Tesla Solar Roof Orders Begin On May 10, Will Be Available Worldwide (#ElonTweets)
Update: Tesla Solar Roof Sales Officially Open With Bold Savings & Durability Claims
Have you been waiting impatiently to place your order for a Tesla Solar Roof, the innovative new product that uses glass tiles with solar cells embedded in them in place of conventional rooftop solar panels (or conventional roof tiles)?
The company originally said its Solar Roof would be available in April but then pushed the timeline back. Now the wait is over. Elon Musk tweeted in the wee hours of Wednesday, May 10: “Tesla solar glass roof orders open this afternoon. I think it will be great. More in about 10 hours …”
The news immediately blew up in the Twittersphere as people rushed to find out more information. What countries are included? What styles are available? Musk went on to provide a few details.
Black glass smooth and textured will be first. Tuscan and French Slate in about six months.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 10, 2017
The first two styles most resemble a conventional roof with asphalt shingles. One of the disadvantages of conventional rooftop solar systems is that they clash with the look of buildings, especially those with historical significance. The solar roof will look more like a normal roof, which should open up the possibility of converting more structures that are subject to historic preservation restrictions to solar power.
The Tuscan style glass tiles will look like the curved terracotta tiles commonly used in sunny areas of the American southwest and in Mediterranean countries. The slate style glass tiles will resemble a traditional slate roof.
Many people asked about availability outside the US and Musk tweeted this answer.
Solar roof can be ordered for almost any country. Deployment this year in the US and overseas next year.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 10, 2017
He also said the Solar Roof would be available in Australia “soon,” but later clarified that meant next year, and in the UK next year as well.
Musk claims the Solar Roof will cost no more than a conventional roof, and no, that does not mean after deducting the value of the electricity it will produce. In a straight-up comparison between a normal shingle roof and the equivalent Solar Roof, the price should be about the same, according to Musk — 20 to 30 years of free electricity is just a bonus.
Pricing details have not been announced, but hiring an electrician to complete the connections or adding a Tesla Powerwall residential storage battery will undoubtedly cost more than the basic roof installations. But Tesla is committed to making things as easy as possible for customers. Once you say yes to a Solar Roof, the company will take care of all the paperwork, permitting, and installation details in one seamless transaction. Expect attractive offers to be available for those who wish to bundle a Powerwall with their Solar Roof.
Related:
Tesla + SolarCity Solar Shingles (+ Video)
Tesla & SolarCity Prepare For World Domination (Original Reporting)
Tesla Accelerating Tesla Solar Sales By Adding Dedicated Staff To All Tesla Stores
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