Have you heard? In the fall of 2016, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the newest innovation in residential solar, and everyone is buzzing with excitement! Accompanied by an infinite warranty—or the lifetime of your house, whichever comes first—Tesla's Solar Roof tiles are said to be three times stronger than standard roofing tiles. Offered in textured or smooth glass, with Tuscan and slate versions, the Tesla Solar Roof tiles can power colonial, modern, and Mediterranean styled homes alike.
The Solar Roof tiles are certainly as sleek as Tesla's energy storage and automobile offerings, but are they cost effective when compared to standard solar modules? Using Tesla’s solar roof calculator and information for a 2,000 square foot home with a 2,500 square foot roof and $200 monthly electric bill, here is how their roofing tiles compare to an ordinary rooftop solar panel installation:
Up-Front Cost
Federal Tax Credit
Net Cost
Annual Savings
Payback Period (years)
Tesla Roof Tiles
$58,500
$7,020
$51,480
$2,002
26
Standard Solar Modules
$17,556
$5,267
$12,289
$1,997
6.2
For now, traditional solar modules continues to be a homeowner's best choice economically, as the current price tag for Tesla's Solar Roof is geared towards new construction on high-end homes. But, as with any new technology, the cost to install Tesla solar tiles is sure to come down in the coming years. And when it does, Tesla's solar roof will allow more homeowners to enjoy the aesthetic benefits of virtually invisible solar on their rooftops. So now the question is, when will solar tiles be economically viable and who wants to be the first Oregon household with a solar roof?!
Tune into The Energy Show, hosted by Barry Cinnamon, for a full recap on the Tesla Solar Roof tiles.