What's happening with Tesla's solar roof?

(electrek.co)

21 points | by LinuxBender 6 hours ago

6 comments

  • theturtle 5 hours ago
    We had rooftop solar installed in early 2024 and went out of our way to not have anything Tesla-related involved, because he sux. As a result, it's powerful and we haven't seen a power bill in months, often feeding many kilowatthours back into the system as excess. You're welcome, nonsolar neighbors.
    • sshine 5 hours ago
      I'd credit the sun, but I totally see how Musk's lack of involvement is the key here.
  • xnx 3 hours ago
    Homeowners are probably realizing solar roofs don't make financial sense unless you're off grid. In that case, you've probably got the space to install them on the ground.
  • jbm 4 hours ago
    "Not selling a lot because expensive". Not very insightful.

    I think it would have been interesting to know more — if it was difficult to replace panels, if there were issues with shading / inverters, or hail resistance or something like that. (Those issues led me to switch to planning a ground mount)

  • jqpabc123 5 hours ago
    Over promise and under deliver --- this is how Musk rolls.
  • crims0n 5 hours ago
    That’s a shame, solar panels bolted onto traditional roofs look so gaudy… solar roofs blend into architecture well.
    • fsh 5 hours ago
      Solar shingles are available from a variety of companies. However, the market success appears to be quite limited. Not too many people are willing to pay a considerable premium for a slight cosmetic advantage.
      • tzs 3 hours ago
        If you need a new roof anyway it might come out ahead.

        I've seen people who were quoted $35k for replacing their roof with a non-solar roof and $50k for a roof with solar shingles. Because the solar shingles were an integral part of the roof the whole roof counted for the 30% federal tax credit, bringing that $50k down to $35k.

        If they had went with the non-solar roof with a separate solar system installed on top of it the tax credit would only cover that system because the roof is not part of the system.

    • chneu 4 hours ago
      I really don't even notice them anymore. Most installs nowadays fill as much of the roof as possible, so it just looks like the roof to most people.