Regarding futuristic innovations, Tesla is the first name that comes to mind. Tesla has won the sustainable energy race by developing Solar Roofs. The Tesla solar roof was introduced to the world in 2016 and finally became available to the public after two years.
The roof consists of photovoltaic roof tiles which get installed on the roof and become a part of the house. The best thing about this product is, that it feels like a part of the house and doesn’t kill the overall look of your home. The Tesla solar roof went through many improvements over the years so that people can take full advantage of its excellence.
If you are planning to install these tesla solar panel tiles in your home, you must be curious about its features, advantages, and cost Therefore, in this article, we will discuss everything about the Tesla solar roof in detail so that the choice can become easy for you.
Tesla Solar Roof: How Does it Work
Tesla solar roof shingles are very thoughtfully designed. Although solar roofs or incorporating solar panels in home designs have been proposed and tried many times, people have yet to do it like Tesla. The company combined two types of shingles in the solar roof building.
The ones that have photovoltaic cells and generate energy and the ones that are inactive and only add to the overall design of the roof. Moreover, sometimes the whole roof does not have to be photovoltaic as the home requires fewer solar cells to generate energy, so the inactive tiles can be placed on the part of the roof that has shading.
Additionally, the Tesla solar panel is better installed by scraping the old roof tiles, so that it can fit perfectly. Therefore, if you want to replace your roof better replace it with the one that generates electricity.
The solar roof generates a direct current that is not used for electricity, therefore, if you are planning on getting a Tesla solar roof, you must also have an inverter that can convert DC into an alternative current.
Tesla Powerwall battery system must also be included with a solar roof To improve the system efficiency and have an energy backup. This will allow the use of electricity at night and during an outage.
Tesla Solar Roof: What It Costs
There’s no definite Tesla solar roof cost because it depends on the roof and some other factors. The size of your roof, its complexity, number of joints, all affect the total cost of a Tesla solar roof.
For instance, if you have a 2000 square root roof, you will require a 6.14KW solar roof. If you add the cost of the recommended Powerwall, you will end up with a coat of sound of $70000 and after adding incentives like a federal tax credit, the cost will reduce to $50000. If your roof size is 1594 square feet, the cost will be less than $50000.
The cost also includes the tearing of the older roof and the installation of necessary wiring in the home’s electrical system. If you do not include a Tesla solar battery, the cost will definitely be reduced.
After the size and scraping of the previous roof, the other factor that can decide the total costs of the solar roof is its complexity. The complexity means, the number of chimneys, ventilation, or dormers on the roof and roof joints and pitch. Your roof can be categorized as simple, intermediate, or complex which can cause an increase or decrease in the Tesla solar roof cost.
If you want a rough estimate of your roof’s solar shingles and their cost, you can get it from the quote system. It is a kind of Tesla solar roof cost calculator that tells you the amount you need to have a sustainable roof. However, it can be costly when compared to solar panels, so if you really want to go for a solar roof, you must be ready for a costly ride.
Tesla Solar Roof: What Specs Does It Offer?
Tesla solar roof is a great option for those who are concerned with the aesthetic appeal of their home. It may be costly but it has some excellent specs that add to its efficiency. So the specs are as follows.
- Wattage Per Shingle: 71.67 W
- Wattage per Square foot: 15.3
- Wind Rating: 110 mph
- Fire Rating: Class A
- Hail Rating: Class 3
- Warranty: 25 Years
- Inverter Power/ Eccefeicny: 3.8kW/7.6kW/97.5%
Fire Rating
Fire rating means how well the solar roof can sustain against fire. The Tesla solar roof has a fore rating of class A which is excellent as it has a flame spread rate of zero to 25 mph, which is very reasonable.
Wind Rating
The wind rating of Tesla’s roof is not a great spec but it is a good one. It has a wind rating of class F which means it can withstand winds of 110 mph. If your house happens to be in a category 2 or 3 hurricane, your roof will not lift off. However, there are roofs available in the market with more wind ratings some reaching 130 mph and some even 200 mph.
Hail Rating:
Hail rating is another important factor to consider means how much your solar shingles can withstand the hails. The tiles are given a class 3 hail rating and they can keep up with the impact of hails with 1.75 inches diameter.
Wattage
Wattage is another feature of great importance, it tells us how much power is generated by a single solar roof under ideal conditions. It is determined by the wattage rating of the solar shingles.
