Cost-Benefit of a Tesla Solar Roof
With most of the world making the switch to renewable energy, some US homeowners have started purchasing solar roof installations over traditional solar panels. The price of this equipment has slowly gone down since the technology was introduced and it's finally affordable enough to consider a purchase.
Tesla has joined the clean energy housing movement with the introduction of the Tesla solar roof. This solar roof is meant to ease the switch to solar energy and make your new roof generate electricity on its own!
What is a Tesla Solar Roof?
A Tesla Solar roof is a fully integrated solar and storage system. Instead of installing conventional solar panels on top of your existing roof, installers actually re-roof your home building integrated photovoltaics into your roof tiles. Those active solar shingles feed a home battery system. For energy wonks out there, it's super cool.
This article will help you understand the intricacies and cost of a solar roof (specifically Tesla's solar roof), and the associated cost of purchasing and installing a Tesla roof.
Keep in mind that we'll be using Tesla's estimates and data based on multiple residences, but your home's overall cost/benefit may be different.
Estimating the Cost of a Tesla Solar Roof and back-up energy system
Tesla publishes a basic calculator to estimate the cost to install their solar roof. Estimates aren't firm and costs vary, just as rooflines vary, but you can get a firm offer as you progress down the path of getting your solar roof. Just be wary that you're probably going to get lots of solicitation calls as soon as you input your home and contact information. Consider yourself warned!
Tesla estimates use a couple of factors to determine the all-in cost of your solar roof:
- Solar Cost: The system is typically sized to offset 100% of your energy needs based on current usage (average monthly energy costs can be obtained from your utility bill).
- Roof Cost: The complexity, steepness of your roof and presence of roof obstacles determines the number of mounting planes and required engineering.
Both of those things make sense. We reached out to Tesla to get the nitty gritty. Here's what they told us:
For houses with existing roofs in good condition, it typically makes more financial sense to purchase a traditional solar panel installation over a solar roof. That's because the cost of solar panels and a back-up battery system are still far cheaper than the solar roof equivalent. For houses under construction, or for houses that need to be re-roofed, the Tesla solar roof cost is more reasonable.
Let's get into the details. We received bids on different properties. In all cases, the cost of installation incorporated three main components:
- Cost of Solar Roof
- Cost of Roof Tear Off
- Powerwall Battery
The average cost of installation (pre-ITC) per square foot of roofing was $29.13. Incorporating the federal tax incentive and any available local utility rebates, the installation (post-ITC) per square foot of roofing was $23.34. For many houses, that computes to a total system cost of between $50,000 and $60,000 before the benefit of any tax credits, and between $40,000 and $50,000 after the affect of any tax credits.
The cost of a Tesla solar roof is approximately 2x that of traditional panels.
But keep in mind that your Tesla solar roof are capable of producing 100% of your power needs while conventional solar panels typically produce slightly less than your required needs. That means that in addition to the cost of your solar system, you may still need to pay the utility company for incremental usage with conventional solar panels.
Considerations for Tesla Solar Roof Cost Estimation
Roof Replacement
The Tesla solar system and roof can only be placed on top of a 3-tab, single-layer composition or asphalt shingle roof that is less than 20 years old. If the existing roofs use any other type of roofing material or lack the asphalt shingles, all of them will have to be replaced. Roof Tear Off costs incorporated into the bids we received averaged $3.56 per square foot of roofing.
Roof Complexity
Tesla brought changes to the way they estimate costs based on a roof's complexity. They have divided the complexity into three main categories - Simple, Intermediate, and Complex.
Tesla solar roof tiles require experienced specialists to install so any extra difficulty essentially means more time to install them. As such, the cost difference between each category of complexity is roughly between $5,000 and $10,000. As for the categories, here's the definition for each:
Simple - Simple roofs are single-level roofs with few obstructions and low pitch. Thanks to their low roof complexity rating, specialists won't have any trouble installing solar panels on these roofs.
Intermediate - Intermediate roofs are multi-level roofs with some obstructions and higher pitch. These roofs also aren't problematic but more time is needed to install the Tesla solar roof.
Complex - Complex roofs are multi-level roofs with steep pitch and plenty of obstructions, making them both difficult to work around and tedious. They'll set you back a lot in the financial sense, especially if you'll have to pay for roof replacement.
Extra Upgrades and Costs
Tesla may need to install additional upgrades to the solar power installation depending on your home's existing infrastructure. Conventional solar panels are, in this regard, a cheaper option but they won't be able to power the entirety of your home.
