solar shingle product called Tesla Solar Roof. With Tesla’s reputation as a leader in technology, the Solar Roof received a lot of hype. Four years later, Tesla officially mass-produced the Solar Roof in 2020.
With increased availability, the Tesla Solar Roof still receives much attention, and many homeowners wonder if the Tesla Solar Roof is worth applying to their homes. Some homeowners do not even know what the Tesla Solar Roof is, and that’s what we are here for.
At the most basic level, the Tesla Solar Roof consists of solar shingles or small solar panel tiles that make up the entire roof surface.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of the Tesla Solar Roof and if it is worth installing, we will first explain what makes a solar panel and what they mean for home roofs.
Tesla Solar Roof vs Solar Panels
- Tesla Solar becomes the roof
- Special installation process
- Usually requires roof replacement
Compared to other solar panels, the Tesla Solar Roof differs because it comes with solar panels AND a roof. The Tesla Solar Roof also requires specific installation processes and has different power capabilities.
Since the Tesla Solar Roof consists of solar panels and a roof, the installation process is more invasive than traditional solar panel installation. The installation process is a major downside for some potential buyers since replacing a roof is expensive, on top of an already costly solar panel system.
The Tesla Solar Roof usually requires a roof to be replaced since it acts as a custom fit to your home. Once the product is installed in your home, you cannot move it, compared to other solar panel systems that offer much mobility.
Tesla Solar Roof Cost
- Costs unique to particular home
- Location influences cost
- Type of original roof influences cost
- State and company tax incentives affect cost
- Choice of Tesla Solar Roof affects cost
The Tesla Solar Roof cost depends on a lot of factors. The complexity of your original roof, the costs of a roof replacement, and tax incentives based on location combine to calculate a home’s unique total.
To put this in perspective, another article by Forbes estimated that, “a two-story, 2,000 square foot, 11.28 kW Solar Roof costs over $55,300 before incentives, assuming you’re replacing the original roof.”
The Tesla Solar Roof pricing is difficult to break down and relies heavily on individual situations. On the offhand, the Tesla Solar Roof seems cheaper since Tesla Solar Panels cost less per watt compared to traditional solar panels.
However, it gets expensive when considering the complicated installation of the Tesla Solar Roof. Additionally, all purchasers of the roof must also buy a Powerwall, a backup battery system that stores solar energy.
In the case of a power outage, the system detects outages and recharges your electric needs with the storage.
Why is Tesla solar so cheap?
Upfront, the Tesla Solar Roof seems cheap. Tesla Solar panels are indeed cheaper on a per watt basis. This has to do with the company’s simple ordering process and the fact that Tesla and Elon Musk are big names in innovative industries.
More specifically, the order process for Tesla Solar Roof is online, and they only offer 4 roofing sizes, which eliminates costs even more.
Does Tesla’s solar price include installation?
Yes, Tesla does consider the installation price of the roof in the final cost online. The installation process is where things start to get expensive.
The cost of the Tesla Solar Roof depends on how much energy your home uses, the size of the roof, the complexity of your roof, and sometimes even the age of your roof.
Tesla’s design team determines these details and may have you purchase other roof upgrades.
So, is Tesla’s solar roof cheaper than other Solar Panels?
It entirely depends. Yes, the per watt value is cheaper than other Solar Panels, but if you have to replace the entirety of your roof, traditional solar panels are probably the cheaper option for you.
Tesla Solar Roof Tiles
- Grade steel tiles
- Glass solar tiles
- Glass roofing tiles
- Mimic traditional tiles trim and color
Tesla markets the Solar Roof tiles as identical to traditional roof tiles. The roof combines architectural grade steel tiles, glass solar tiles, and glass roofing tiles. Altogether each tile looks similar to traditional roofs in both trim and color.
Compared to other solar panel tiles, Tesla Solar Roof Tiles are cheaper than the national average of solar panel tiles.
Is Tesla Solar Roof a good investment?
When considering the Tesla Solar Roof and its extravagant pricing, this question is one of the most frequently asked by homeowners.
As we have seen, research shows that any solar panel roof saves homeowners money and increases the sale price of homes in the long run. However, is the Tesla Solar Roof also a good investment in the long run?
In short, the Tesla Solar Roof is a great investment for some people, as are other solar panel roofs. The Tesla Solar Roof offsets utility bill costs, builds equity, lasts forever, and increases home value.
How long does it take a Tesla roof to pay for itself?
Tesla claims that the solar roof pays for itself over time. The company made a statement on calculations claiming that the solar roof provides annual savings of almost $2400. Over the 30 year lifetime of the roof, over $70,000 will be saved after installation.
How long will a Tesla solar roof last?
The longevity and quality of the Tesla Solar Roof make the roof very investable.
All solar panel roofs are more durable than traditional roofs. The material that makes solar panels are more durable than shingles. Solar panel materials fare well in storms and against hail and water damage.
- The Tesla Solar Roof is no different, and the company claims that the roof has a lifetime of about 30 years.
