Since Tesla’s solar roof concept was revealed last week, we have received many inquiries about solar shingles. This technology is innovative and appealing, but customers must understand the proper use cases and costs.
A Tesla solar roof is a roof replacement. Customers will need to replace their roofs with solar-enabled or non-solar glass tiles. Although the product looks excellent, savvy consumers should evaluate whether it is financially feasible.
EXAMPLE: SUNPOWER PV VS. TESLA ROOF
Let’s take Scenario 1, where a homeowner in Texas wants to lower their energy consumption but doesn’t need a new roof. Based on a 3,000-square-foot house. Based on a 3,000-sq.ft. Using Tesla’s calculations, a 40 percent solar roof will produce $29,200 in energy savings over 30 years.
The solar roof costs $84,200. A SunPower system with half the footprint can generate up to $65,000 annually in energy savings.
The SunPower system uses the most efficient solar panel technology and costs approximately $50,000 to install.
The Tesla solar roof costs 70% more and produces half the electricity of a SunPower system. The SunPower system is more efficient, less expensive, and does not require roof replacement.
TESLA’S SOLAR ROOFS COST MORE IN THE LONG RUN
The Tesla solution might seem attractive to homeowners needing to replace their roofs. However, a closer look at Scenario 2 shows this may be false. Consumer Reports estimates that our example is 3,000 sq. An asphalt roof replacement costing $20,000 per ft. would bring the total cost of a SunPower system or roof replacement to $70,000
Although the Tesla solar roof costs are less than SunPower + roof replacement by 20%, the production cost difference will affect consumers’ ability to recoup their investment over the long term. Scenario 2 shows that the SunPower system with roof repair is more cost-effective than Tesla. It will save twice as much energy over the life of the SunPower system.
WHY ARE TESLA SOLAR ROOOFS SO COMMON?
Tesla solar roofs are available for early adopters, regardless of the price. These consumers should remember that Tesla will only install solar roofs in California beginning in June. We are still determining when the installation will be in other parts of the country. Customers should be prepared for any initial problems if the Tesla solar roofs resemble the Tesla Roadster. SunPower by Freedom Solar is a proven leader in excellence. All our installations come with a comprehensive lifetime guarantee on parts, labor, and performance, giving you peace of mind about your investment.
Let SunPower by Freedom Solar’s Energy Consultants help you decide the best way to meet your energy requirements.