Tesla’s taking orders for its “solar roof” – tiles which generate energy from the sun without the need for traditional roof-top panels.
It’s part of Elon Musk’s company’s aim to accelerate the world’s transition to a sustainable energy future under its electric car brand.
The solar roof tiles, which will be available in most countries, were revealed in October. From the ground, the energy generating ones are almost indistinguishable from non-energy tiles in the same package.
Two types available for pre-order are the “smooth” and “textured” glass tile, while Tuscan and French slate styles should be available by the end of the year.
Customers can select how many solar tiles they need based on their home’s electricity consumption. For example, households that charge an electric vehicle every day may want more solar tiles on their roof, Tesla says.
The solar tiles are more expensive up front, but the cost can be more than offset by the value of energy the tiles produce, the firm says. “In many cases, the reduction in a home’s electricity bill over time will be greater than the cost of the roof.”
Solar energy can be generated, stored and used day and night, providing uninterrupted power even if the grid goes down, Tesla says.
A typical US homeowner can expect to pay US$21.85 per square foot (A$29.70 per 0.09 square metres) for “Solar Roof”, it says.
Tesla’s created a Solar Roof calculator so homeowners can estimate the roof’s upfront price as well as the value of the energy it can generate for their home, factoring in things like roof size, the average local price of electricity, and how much sunlight is received.
Tesla says the tiles are more than three times stronger than standard roofing tiles, yet half the weight and do not degrade over time like asphalt or concrete. The glass itself “will come with a warranty for the lifetime of your house, or infinity, whichever comes first”, the company says.
US installations are expected to start in about July with installations outside the US beginning in 2018.