- Tesla Energy offers a 25-year warranty on the roof that covers installation, materials, parts, labor, and virtually all roof components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the following FAQs for more information on the Tesla Solar Roof.
Can a Tesla roof power a house?
The Tesla Solar Roof will power a house. With the Powerwall, solar roof tiles, and solar panels, homeowners can live off the electric grid and solely rely on the Tesla Solar Roof.
How much does Tesla Solar Roof produce?
The Tesla Solar Roof’s power output depends on location, roof, and installation type. Tesla’s latest tiles produce 71.67 watts of power, a 22% increase in max power output.
Does Tesla solar roof increase home value?
The Tesla Solar Roof will increase home value like any other solar-powered roof. A study by Zillow found that a solar roof increases home value by 4.1% compared to homes that do not have a solar roof.
How long will a Tesla solar roof last?
All solar panel roofs are more durable than traditional roofs. The material that makes solar panels are more durable than shingles. Solar panel materials fare well in storms and against hail and water damage.
The Tesla Solar Roof is no different, and the company claims that the roof has a lifetime of about 30 years.
Tesla Energy offers a 25-year warranty on the roof that covers installation, materials, parts, labor, and virtually all roof components.
Is it harder to sell a house with solar panels?
- Not more difficult to sell
- Homes may sell faster
- Cheaper in the long run
Many studies have found that it is not more difficult to sell a house that has solar panels. In fact, homes with solar panels may even be more appealing to potential buyers. According to a study done by the Berkeley Lab, home buyers were willing to spend up to 15 thousand dollars more on a house that had solar panels.
Additionally, some studies even show that homes may sell faster with solar panels. For example, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducted a study in 2010 that found that homes with solar panels sell 20% faster and 17% more than regularly powered homes.
The reason? Homes that use solar energy prove cheap in the long run.
Solar panels require much less maintenance because of their durability compared to traditional roofs. Solar panel systems also reduce utility bills significantly, sometimes eliminating them.
In addition, some states, cities, and power companies provide tax incentives for those that use solar energy, and on average solar panels increase a home’s value.
Do solar panels increase homeowners insurance?
- Solar increases property value
- Insurance coverage may need to be increased
It depends, but generally, insurance covers solar panels on your roof and increases property value. According to Forbes Magazine, the total cost of homeowner’s insurance relies on the value of your property. The calculation includes the property in its entirety, including home improvements like solar panels.
The coverage your home had before installing solar panels on your home will likely not be enough to cover a solar panel add-on.
Do solar panels ruin your roof?
No, solar panels will not ruin your roof. Typically, solar panels will not damage any part of your home’s infrastructure, especially if a professional install them properly.
Tesla Solar Roof Review
Overall, the Tesla Solar Roof does not differ much from other solar-powered systems. The Tesla Solar Roof has received much attention since Elon Musk and Tesla are so popular in the media.
The unique part about the Tesla Solar Roof is that it combines roof shingles and solar panels into one system. Tesla Solar Roof adds a unique and modern look to any home, and some buyers may prefer it.
Since the process of installing the Tesla Solar Roof is potentially complicated, only invest in the Tesla Solar Roof if you do not plan on moving any time soon to ensure you receive maximum financial returns.
The roof may not be worth it if your home does not get enough sun exposure, or your state, city, or power company does not provide any tax incentive. Additionally, it may not be worth it if you do not have a high electric bill as is, and installing a roof requires you to invest in a roof replacement.
So, is the Tesla Solar Roof Worth it?
A Tesla solar roof is worth it based on the current cost of electricity and the initial upfront cost. This is for a homeowner staying in the property for 20 or more years in a location suitable for the roof.
The return on investment depends on each potential buyer’s circumstances.
Study after study shows that installing a solar panel system increases home value, saves large amounts of money on energy, makes selling your home easier, and provides users with generous tax incentives.
Remember, solar panels rely on sun exposure, and if you live in a region that does not receive much sunlight and shading trees cover your home, it may not be a good investment for you.
A huge appeal of installing solar panel systems is the tax incentives. All homes receive some type of federal tax credit if they have solar panels. Some cities, power companies, and states offer even more incentives.
However, some do not offer any sort of financial incentive, reducing the amount you benefit from a solar roof.
Compatability
Certain roofs are not compatible with solar power systems, and this is especially true for the Tesla Solar Roof. Older homes and homes that have heavily tiled roofs do not fare well with solar panel systems.
Additionally, homes that are not facing ideal directions for sun exposure and homes that have large skylights do not work well with solar energy.
If you have low costs for electricity, it also may not be worth it for you to invest in a Tesla Solar Roof. If your annual electric bills are small, it will take longer for your Tesla Solar Roof to pay for itself.
Considering how expensive installing the Tesla Solar Roof is, it may not be worth it if you do not use much electricity.
Make sure you do your research before investing in the Tesla Solar Roof. The roof must be worth it for your financial situation in the long run. Consider downfalls that counteract the potential upsides of the Tesla Solar Roof.
