Tesla Solar Roof review: As expensive as it looks

The Tesla Solar Roof is where elegance meets energy, solar meets subtlety, and your budget meets the exosphere. It’s undeniably attractive and performs adequately, though Tesla's transparency on its specifications is lacking. It’s also way more expensive than its solar panel counterpart. 

Catering primarily to Tesla enthusiasts and those who prioritize aesthetics over budget, the Solar Roof is an alluring alternative if you want the benefits of solar without the "look" of solar. Just be prepared to pay a pretty penny for it. You can usually install a comparable solar panel system at a considerably lower cost. 

Tesla envisions a future of total clean, renewable energy integration, with the Solar Roof playing a pivotal role. However, the company has faced challenges in expediting installations. Let’s take a look at some key specs and features, competitors, and why you may or may not be a good fit for the Tesla Solar Roof.

Tesla’s aim with the Solar Roof is to mainstream solar by removing any aesthetic concerns homeowners may have. The Solar Roof is a premium building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product that takes the functionality of solar panels and integrates it into roof shingles. That’s fancy speak for solar shingles—instead of traditional panels, the Solar Roof uses small solar panels designed to look and act like conventional shingles. 

Most people opt for the Solar Roof for the curb appeal. Rather than bolting solar panels on top of your roof, the sleek-looking Tesla Solar Roof is your roof. However, solar shingles have a considerably lower output than their panel counterparts and are generally more expensive.

Tesla Solar Roof tiles

For solar shingles or panels, the most important specs to watch are:

• Efficiency: How well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into electricity for your home, expressed as a percentage (i.e., 22.2%). The higher, the better. 

• Temperature coefficient: How well your solar panels perform in less-than-ideal conditions, expressed as a percentage per degree (i.e., 0.34% / °C). The lower, the better. 

• Warranty: Guarantees that the company will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Warranties also guarantee a certain amount of production throughout the 25+ year term.

Unfortunately, Tesla hasn’t disclosed the efficiency of its Solar Roof tiles. This lack of transparency is disappointing, especially considering this product has been on the market for seven years. 

Tesla Solar Roof vs. other popular brands

Though the buzz around Tesla's illustrious roof product can make it appear like a new concept, it’s not. The development of solar roof tiles and shingles has been evolving for years.

You want to integrate other Tesla products with your solar system

Tesla products are designed to integrate together. Tesla Solar Roofs come paired with the Tesla Powerwall battery as a solar-plus-storage solution, which can also be paired with your Tesla electric vehicle (EV) charger. You can monitor and optimize your EV, charger, solar, and storage systems in one central location—the Tesla app. 

After one year of use, experienced YouTuber Marques Brownlee posted an in-depth review of his 29.3-kilowatt Solar Roof. Overall, his testament echoes that of others who are pleased with the Solar Roof. He admits that his Solar Roof was a premium purchase for which he paid nearly $100,000. But to him, the benefits of seamless integration with his Tesla vehicle, EV charger, and Powerwall batteries outweighed the extra cost. 

You’re a fan of the Tesla aesthetic

The Tesla Solar Roof definitely delivers the sleek, minimalist look the company is known for.  Sure, you can install a solar panel system for a fraction of the cost, but it’s hard to compete with Tesla’s subtlety and aesthetically pleasing design. Just as Tesla doesn't make electric vehicles for the masses, Tesla's Solar Roof caters to style enthusiasts and early adopters willing to spend the extra money. 

You’re building a new house or need to replace your roof

Unlike other solar shingles, Tesla's roof tiles are designed to completely replace your existing roof. As a result, the most cost-effective way to install them is when you’re building your home or your roof is due for replacement. 

If you have a relatively small and not too complex roof (more on that below) that you already need to replace, the price of a Solar Roof will probably be pretty comparable to that of a new asphalt roof installation plus solar panels.

You’re on a budget

It’s difficult to estimate the cost of a Tesla Solar Roof given the number of unique factors involved, but we can confidently say that it’s a premium purchase. Installing a Tesla Solar Roof can easily be a six-figure investment. 

In California, Tesla estimates that the Solar Roof costs about $45 per square foot and $3.90 per watt. Based on these numbers, the most expensive solar panel brand on EnergySage costs almost 40 cents less per watt than the Tesla Solar Roof. And this is just the starting cost—your total price will likely be higher once you factor in the size and complexity of your roof.

You have a complex roof

The cost for an already-expensive Tesla Solar Roof skyrockets as you increase your roof’s size and/or complexity. An on-site assessment determines the complexity of your installation, but in general, it’s based on the following criteria:

• Simple: Single-level roof, uncrowded mounting planes, few obstructions (pipes, chimneys, skylights), low-pitch

• Intermediate: Multi-level roof (roof sections built on multiple stories of your house), more crowded mounting plane, more obstructions (pipes, chimneys, skylights), higher pitch

• Complex: Multi-level roof (roof sections built on multiple stories of your house), heavily crowded mounting plane, many obstructions (pipes, chimneys, skylights), steep pitch

ROI is your priority

The cost of solar is directly tied to how well a solar panel produces electricity. Despite launching its Solar Roof seven years ago, Tesla still hasn't revealed the shingles' efficiency—one of the most important factors impacting your return on investment (ROI). 

Tesla’s opaque nature regarding its products’ specifications makes it difficult to assess your investment and make an informed purchase decision. Without Tesla’s data, we estimate that typical solar shingle brands range from 14-18% efficiency. Comparatively, most solar panels are 22-23% efficient. In an industry where a new record for solar panel efficiency is set frequently, the Tesla Solar Roof is not a top performer. 

You need to install your system promptly

Tesla Solar Roof installations aren’t known for their reliability. Since its introduction in 2016, the Solar Roof has experienced significant setbacks that have delayed its design, production, and deployment. 

At first, Elon Musk had big ambitions for the Solar Roof, but he’s changed his tune more than once. Tesla initially started taking orders in May of 2017, only to release a vague statement in late 2018 that they won’t be widely installed for a long time. Tesla made progress on Solar Roof installations by 2020, but many customers still experienced delays and a lack of transparency from Tesla. 

Redditers seem to agree that while they were pleased with the Solar Roof once it was up and running, the installation process was frustrating and time-consuming. 

You’re looking for top-notch customer service 

The same Reddit thread from above revealed that customers experienced delays in repairs to their Solar Roofs, with some waiting a month or more for a response from Tesla. Tesla doesn’t have the best reputation for customer service in general, so unfortunately, this tracks.

If you're set on the look and have the capital to cover the cost, the Tesla Solar Roof system may be your best choice (though we always suggest comparing your options). It seems to perform adequately and is backed by a good warranty. If performance is your priority, Tesla is not for you. If that's the case, you’d be better off exploring Maxeon or REC Group solar panels.