:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56037831/tesla_solar_roof_first_intalls_3.0.png)
When Elon Musk started taking preorders for Tesla’s solar roof tiles in 2017, he said they’d be installing the roofs on Tesla employees homes first as a way of test-driving the technology before it was available to the public. Now customers are starting to share the installations on their own homes.
CleanTechnica spotted some homeowners sharing their new Tesla roofs on social media, including their price and performance.
The Tesla Solar Roof is every bit as beautiful as I hoped. Hoping @PGE4Me allows us to turn it on very soon. I feel like we’re living in the future! @Tesla @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/PoAm14peFB
— Toblerone (@Toblerhaus) March 24, 2018
A few more details: we had an older metal roof that needed to be replaced soon, so this was a good fit. After federal kickback, total price is mid 50k. We get lots and lots of sun in San Jose, and expect to produce more than we need. The Tesla install team was outstanding.
— Toblerone (@Toblerhaus) March 30, 2018
Tesla Solar roof is up and running. Current output is 5.0kw on a cloudy late morning. pic.twitter.com/FMWhpIHgJ2
— Toblerone (@Toblerhaus) March 31, 2018
Is this the solar geek equivalent of posting a pic of my morning coffee? That 8am spike is my coffee maker. ☕️ pic.twitter.com/AuqdHVOZCZ
— Toblerone (@Toblerhaus) April 3, 2018
In an August 2017 call to investors, Musk confirmed that the first two roofs had been installed on his house and the home of Tesla’s CTO, JB Straubel. Photos of those installations were shared in a letter to Tesla shareholders.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8986809/tesla_solar_roof_first_intalls_1.png)
Some rough math using Tesla’s calculator tool would place this roof’s cost at about $30,000, not including $7,000 for a Tesla Powerwall battery, with a Northern California customer receiving about $9,500 in tax credits. But according to the tool, the roof would generate $44,600 worth of energy over 30 years.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8986941/T_Sroof_TexturedGlass.jpg)
Tesla’s solar tiles are meant to be more aesthetically pleasing than the typical photovoltaic panel, but they’re also more efficient. Instead of a one-size-fits-all panel, the solar-collection can be customized, with the site and pitch of the roof determining the number of active, energy-generating tiles ($42 per square foot) and inactive tiles ($11 per square foot). Tesla sells regular solar panels, too, through SolarCity, the company Musk acquired in 2016.
For more Tesla solar roof details and pricing, start here.
Loading comments...