Solar energy represents more than 50% of the total US installed generating capacity in 2021, making it the fastest growing source of electricity. Most solar power systems use traditional photovoltaic modules, but solar shingles are becoming a viable alternative. You've probably heard about Tesla's solar roof that integrates photovoltaic cells as part of the shingles, eliminating the need for separate solar panels.
The Tesla solar roof is characterized by its “invisible” design. Tesla uses a combination of solar shingles and non-generating shingles, and both types look identical from the ground. This means you can generate clean electricity without changing the look of your roof with a solar panel.
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Here we will review the main features of the Tesla solar roof while discussing its advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional solar panels.
Tesla Solar Roof Technical Specifications
The basic component of the Tesla solar roof is the SR72T1 photovoltaic tile, which has a rated power of 71.67W. Tesla specifies the number of solar shingles according to your home's electricity needs, and the rest of your roof is covered with non-solar shingles that look identical to the generating shingles.
High-efficiency solar panels designed for residential use typically range from 350W to 400W, which means you need 5 to 6 Tesla tiles to match the output of one module. For a property that needs an 8 kW solar power system, you can use 20 traditional panels rated at 400 W each or 112 Tesla solar tiles.
In terms of efficiency and durability, Tesla solar tiles can compare with the best solar panels on the market. Each tile contains 14 monocrystalline solar cells and Tesla has obtained the following certifications:
- ASTM D3161 Class F Wind Rating
- NFPA Class A Fire Rating
- ANSI FM 4473 Class 3 Hail Classification
The Tesla solar roof can be installed with a pitch ranging from 2:12 to 24:12, making it suitable for a wide variety of residential projects. The tiles come with a 25-year warranty, which is comparable to the warranty offered by major solar panel manufacturers.
Tesla Solar Roof: pros and cons compared to solar panels
The main advantage of the Tesla solar roof is being able to combine the roof installation and the solar photovoltaic system into a single system. There's no need to drill holes in your roof to install racks for solar panels, and you deal with a single supplier instead of two separate contractors.
However, because the Tesla solar roof is both a generation system and a roof structure, it is priced higher than a set of solar panels of equivalent capacity.
- According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) , you can expect to pay about $3.07/watt for a home solar system with high-efficiency photovoltaic modules. This means a homeowner can expect to pay around $24,560 for an 8 kW solar installation.
- The cost of a Tesla solar roof is less predictable, as it depends not only on the generating capacity needed, but also on the roof design and square footage. However, many homeowners received offers with average prices exceeding $5 per watt. Using the same example of an 8 kW system, you could pay over $40,000 when using a Tesla solar roof.
One big limitation of the Tesla solar roof is that you can only purchase a full roof installation, not a partial roof upgrade. For example, if you have 2,000 square feet. roof, you can't cover 500 square feet. with Tesla solar tiles and leave the rest intact. You need to buy a complete plot of 2000 square feet. Tesla roof and install your non-solar shingles on roof areas that will not be used for power generation.
From a financial perspective, Tesla's solar roof makes sense when you also need a new roof. This is the case if you plan to build a new home or own a property that needs a roof replacement soon. On the other hand, if your current roof is relatively new and in good condition, traditional solar panels offer a better ROI than a Tesla solar roof.
Does Tesla Solar Roof Get 30% Federal Tax Credit?
The federal solar tax credit was recently increased from 26% to 30% and extended for another 10 years. The Tesla solar roof qualifies for this benefit just like traditional photovoltaic modules, but there is one important restriction:
You can only claim 30% of the cost of the roof components involved in generating solar energy, not 30% of the total costs.
