Should You Replace Your Roof With A Tesla Solar Roof?
Jeff Cantin
October 4, 2022Any homeowner concerned about carbon footprints and energy costs has considered solar power— usually solar panels. But now there’s a different option: an entire Solar Roof by Tesla.
Tesla Solar Roof tiles are like regular shingles made of solar glass and steel roofing. They are designed to look and offer the same protection as traditional asphalt shingles while generating solar electricity simultaneously. Like conventional panels, solar roof tiles can potentially power an entire home. The energy surplus can then be stored in a Tesla Powerwall battery for later use. Essentially, the energy-harvesting ability is integrated into the roof itself!
Tesla Solar Roof tiles may be a particularly convenient choice if you consider replacing your roof or building a new home. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act offers homeowners enhanced tax credits of up to 30% off the cost for installation, increasing the incentive to go solar. With Tesla Solar Roof, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of solar energy without sacrificing the aesthetic of their homes.
What are Tesla Solar Roof tiles?
Tesla Solar Roof tiles are three times stronger than standard roofing shingles and engineered for all-weather durability, including active snow/ice melting and fire resistance. Each solar and non-solar tile is virtually indistinguishable in color and trims with a fully integrated design. As a result, your brand-new roof delivers no aesthetic compromise and looks incredible from any angle.
The average size of a solar tile is about 15 inches wide by 45 inches long and produces an output of 71.67 watts. After considering all of the solar tile components, the tiles weigh about 15 – 20 lbs. and are less than an inch in thickness so most roofs can handle them without additional reinforcement. With a 25-year warranty, Tesla Solar Roof will continue to produce clean energy and protect your home for decades to come.
What is the cost of a Tesla Solar Roof?
The cost of a Tesla Solar Roof will seem higher than a traditional roof replacement or a conventional solar installation. Still, it’s essential to remember that a solar roof installation includes the value of both premium roofing materials and a high-end solar panel system.
The total installation cost varies widely depending on the size and complexity of your roof. Because of this, it is very important to have an on-site inspection to determine if your property is a good fit for a Tesla Solar Roof. Where online estimates and pricing tools may provide inaccurate cost figures, a well-qualified energy specialist can offer a personalized experience tailored to your energy needs.
Several of the factors that affect the cost of solar roofs include:
- Active tiles
- Inactive tiles
- Roof size
- Roof pitch/slope
- Energy the home needs
What do you save in energy costs with a Tesla Solar Roof?
The Tesla Solar Roof offers a green energy solution that’s much nicer looking than conventional arrays and saves energy costs. Solar roofs can reduce costs by anywhere from 40% to 80% depending on the number of tiles on your roof.
In a case study, Solar Alternatives installed a Solar Roof comprising 291 Tesla SR60T1 solar modules producing 17.46kW of energy— generating enough electricity in its lifetime to power 64 homes for a year.
The Solar Roof was combined with two Tesla Powerwalls and an EV charger allowing the homeowner to rely less on utility power. The excess energy the house generates is fed back to the grid through net metering, improving the grid’s cleanliness, health, and stability for the community. The homeowner controls the system with the Tesla App that provides 24/7 mobile monitoring. This allows the family’s system to remain up-to-date with the latest technology for decades without replacing system elements and saves energy costs throughout the lifetime of their Solar Roof.
When discussing efficiency, it is important to note prices have dropped since the introduction of solar roof tiles. With the Inflation Reduction Act’s significant incentives and grants for homeowners, it may continue to do so.
Tesla Solar Roof vs. solar panels
Solar panels generally generate more watts per module since they are larger than shingles. With that in mind, Tesla Solar Roof tiles are designed to cover a greater portion of the roof so that the same or even greater power output can be achieved.
Solar roofs and solar panels can be great options to take your home’s energy efficiency to the next level. But which is best for you? The advantages of each in a nutshell:
Tesla Solar Roof
- Premium aesthetics
- Maximum solar production
- Increased weather resistance and durability
Solar Panels
- More energy-efficient depending on the roof slope and sunlight exposure
- Shorter installation time
- More affordable to install
What are the benefits of a Tesla Solar Roof?
There are many advantages to investing in Tesla Solar Roofs compared to conventional roofs and solar panels.
- Reduce energy bills
- Reduce carbon footprint
- Resemble traditional roof shingles
- More cost-effective per watt of solar energy than solar panels
- Easier to maintain than solar panels
- Earn tax credits and rebates
The final word on Tesla Solar Roof
Tesla Solar Roof tiles are changing clean energy adoption for homeowners. They are a great way to offset energy costs, reduce your home’s environmental impact and provide multiple benefits, such as reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to energy independence. More importantly, with enhanced federal tax credits starting in 2023, the time to go solar may be now!
If you’re environmentally conscious and need a complete roof replacement or a roof for a new build, Tesla Solar Roofs are worth considering. Contact us for a free consultation.
