the least 25 years.
The 25-year product guarantee exceeds photo voltaic business requirements, with most photo voltaic panels providing between 10 and 12-year product warranties. The 25-year module guarantee covers the energetic photo voltaic shingles and provides you an thought of how a lot energy the shingles will present you as they age. This guarantee falls proper according to photo voltaic business requirements – it’s not dangerous, however it’s nothing spectacular both.
The weatherization guarantee is designed to cowl the ‘roofing’ side of the Photo voltaic Roof. Like most shingle warranties, it’s prorated, that means how a lot is roofed will depend on how lengthy you’ve had the roof. You’ll be able to most likely discover shingle warranties on the market that present a bit of extra protection than Tesla’s, however it’s not horrible.
The Tesla Powerwall is roofed by a separate 10-year guarantee.
What measurement Tesla Photo voltaic Roof do you want?
The scale of the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof you’ll want will depend on your vitality utilization and the place you reside. The traits of your roof can even play a job in how a lot photo voltaic you’ll want.
The next tables offers a tough estimate of how a lot owners in several states might pay for a Photo voltaic Roof so as to cowl the common electrical invoice in that state:
| State | Common electrical invoice | Photo voltaic Roof measurement | Tesla Photo voltaic Roof set up price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $130 | 5.32 kW | $44,500 |
| Texas | $140 | 11.63 kW | $38,300 |
| Florida | $140 | 10.11 kW | $46,900 |
| North Carolina | $120 | 8.04 kW | $43,200 |
| Arizona | $140 | 8.13 kW | $43,300 |
| Nevada | $120 | 7.49 kW | $42,200 |
| Georgia | $130 | 9.35 kW | $45,500 |
| New Jersey | $110 | 7.53 kW | $42,300 |
| Virginia | $130 | 12.53 kW | $51,300 |
| Massachusetts | $150 | 7.82 kW | $42,800 |
*Primarily based on a easy complexity 1,700 sq. foot roof earlier than incentives
How a lot are you able to save with the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof?
You’ll be able to remove all or most of your month-to-month electrical energy invoice with a Tesla Photo voltaic Roof, identical to you’ll be able to with photo voltaic panels. There could also be some stipulations although, like what sort of web metering program your utility provides and the scale of your roof.
Though you’ll be able to doubtlessly eliminate your electrical energy invoice, you even have to consider how a lot you’re saving in comparison with how a lot you paid for the system. Think about the instance from earlier – the 6.14 kW Photo voltaic Roof in California, which might prevent a bit of over $50,000 over its 25-year lifespan, breaking even after about 17 years.
The normal 5.55 kW photo voltaic system, however, would prevent $64,000 over 25 years and have a payback interval of round 5 years.
The Tesla Photo voltaic Roof payback interval takes all the set up under consideration, together with the non-solar portion, as a result of you don’t have any selection however to get all the roof alternative. However even in the event you checked out simply the photo voltaic portion, the energetic shingles would break even after 7 years. 7 years is a good payback interval, however it’s nonetheless longer than it will be in the event you simply received common photo voltaic panels.
Is the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof value it?
We’re going to chop to the chase – for most householders, the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof isn’t a worthwhile funding. Putting in conventional photo voltaic panels goes to be cheaper, irrespective of the way you slice it. Even in the event you additionally want a brand new roof, Tesla’s roofing materials and removing prices are so excessive that until you had been already planning on getting a premium roof put in, it’s going to be dearer than it must be.
Even in eventualities the place the value of a Photo voltaic Roof is aggressive, we’re not so certain it’s the suitable technique to go photo voltaic. For one factor, Tesla is infamous for having subpar customer support in terms of their vitality division. You’ll be able to see for your self in Tesla’s buyer critiques right here on SolarReviews. Folks have reported ready weeks to listen to again from their Tesla advisors if there is a matter with their system.
Tesla can also be extraordinarily unreliable. Regardless of being launched in 2016, Tesla didn’t begin putting in Photo voltaic Roofs till 2018, and it’s nonetheless unknown what number of have really been put in. Then in mid-2020, Tesla began canceling Solar Roof preoders after owners had paid their deposits – claiming the websites weren’t inside their service territory. And never lengthy after, Tesla modified the costs of Photo voltaic Roof installations for owners who already signed contracts. In case you can’t even belief that they’ll honor their contract – what are you able to belief them about?
The underside line is even when the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof can appear to be a aggressive possibility for these seeking to change to photo voltaic in concept, in actuality it raises some fairly huge purple flags. Earlier than you dive headfirst right into a $40,000+ cope with Tesla, you must take into account getting quotes from photo voltaic installers in your space for typical photo voltaic methods. You’ll be able to even take into account different photo voltaic shingle manufacturers, like the brand new photo voltaic roof product from roofing large GAF.
Respected native photo voltaic installers will be capable to offer you a extra personalised set up expertise, and can be there to help you for the 25-year lifespan of your system.
