Tesla Solar Roof Review: A Sleek Look at a Stiff Price

7.5

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Tesla Solar Roof

Buy at Tesla

Like

• Solid wattage per square foot
• Strong warranties
• Sleek and discreet

Don't like

• Really expensive
• Lower wind rating than other solar roof options
• Can't be angled
• Customer service concerns

Tesla is renowned for its electric vehicles but has expanded into solar installations, becoming one of the largest solar panel installers in the United States. Its latest innovation, the Tesla Solar Roof, presents a distinctive solution for integrating solar energy into residential roofing. While it may not resemble traditional roofs, it offers a more subtle alternative to conventional rooftop solar panels.

For homeowners averse to the visual impact of solar panels, the Solar Roof represents a viable option—especially if they are already in the market for a roof replacement. However, this option comes with a significant financial commitment. Prospective buyers might find more cost-effective ways to harness solar energy without sacrificing roof integrity.

Due to the absence of a dedicated press office, the following information is primarily derived from publicly available resources. Tesla has not responded to inquiries regarding the Solar Roof, and while our research was extensive, we did not conduct hands-on testing. For potential buyers, acquiring multiple estimates from various local installers is advisable to ensure competitiveness.

What do I get from a Tesla Solar Roof?

Tesla markets its Solar Roof as a fusion of innovation and aesthetics. While the integration of solar technology into building structures is not unprecedented, Tesla's Solar Roof stands out as one of the most prominent releases in this category. It is among the most commendable solar roof products available.

A Solar Roof is essentially a roof constructed from smaller solar panels designed to resemble conventional roofing shingles. Consequently, investing in a Tesla Solar Roof means acquiring a complete roof composed of both standard and photovoltaic shingles. Not every shingle on the roof is solar-integrated; rather, there’s a blend of both to create an overall structure that fulfills both functional and aesthetic requirements.

Implementing this solution often necessitates the removal of the existing roof. Although Tesla has stated that it may place Solar Roofs over certain newer roofs, most homeowners will need to upgrade their roofing to accommodate the installation. Furthermore, Tesla mandates the inclusion of at least one Powerwall battery alongside the Solar Roof installation.

Tesla Solar Roof specs

CategoryDescription Wattage per shingle 71.67 WWattage per square foot 15.3 WWind rating 110 mphHail rating Class 3Efficiency Not specified

Warranties

The Tesla Solar Roof is covered by three warranties. These include a 25-year product warranty, a 25-year weatherization warranty, and a 25-year performance warranty. Tesla’s warranties for solar shingles are notably superior to those offered by other manufacturers. No other company on the market provides a comparable 25-year weatherization warranty, ensuring robust protection against environmental elements.

Warranty details

CategoryYears coveredDescription Product warranty 25Protects against manufacturer defects in design and/or material.Weatherization warranty 25Protects against damage from wind and rain.Performance warranty 25Tesla guarantees that your Solar Roof's performance won't fall to less than 95% in five years and won't decrease more than 0.5% per year for the following 20 years.

Wattage

Every solar shingle is rated for wattage, indicating its power output in ideal conditions. The wattage of the entire solar roof dictates its overall energy production capabilities. A single Tesla solar shingle outputs 71.67 watts, which is a competitive rating compared to its rivals.

It’s essential to focus on the wattage per square foot, as this measurement reveals how effectively the roof space can generate energy. The greater the wattage per square foot, the less area is required to fulfill energy demands. This may also lead to cost savings since fewer shingles may need to be installed.

Tesla's solar shingles yield approximately 15.3 watts per square foot—relatively average but not subpar.

Wind rating

The wind rating of solar shingles denotes the maximum wind speeds they can withstand. The Tesla Solar Roof is capable of withstanding winds up to 110 mph, which is lower than some competitors who offer wind ratings up to 130 mph and even 200 mph.

While Tesla's rating may seem limited, it is still sufficient for many regions; however, homeowners in areas prone to severe storms might prefer a product with higher wind resistance.

