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MagyarTesla Solar Roof: Musk builds sustainable communities with photovoltaic tiles blending in with normal roofs
Tesla is best known for its electric cars, such as the Cybertruck, but it has also become one of the largest solar installers in the US. The Tesla Solar Roof, which generates its own solar power, is made up of solar shingles or mini solar cells that look similar to conventional roof shingles.
To promote the product and drive the energy transition, Tesla is now building communities in the eastern US that will be sustainable with a Solar Roof and a Powerwall - and certified by the DOE as Zero Energy Ready Homes. With a Tesla Solar Roof, instead of installing individual solar panels on the roof, a new photovoltaic roof is installed, usually replacing the old roof and consisting of a mix of solar shingles and regular shingles (blind shingles), giving the overall aesthetic of a normal roof.
According to Tesla, the solar roof tiles are more than three times stronger than conventional roof tiles and are designed to provide protection in all weather conditions. The solar roof should last longer than an average roof, protecting the home for decades. The Tesla app monitors energy production in real time and the system can be controlled from anywhere with instant alerts and remote access.
Wind Resistance, Powerwall and Performance
The Tesla solar roof can withstand wind speeds of up to 110 mph, while solar shingles from other popular manufacturers can withstand an average of 130 mph, and in some cases 200 mph. In terms of output, a Tesla solar shingle has an output of 71.67 watts, although output per square metre is more important. However, when you buy a solar roof, you also need to buy a Powerwall. There are three different models (Powerwall 2, Powerwall 3 and Powerball Plus), with the two older models capable of storing up to 13.5 kWh of energy each.
The cost
Conventional solar systems are definitely much cheaper, and it must be stressed that the Tesla Solar Roof is more of a product for people who are prepared to spend more money for a special aesthetic. An exception might be if you need a new roof anyway. In that case, installing a solar roof would make more sense in terms of price. In addition, a solar roof is a product that has to be adapted to individual circumstances such as roof pitch, roof construction, etc., and is therefore priced differently for everyone, which is why no all-inclusive price can be given here.
As an example, here is an online estimate from Tesla for a home in Dallas: Tesla estimates $168,400 for 12.46 kilowatts of solar and a Powerwall. By comparison, Tesla estimates that 12 kilowatts of conventional solar panels and a Powerwall in the same location would cost $26,966.
The solar roof in the photo below, on the other hand, was priced at $176,600 for a very large area of 772 square metres, plus $26,600 to demolish the old roof. The final price includes $48,800 in federal tax credits. Prices for power walls and electricity storage are not included.
According to Tesla, the price for small roofs is quite different, with an estimated price of about $54,000 to $58,148 for a 148 square metre roof, or about $3.78 to $4.05 per watt - an optional federal tax credit would still have to be deducted from this cost estimate.
However, the lack of directly comparable products makes price comparisons difficult. There is a huge choice of solar systems from other providers, and conventional photovoltaic systems cost significantly less than a Tesla solar roof. However, Tesla has now reduced the price of the Solar Roof.
Availability and warranty
The Solar Roof has been available in the USA since 2016 and was launched in Australia in 2020. A little later, in 2022, the Solar Roof has been available in Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK. The availability of the Tesla Solar Roof depends on a number of factors, including local legislation, building regulations and climatic conditions.
In Germany, for example, the Solar Roof is only available in areas with a minimum roof pitch of 15 degrees. In the USA and Australia, for example, there is no minimum roof pitch requirement for the Tesla Solar Roof. Tesla plans to introduce the Solar Roof in other countries. Tesla uses a network of Tesla-certified contractors to install its solar products.
The Tesla Solar Roof comes with a 25-year product warranty against manufacturing defects and a 25-year weathering warranty that covers damage from wind and water, which is comparable to the average 20- to 30-year warranty on solar panels from other suppliers.