In any case, Tesla mentions services such as the installation of a solar roof on your deck or shed and additional electrical work. The cost of these upgrades is not accounted for in the solar roof calculator.
Solar Incentives
State or Federal-level incentives may help you reduce the solar roof cost even further. Incentives vary from state to state but you can find the relevant information easily on Tesla's website.
Homeowners who opt for installing traditional solar panels or Tesla's solar shingles can expect a 26% Federal tax credit if they install them before 2023 and 22% for systems installed in 2023. The federal tax credit ladders down in subsequent years. So if you want to grab this opportunity to have your very own solar installation - you don't have much time!
Powerwall
By purchasing the company's solar roof package, you'll also be obliged to use their integrated battery system called the Tesla Powerwall. The Powerwall can collect up to an impressive 13.5kW of electricity that the solar panels generate. The Powerwall is exceptionally useful for situations where electricity can't be generated such as during a power outage or at night. Users can also monitor power usage through the Powerwall.
It's worth noting that, although a single Powerwall is powerful on its own, the number of them that you'll need depends on how much electricity is required at any given time. So, if you want to use multiple large appliances at the same time, you may need to incorporate more than one Powerwall.
A single Powerwall costs an expensive $6,500 but if you count installation fees as well, the total price will be $10,500 ($4,000 for the installation). The good news is that you won't have to pay the installation fee for any future Powerwalls you may end up buying as your electricity needs increase.
It's worth nothing that a Powerwall is a great option for those considering solar roofing or panels. A Powerwall stores energy so you can operate "off-grid" when needed. It's worth discussing with specialists other upgrades to electrify your home and building production and battery back-up to accommodate changes down the rod.
The Tesla Solar Roof Installation Process
The Tesla solar roof is still relatively technology and Tesla may not even perform installations in certain rural areas. The installation also takes a while so be prepared to stay on top of it for a few days or weeks, depending on the size of the solar roof.
The overall ordering process is also somewhat complex. First, you'll need to place an order for the solar roof on Tesla's website.
You'll have to deposit $250 to confirm the order and the estimate. Tesla gathers information from your order (roof size, number of solar shingles, whether you want a premium roof or not, etc.) and designs the roof for your home remotely based on satellite imaging and an interview with a Tesla specialist.
Following this, you'll have to get the relevant permits and authorizations before Tesla starts installing the solar roof. Once the installation is done, it will be subject to an inspection by the local authorities, following which the Powerwall will be connected to the utility grid.
Remember that there are a couple of factors that may influence the final price such as the number of roof tiles, your home's location, the weather, and more.
Is it Worth Getting a Tesla Solar Roof?
The answer to this question depends on what you're looking for. The cost comparison between a Tesla Solar Roof and putting solar panels on your roof indicate that traditional solar panels are still far more affordable for most people. If you need to install a new roof anyway, it's worth getting a quote on a traditional roof installation and taking that into account to weigh the total cost.
If you prefer a sleek, uniform design for your roof, have the money to pay for it, and don't have an issue with replacing your roof - then a Tesla solar roof is the perfect choice for you. Otherwise, most solar panels on the market today will do the job just fine as they are more affordable and generally easier to install. If you're married to the Tesla products, they also offer traditional panels.
Tesla Solar Roof vs Tesla Solar Panels
The Tesla solar roof can generate more electricity than its solar panel counterpart but it's also much more expensive. A Tesla solar roof for a home with 2,000 square feet of roofing costs approximately $55,000, which may be approximately 2x the cost of conventional solar panels. On the other hand, solar panels typically generate less kW than the solar roof based on panel placement. Speak with a specialist to understand the viability of your roof.
Tesla Solar Roof FAQs
How long does installing a Tesla solar roof take?
In most cases, installing a Tesla solar roof takes a couple weeks or so of time but the process can take even longer if the weather isn't good or if there are problems with third party suppliers. You'll get a fairly accurate estimate from Tesla themselves if you ask.
Does a Tesla solar roof increase the value of the home?
The Tesla roof isn't just a source of renewable electric energy but also an aesthetically pleasing construction. Replacing your old roof with the Tesla one will also make your new roof last for up to 20 years. This can certainly increase the value of your home.
Is it possible to go off-grid with a Tesla solar roof?
It is entirely possible to live off-grid with a Tesla roof but keep in mind you may need multiple Powerwalls to achieve this. The price is also an important consideration since a regular roof isn't nearly as expensive as Tesla's solar roof. Overall, Tesla solar roofs are a great choice for homeowners who want to lower or completely eliminate their electricity bill.
