Tesla is hoping to do the same for home energy that they did for cars: create a more eco-friendly version of an essential item that people need every day and transform it into a powerful status symbol at the same time.
That has some serious implications for roofers because their home energy solution is solar roof panels. So what do contractors and roofers need to know about Tesla roofs?
In this article, we’ll cover all of the essential information about Tesla roofs for industry professionals.
What Are Tesla Roofs and Can I Install Them?
Tesla Roofs are roof shingles made by Tesla, commonly known as the leading manufacturer of electric cars, that can generate energy.
Tesla installs the solar shingles in place of regular roofing shingles (alongside inactive matching shingles). This is the key difference between Tesla roofs and standard solar panels: standard solar panels are installed on top of regular roofs, while Tesla’s are the roof.
Tesla has begun to work with outside contractors to install their solar roofs to get them installed sooner on more homes. They offer training for current roofers, contractors, and electricians living and working in one of 17 states currently.
Tesla Roofs from a Consumer Standpoint
The chances are probably strong that you’ve run into questions from customers about Tesla Roof. Let’s look at some answers to their most common questions.
How Much Do They Cost?
Tesla roofs are certainly more expensive than regular roofs or solar panels. Tesla itself has stated that the entire roof—after-tax incentives—will cost around $40,000 (including installation). The cost of Tesla’s Powerwall battery, which customers are also required to buy, is included in that estimate.
That cost is significantly more than the cost of a new roof and traditional solar panels.
How Much Energy Do They Power?
Keep in mind that only some of the panels on a Tesla roof produce power; the others are just inactive look-alikes.
The amount of power generated by the Tesla roof varies depending on the size of the roof, energy needs of the home, amount of sunshine, and other factors. However, it is at least as efficient as traditional solar panels.
What About Maintenance?
Beyond regular cleaning, Tesla roofs don’t require a lot of additional maintenance. However, Tesla recommends that owners find someone certified by Tesla itself to perform any maintenance or repairs.
Tesla Roof Installation
The installation process is of greatest interest to contractors and roofers, so let’s take a closer look.
How It’s Installed
Tesla roof installation typically takes only one day. You’ll need a sturdy single-layer roof in good condition underneath, and then both wired and inactive matching tiles are installed on top of that.
Those tiles are wired to a solar inverter which then connects to the Powerwall to deliver energy to the home.
Learning to Install Tesla Roofs
The only way to really learn how to install Tesla roofs is to go through Tesla’s training program itself.
In order to be authorized to install these roofs, you must work for Tesla or for a company that Tesla has approved, or you can get authorized yourself. You cannot purchase the roofs from Tesla unless you are a consumer or a partner.
That said, there may be other ways to get in on the game.
Other Opportunities for Contractors
Of course, there are other ways to service Tesla roof owners:
- Familiarize yourself with Tesla’s needs for current roofing: Necessary repairs or upgrades to current roofs often cause delays for homeowners who have purchased a Tesla roof. If you can become an expert in what they need, you can offer that specific service.
- Same with electric: Owners of Tesla roofs report having to have upgrades to or an entire replacement of their electrical systems.
- Washing: Washing is one of the few maintenance tasks that non-Tesla partners can do.
- Servicing the roof underneath: If you can tell potential customers that you’re familiar with their Tesla roof (a very expensive investment), they will likely be more comfortable trusting you to do some of their other roofing work.
- Continue installing roofs and solar panels: Keep in mind—for both yourself and customers—that this is a much less expensive option.
Will Tesla Roofs Change Roofing in the Future?
We wish we had a crystal ball and could say for sure. More than likely, energy and environmental changes will likely shake up every industry, not just roofing.
Whether Tesla roofs are the way of the future or a temporary fix until something better comes along remains to be seen.
What is for sure is the importance of staying on top of these trends so that you can be a leader within your industry.
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