Tesla Powerwall

For those opting for the Tesla Solar Roof, purchasing at least one Powerwall battery is necessary. Tesla's Powerwall series includes the Powerwall 2, Powerwall Plus, and Powerwall 3, each with distinct specifications. The Powerwall 3 offers enhanced power output while retaining the same energy storage capacities as earlier models.

All Tesla Powerwall models carry excellent warranties, covering 10 years of unlimited cycle life with the assurance that at least 70% of the original capacity is maintained upon warranty expiration.

Tesla Powerwall specs

CategoryTesla Powerwall 3Tesla Powerwall 2Tesla Powerwall Plus Usable capacity 13.5 kWh13.5 kWh13.5 kWhHow many can I install? Up to four unitsUp to 10 unitsUp to 10 unitsRound-trip efficiency 89%90%90%Depth of discharge 100%100%100%Continuous power output (on-grid) 11.5 kW5 kW5 kWPrice $9,300 - $13,000$8,400 - $13,000$8,400 - $13,000

How much does a Tesla Solar Roof cost?

When placed alongside other solar panel solutions, the Solar Roof tends to be on the pricier side. Whether that cost is justifiable can depend on the current roofing condition. If a replacement is imminent, investing in a Solar Roof may be financially sensible.

However, if the priority is minimizing the financial outlay for solar energy, the Tesla Solar Roof may not be the best choice. An online quote for a home in Dallas revealed costs of $58,182 for a 10.37 kW system with a single Powerwall battery. This quote adjusted to around $63,152 with the addition of a second Powerwall, reflecting potential savings from federal tax credits.

Price fluctuations can also occur based on roof complexity. Steeper angles or additional structural challenges can lead to increased costs.

Tesla Solar Roof cost estimates

System size (kW) Average price per wattWith PowerwallTotal estimated cost10.37 $4.88No Powerwalls$50,.37 $5.61One Powerwall$58,.37 $6.09Two Powerwalls$63,152

The accompanying map illustrates the average costs reported for residential solar installations, as provided by FindEnergy.com. The cost of solar shingles/roofs is not captured in this data set. Additionally, state incentives and tax credits are not factored into these estimates, with gray areas indicating a lack of data.

Is Tesla's Solar Roof a good deal?

As with any significant investment, it's advisable to compare options. Local providers may offer competitive pricing compared to national companies with greater overhead. While Tesla has managed to reduce costs for its solar panel installations, the Solar Roof presents unique challenges in direct cost comparisons.

If aesthetic appeal is a priority and the Solar Roof aligns with your preferences, it may be the ideal solution despite the premium. However, practical considerations for most consumers may lead them to explore alternative options that present better value for their energy needs, including diverse configurations of panels, batteries, and inverters at lower prices. Furthermore, Tesla has faced scrutiny regarding its customer service.

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In recent releases, competitors like GAF Energy have introduced their own solar shingle products. While pricing details for GAF remain undisclosed, earlier statements suggested costs would be significantly lower than those associated with the Tesla Solar Roof. However, GAF solar products do resemble traditional roofs less than Tesla's offerings.

The customer experience associated with Tesla solar installations has drawn mixed reviews. Some grateful customers praise cost-effective installations, while others express frustration with service issues. As the customer base for Solar Roofs is still developing, drawing conclusions about service reliability is challenging.

The potential exists that Tesla will enhance its customer focus for Solar Roof purchasers, yet this remains speculative.

Does Tesla operate in my state? How do I order?

Tesla's services are available across all 50 states. To check if your location falls within the service area, visit Tesla's website and enter your address for an estimate. While Tesla is expanding its service for Solar Roofs nationwide, some addresses may still encounter unavailability. Through collaborations with third-party contractors, Tesla is enhancing its reach.

To place an order, simply create an account on Tesla's website. Utilizing satellite imagery, Tesla will craft a personalized design and preliminary cost estimate, solidifying this through a home visit from a representative to assess aspects like the roof's size and complexity.

