Solar panels are more popular than ever before. But it might not stay that way. At least, that is what Tesla is hoping for.
The automotive and energy company, which also sells solar panels, is looking to change the solar industry with its Solar Roof. This latest version of the product, released in October 2019, marks Tesla’s third attempt at a solar roof. Originally unveiled in 2016, the concept faced numerous issues and had to be redesigned twice. Tesla is assuming that the third’s times a charm, as CEO Elon Musk has said he hopes to have 1,000 solar roofs a week being installed during 2020.
Solar power, in general, is a booming market. There are close to two million solar panel installations in the US alone, with that number projected to double within the next five years.
There has been an installation increase in recent years due to numerous factors including the federal solar tax credit, energy bill savings, a larger global focus on environmental sustainability, and even peer pressure.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we are being asked more often than ever if our roofing panels are suitable for solar panels.
Our panels are very compatible with solar panels, especially standing seam. These roofing panels don’t require any holes to be made in the roof to secure the solar panels when used with S-5 solar roofing attachments.
If you don’t have panels on your roof yet but are looking into going solar, you might be wondering if this new Tesla product is an investment worth making. In this article, we discuss Tesla’s Solar Roof in regards to:
- Components
- Installation
- Cost
- Risks
- Standing Seam Metal Roofs With Solar Panels: A Solar Roof Alternative
Photo Credit: TeslaTesla’s Solar Roof Components
Tesla’s solar roof may look like a traditional roofing system on the outside, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
The system is made up of solar and non-solar tiles. The solar tiles have solar cells inside of them. These tiles allow more solar cells on a rooftop than just having solar panels. The roofing system is made to be installed with a Tesla Powerwall, a battery that stores the energy collected from the roof that can then be used to power your house.
The solar roof tiles are made of tempered glass, which Tesla claims are “more than three times stronger than standard roofing tiles.” The tiles are currently only available in a single textured black glass style, but the company plans on releasing new styles every 6-9 months.
Installation
Tesla is claiming that this new version of the company’s solar roof will take only 8 hours to install. However, the roofing system has been taking 5-7 days on average to be installed, and up to two weeks in some cases. This longer than expected installation time is causing a backlog of installations with long wait times.
Tesla solely handles installations for now, as they began hiring and training roofers for solar roof installation as soon as they started taking pre-orders for the new product in 2017. However, they are planning on keeping up with demand by incorporating a “Tesla certified installer” program so traditional roofing companies will be able to install roofs as well.
Cost
Tesla has worked and reworked its solar roofing system, which comes with a 25-year warranty, to make it as affordable as possible. Most recently, Tesla has stated that homeowners can expect to pay around $21.85 per square foot, or roughly $44,000 for a 2,000 sq. ft. home, if the roof installed was made up of 35 percent solar tiles.
The more solar tiles the roof has, the more expensive it will be. Tesla states that pricing also varies based on location.
A recent potential Tesla customer in the San Francisco area received a quote of $54,866 for a 1,862 sq ft roof. The estimate included the new roof, Powerwall, and roofing/ site repairs. That works out to $29.47 per square foot, over $7 more per square foot than Tesla is claiming.
Even the company’s CEO has stated that this might not be the roofing solution for everyone due to cost, especially for those that have recently installed a new roof.
Risks
As a brand new product with not the greatest track record already, the solar roof comes with some risks.
Backlog
Tesla has been having trouble keeping up with demand for the roofs and has been in a production backlog. If you need to replace a roof soon, the solar roof is most likely not the right choice for you. You will be on the current waiting list for over a year, at least, before installation happens.
Installation
As previously mentioned, waiting time to have a solar roof installed has been a bit of an issue, with Tesla looking to outsource the projects to roofing companies to keep up with demand.
Installation is such an important part of any roof’s success, with poor workmanship being one of the biggest reasons why roofs need to be replaced prematurely. Since the solarglass roof is a new product that is so different than anything the roofing industry has seen before, it will be several years before there is a large pool of roofers that have extensive experience doing these installations. That’s a big chance to take on such a large investment.
Potential Fire Hazard
Tesla already does not have the best reputation in the solar industry.
Walmart recently sued Tesla after their solar panels caught on fire at seven different store locations.
Several homeowners have had the same unfortunate situation happen where their homes caught on fire. While these fires involved Tesla’s solar panels only and not the new solar roof, it still raises questions regarding the safety of their solar products.
Standing Seam Metal Roof in Copper Penny®
Solar Roofing Alternative
If you’re thinking that Tesla's solar roof isn’t the right roofing option for you but you would still like to reap the benefits of going solar, there are many solar panel options to choose from.
While solar panels work with most types of roofing materials, standing seam metal roofs are often seen as one of the most compatible roofing types with solar panels.
The benefit of using solar panels with a standing seam metal roof is that the solar panels can be mounted over the seams of the roofing panel without having to actually penetrate the roof.
S-5 solar roofing attachments are used to mount the panels and are made specifically for standing seam metal roofs. There will be no drilling into the roof, yet your panels will be kept securely in place.
In addition to the ease of installation for solar panels, standing seam metal roofs provide many other benefits, such as a sleek design and a long lifespan, that make them an excellent roofing choice if you are looking for longevity and curb appeal.
Moving Forward With Solar Energy
Tesla’s solarglass roof is an exciting concept. However, it might be better in theory than reality, at least for now.
There are many issues with the new solar roofing system including:
- Not enough product to meet demand, resulting in long wait times
- Lack of qualified installers
- Inconsistent pricing quotes
- History of performance issues with the company’s other solar products
- Performance claims that are not backed up by evidence
Perhaps Tesla can continue to work out the many issues surrounding the solar glass roof to make a more reliable and trustworthy product for the future.
If you're looking to make a transition to solar now, a standing seam roof with solar panels is a dependable alternative that will provide your home with efficiency and curb appeal.
Standing seam is the prominent metal roofing system. This type of roofing offers many benefits besides being highly compatible with solar. It’s an excellent choice if you are looking for a low maintenance roofing system that’s also durable and attractive.
Continue On To Learn More About Standing Seam Metal Roofing
Top Photo Credit: Tesla