Solar roofs are rapidly becoming the most popular way of bringing solar power to your home. Unlike traditional solar panels, a solar roof has solar shingles that function as a roof and an energy collector.
Luma and Tesla are two of the most popular solar roof providers, and in this article, I will compare the two of them so you can find the best option for your home.
Here are some of the key points that I’ll cover, plus more you’ll need to know;
- Are solar roofs a good investment?
- The cost of Luma and Tesla solar roofs
- The Efficiency and Longevity of Luma and Tesla Solar Roofs
- Pros and Cons of each company
- Details and Specs of solar roofs
Keep reading to learn everything you need about Luma and Tesla solar roofs and be ready for the future of energy.
Luma vs. Tesla
Luma and Tesla are two of the most popular solar roof companies in the United States. However, they have different backgrounds.
Luma Solar is not as well known as Tesla, but the company has been around longer and is one of the pioneers of solar energy in America.
Luma has the distinction of developing the first solar roof system in the US more than ten years ago. Since then, they have installed solar roofs on hundreds of thousands of homes across the USA.
On the other hand, Tesla is one of the most visible brands in the world. Tesla is better known for its electric cars like the Model 3 but has also branched into other green energy solutions, including their solar roof and Powerwalls for energy storage.
If you are interested in a Tesla solar roof, the Tesla website has a calculator that you can use to estimate how many kilowatt-hours your home needs and how much it will cost to install a roof based on your roof.
Are Solar Roofs a Good Investment?
Solar roofs are an excellent investment if your house is in the correct location. For a solar roof to be a good investment, your home must receive ample sunlight so the solar system can maximize its productivity.
Additionally, a homeowner should consider the cost of electricity in their area vs. the cost of installing a solar roof.
In addition to considering the cost of energy, a homeowner should consider any tax breaks available at the federal and state level. Installing a solar roof is expensive, but these tax breaks can help offset these costs.
Some fixed costs should be taken into consideration when installing a solar roof. The solar roof will require regular maintenance, and you will still have to pay for an electricity bill, even if you are supplying energy to the grid.
See also: Tesla Solar Panel Review (Specs – Is It Worth It?)
The Green Consideration
However, there are other aspects that a homeowner should consider before installing a solar roof. Beyond the dollars and cents, the environment should be considered. Solar roofs are a great way of providing your home with renewable energy.
You are also reducing your carbon footprint by decreasing your dependency on fossil fuels. This will result in less pollution and cleaner air. The environmental impact of a solar roof should also factor into your decision.
Other Benefits
In addition to potentially saving you money and helping the environment, solar roofs also have other benefits. A solar roof will give you energy independence from the grid and ensure access to energy, even if there are blackouts or some kind of disruption.
Additionally, solar roofs will increase the value of your home by 3-4%. This increase in value could cover many of the costs associated with a solar roof.
There are many benefits to installing a solar roof on your home, both financial and environmental. A homeowner should consider all of them before making a decision.
Luma Solar Roof Vs. Tesla: Cost
Tesla is the clear winner in this category. Tesla solar roofs come in at $2.11 per installed watt. Meanwhile, Luma solar roofs are more than twice the cost at $4.50 per installed watt.
However, there is a significant consideration that the price cannot measure. Tesla solar roofs are an all-or-nothing option. You have to get your entire roof replaced by a tesla solar roof.
This means that even if your house needs half a roof’s worth of solar panels, you still need to replace your entire roof.
Meanwhile, Luma solar roofs are a more flexible design. You can get a complete Luma solar roof similar to a Tesla solar roof or upgrade a portion of your roof. Upgrading only a part of your roof may be cheaper than a Tesla solar roof.
While Tesla comes in at a lower price per installed watt, the more cost-effective option will depend on the homeowner’s individual needs.
Luma Solar Roof Vs. Tesla: Efficiency
In the case of Luma and Tesla solar roofs, the solar shingles used are less efficient than traditional solar panels. This is because solar shingles are smaller and less robust than conventional solar panels.
When comparing Luma solar shingles to Tesla solar shingles, Luma comes out on top. Luma’s solar shingle efficiency is around 22-24%, while Tesla’s is 18-20%. This is essential because you need fewer Luma solar shingles, which decreases cost.
Despite the difference in efficiency, both Luma and Tesla solar shingles are efficient enough to power your house completely. A solar roof from either company will mix solar shingles and regular shingles.
The regular shingles look precisely the same as the solar ones.
Luma Solar Roof vs. Tesla: Longevity
Both Luma and Tesla solar roofs are built to last. Both companies have designed their solar roof systems to last at least 30 years to guarantee a return on investment.
Looking beyond the design specs, Tesla appears more confident in its build quality. Tesla offers a 25-year warranty on the photovoltaic components on their solar roofs.
This is the part of the roof that generates electricity. Tesla guarantees that their solar roofs will still be operating at least 80% efficiently after 25 years, or they will replace the roof.
Meanwhile, Luma only offers a 5-year warranty on the photovoltaic components on their solar roofs. Beyond the photovoltaic warranty, both companies offer a 25-year power production warranty.
Luma stands out because they offer a lifetime warranty on the underlying shingles. Based on the warranties, it seems like Tesla solar roofs have more longevity than Luma solar roofs.
How Long Is the Wait for Tesla and Luma Solar Roof?
Unfortunately, the current wait time for Tesla to begin constructing a solar roof is 1-6 months. It might even be longer because Tesla has been increasing wait times consistently since 2016-2017. Luma, on the other hand, will start construction within a month.
This is one area where Luma comes out as the clear winner. Luma is the way to go if you are interested in building a solar roof shortly. Tesla has been a victim of its popularity and is struggling to meet demand.
Tesla and Luma Solar Roof Specs
Tesla and Luma use similar solar roof shingles for their solar roofs. The Tesla SR72T1 roof shingle has 14 photovoltaic cells. Its specifications are as follows:
- Rated Power: 71.67 watts
- Dimensions: 430mm x 1140mm x 5mm (16.93in x 44.88in x 0.2in)
- Weight: 15kg per m2 (3.1 lbs per ft2)
- Certification: UL and ETL
Based on these specifications, a Tesla solar roof needs 140 solar shingles to reach 10kW capacity. This is the equivalent of 28 traditional 360 W solar panels.
Meanwhile, the Luma LSS80 solar shingles have 16 monocrystalline cells and have the following specifications:
- Rated Power: 80 watts
- Dimensions: 52.5 in x 14.65 in x 2 in
- Weight: 19.8 lb
- Certification: UL and Miami-Dade Hurricane Rating Class 5+
Based on these specifications, Luma needs to install 125 solar shingles on your house to reach 10 kW capacity. This is the equivalent of 28 traditional solar panels.
Luma can also integrate their solar shingles into an existing roof if you don’t want to replace your whole roof.
Can A Tesla Or Luma Solar Roof Power A House?
Which Solar Roof Is Best, Tesla Or Luma?
Both companies provide outstanding solar roofs that will power homes well into the 21st century using green, sustainable energy.
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