Following agreement on design and terms, Tesla will facilitate permits and schedule installation. Although some in-house teams are in operation, Tesla is increasingly relying on third-party installers to meet growing demand.

Tesla Solar reviews: What are customers saying?

Online customer feedback offers a valuable perspective for evaluating solar service providers. The reviews surrounding Tesla are notably varied, reflecting diverging experiences from their clientele.

5 star reviews

"My entire experience with Tesla Energy Solar was seamless. I honestly give all that credit to [the salesperson]. He was very patient with all my questions. He walked me through every single step and followed through on all elements. I received several quotes from other companies and was ignored by others. I would without a doubt recommend Tesla Solar Energy and [the salesperson]!" Rosa G. February 22,

"A neighbor referred me to this firm as I had no idea where to start. Being retired, I was concerned about saving money in the now. The system that was built for me was able to save me 50% on my monthly electricity costs. Every dollar counts at my age, so I am more than happy to accept those savings." Amirat N. August 8,  

1 star reviews

"We love Tesla cars and the philosophy. We made a HUGE mistake in extending that trust to the solar energy unit. It has been the single worst customer experience we've had in fifty years. Buy the cars. Whatever you do, don't order their solar system or you will go months and months awaiting the smallest inevitable repair." Owen W. August 10,

"The only thing worse than Tesla service centers is the service you get from Tesla Energy. Tesla told us our system would take three days to install. After not showing up for 15 to 20 appointments, the system took 35 days to install. The system never worked the way it should. It is underproducing massively compared to what Tesla said it would. Tesla doesn't monitor the system much at all. They installed inverters that were already so out of date that they needed to upgrade motherboards after the installation. One of my inverters stopped working later, and it takes a month or more to get Tesla to show up to fix the issue." Adam July 4,

How we evaluated the best solar shingles

Our methodology

CNET has not performed any form of hands-on testing with these products. Solar shingles are part of a complex PV system that's integrated into the roof of a house or structure. This makes hand-on testing difficult. Instead, we took the most common solar shingle brands on the market, and made comparisons between them to find the best option. It's also important to note the limited availability of solar roof products, making choices for this list limited as well. Here's how we scored the best solar shingles. 

First, we determined what categories we would use to evaluate each solar shingle. Each category was given a weight reflecting how important we felt it was to the average consumer. After examining data provided by manufacturers and speaking with subject matter experts (who did not influence the choices that were made for this list), these were the categories we chose to evaluate each solar shingle brand on.

• Product warranty: 20%
• Wind and weatherization warranty: 15%
• Power output and performance warranty: 20%
• Wind rating: 10%
• Shingle efficiency: 15%
• Shingle wattage per square foot: 20% 

We looked at five of the most popular solar shingle providers on the market, collected the data for each category and compared the numbers. Each category (for every solar shingle) was given a tier-style rating to evaluate which aspects of each solar shingle were above average (among our list), just average or below average.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Tesla Solar Roof last?

The longevity of your solar roof depends on the manufacturer and the installer. Most solar roofs are designed to last between 20 and 30 years, which is comparable with traditional solar panels. Your solar shingle warranty can also give you an idea of how long it will last. If your solar roof is warranted for at least 25 years, that's a good sign. The Tesla Solar Roof is warranted for 25 years.

Can the Tesla Solar Roof cause leaks?

If your solar roof is not installed properly, then yes, it can leak and cause water damage. You'll want to select an installer that has a proven track record of installing Tesla Solar Roofs on the type of roof you have. If the job is done right the first time, leakage won't be a problem. 

Tesla's Solar Roof includes a 25-year product warranty against manufacturer defects and a 25-year weatherization warranty, covering damage from wind and water. So if you do experience roof leaks, there's a likelihood that it will be covered under warranty.

Does Tesla use subcontractors?

Yes, Tesla uses a network of Tesla-certified subcontractors to install its solar products.