Tesla’s solar shingles have a wattage rating of 71.67 watts. It is great but there are other solar shingles with more rating. One of the benefits of a high wattage rating is it increases output, which means you will need fewer shingles to generate the required power which can save somecost.
Roof Pitch
Roof pitch compatibility is also very crucial to understand because the angle or pitch of your roof affects energy production. Tesla solar roofs are compatible with the roof pitch of 2:12 and 24:12 which is very versatile so Tesla roofs can be installed on almost every roof compared to the others available with only 6:12 and 9:12.
Tesla Solar Roof: Combining a Powerwall
If you get a Powerwall battery with a Tesla solar roof, you can increase the efficiency of your home solar system. The powerwall provides electricity storage at night and during outages which extends its usage.
Two powerwall models can be combined with the Tesla solar roof, Powerwall 2 and Powerwall Plus. There is also Powerwall 3 which will be available in 2024. The powerwall plus is a battery-plus inverter tha can provide more backup than the Powerwall battery. You can see more about Tesla Powerwall on the official website.
Tesla Solar Roof: Pros and Cons
Although Tesla’s solar roof is an amazing technology that has started a race for solar roofs, still there are a few things that might be a deal breaker for users.
Pros
Outstanding Warranty: Tesla offers a 25-year warranty on the solar roof, which is amazing because users will not have to worry about any damage repairs and additional costs it causes.
Various Designs: Tesla roof tiles are available in multiple designs such as texture, Slate, Smooth, and Tuscan which allow homeowners to choose their desired style.
Aesthetically pleasing: These solar roofs look good on your home, especially if you do not want a solar panel placement on your roof.
Durability: It is one of the most significant features of the Tesla solar roof because it can withstand extreme conditions without getting damaged. Even if you are living in areas with extreme weather conditions, you can always count on this solar roof.
Cons
Expensive: One of the most common questions that potential solar roof buyers ask is about the cost. Tesla is not giving a huge edge on cost efficiency and the cost of solar roofs is higher than many other options in the market so it is not a good option for most users because of upfront cost.
Lower Output: A solar roof is known to generate less power than a traditional solar panel. We do not know if this will improve with time but for now, tesla roofs cost more than they can produce.
Although these are two major drawbacks of the Tesla solar roofs, we also find a few other problems such as longer waiting time before installation and unknown maintenance costs. You may have to wait between three or six months before your installation is done and there are no guidelines on the maintenance cost.
Tesla Solar Roof: Getting It Installed
The process of installing a Tesla solar roof is rather long. There is a lot that goes in between the ordering and final installation. You can place the order and pay $250 in advance on Tesla’s website.
Once you have applied, tesla’s engineers will assess your roof via satellite. They can also visit the site afterward for more information about your roof.
You will also need to submit your electricity bill which is analyzed. Tesla will see if your roof is a good candidate for the roof or not. If your roof is not suitable for Tesla solar shingles, they will return your deposit.
If your application is accepted, you will required permission to operate solar tiles on your roof. This is a standard procedure that happens even in traditional solar installations.
Once you get the permits, tesla’s engineers will install the roof and it will be inspected for safety by your utility. Once you get a green signal, the solar roof is ready to generate energy. Make sure your area has certified Tesla installers. You can also find out if Tesla is operating in your area or not by entering your address on the company’s website.
Tesla Solar Roof: Maintenance and Cleaning
When it comes to maintenance and cleaning, you must not risk doing it on your own. Cleaning traditional solar panels is easier than solar roofs. As specified by the company, always hire professionals to clean solar roofs.
You must not walk or climb on your roof because it can cause slipping or damage to the tiles. Moreover, if for some reason you have to clean the roof yourself, never spray the water directly on the front of the tiles or between the tiles. Always flow the power washer downward so the water can just come off the roof.
Moreover, using any kind of soap, detergent, or chemicals is not recommended on the solar roof. If there is dust and debris, use a telescopic soft brush to rinse it off.
Final Analysis
Tesla solar roofs are great and can provide a potential long-term solution for your energy problems as well as keep your home design uncompromised. Still, when it comes to upfront cost and efficiency, Tesla might need to work a bit more. If you want to go for alternatives, GAF Energy can be a good contender. You can also go through Tesla solar reviews on the internet to see what it’s like to be a solar roof owner.
They do not have their prices public yet, but sources indicated half pricing than Tesla with almost similar solar roof basics. We can just hope for a better technological advancement in the field of sustainable energy meanwhile, tesla is a go for your big home.
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