How Much Does a Tesla Solar Roof Cost in 2023?

A Tesla solar roof offers an alternative to traditional solar panel systems. Instead of installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on a racking system, you use roof shingles with built-in solar cells for a sleeker look. Based on our research, a Tesla solar roof costs around $6.40 per watt, or anywhere from $32,000 to $64,000, depending on your system size. 

We at the MarketWatch Guides Team have reviewed the cost of going solar nationwide based on in-depth research, homeowner surveys and discussions with industry experts. Learn about the cost of a Tesla solar roof and how to combine it with other products, such as the company’s electric vehicle chargers (EV) and Tesla Powerwall batteries, for additional energy savings.

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The main factor that determines the cost of a solar system with traditional panels is the installed capacity, measured in kilowatts (kW). For example, the national average cost of a solar energy system is $2.85 per watt, so a 6 kW system would cost $17,094 before incentives.

When installing a Tesla solar roof, upfront costs depend on your system wattage, roof size and roof complexity. This means that solar roofs with the same power output can have different prices.

Tesla’s website has a solar roof calculator, where you can input the coordinates of your home for an automatic cost estimate. As you might expect, pricing varies depending on your roof conditions and project location. However, according to EnergySage, Tesla solar roofs have an average cost of $6.40 per watt.

In terms of cost per watt, the Tesla solar shingle roof is around 125% more expensive than a traditional solar system. However, you are also getting a new roof for your home. Here’s what that means:

• The Tesla roof is cost-effective if you want to use renewable energy but also need a roof replacement.
• If you don’t need a new roof, solar panels have lower installation costs and a higher return on investment.

Tesla also makes solar panels if you don’t need to replace your current roof and prefer a more traditional system. Tesla has a price-match guarantee, which means the company will match competing solar offers of similar quality. Tesla began selling solar panels in 2016 after Elon Musk acquired SolarCity and reorganized the company into Tesla’s energy division.

The following table compares the costs of a Tesla solar roof versus traditional solar panels. We based Tesla solar roof costs on a price point of $6.40 per watt. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) 2022 Market Insight Report, the average cost of solar panels is $3.25 per watt. While we used this figure to determine the following cost estimates, Tesla’s exact pricing may vary.

As you can see, installing a solar system with traditional panels is cheaper than a solar roof. But the cost may be comparable if you need a new roof with your solar panel installation. It can cost between $8,500 and $15,000 to replace a 2,000-square-foot roof, meaning your total cost could reach upwards of $35,000 with a 6 kW solar system. In this case, a Tesla roof of the same wattage is only slightly more expensive at $38,400.

If you choose a Tesla roof, you will work with a single provider that offers a 25-year warranty. While some solar companies offer roofing services, you will likely have to work with separate companies if you need a roof replacement with regular panels, and the PV system may negatively impact the roof warranty.

Your total cost will also depend on your system components. Both Tesla solar shingles and panels are compatible with the Powerwall battery, which has an energy storage capacity of 13.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh). While installing a battery can save you money on electricity in the long run, it adds to your total system cost.

• A Tesla Powerwall costs around $9,200 without installation, and the price increases to $18,400 if you purchase two units.
• These prices apply if you purchase a battery directly from Tesla, but can increase to around $11,500 with added installation.

Like a traditional PV system, a Tesla solar roof reduces your monthly energy bills over the system’s 25-year life expectancy. Here’s a quick savings breakdown:

• With favorable sunshine conditions, each kilowatt of solar capacity can yield over 1,500 kWh per year. This means a 6 kW solar roof can generate over 9,000 kWh of energy each year.
• According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, homeowners pay an average electric tariff of 15.85 cents per kWh.
• At this price, 9,000 kWh of solar generation can save you over $1,420 on energy bills per year.

The exact savings achieved by a solar roof vary depending on local sunshine conditions and electricity prices. For example, California has an average electricity price of 27.15 cents per kWh, so 9,000 kWh of solar generation could save over $2,440 in annual electricity bills.

Solar roofs and traditional panels offer a higher return on investment (ROI) when your installer sizes your system according to your home’s energy needs. In states with net metering policies, electricity companies purchase surplus energy generated by solar power systems, giving you a power bill credit in return. However, compensation rates vary by state and do not always equal the full electricity rate.

Tesla uses durable roofing materials, including steel roofing tiles. The company also covers solar shingles with a 25-year product warranty, the same warranty term included when you purchase its solar panels. With warranty coverage, you will not have to worry about paying for defects related to panel design and materials. This means you can expect your solar panels to produce enough energy to generate savings for over two decades.

Solar roof shingles have minimal maintenance needs and no moving parts subject to mechanical wear. However, Tesla recommends you have professionals clean your solar roof regularly. Dust accumulation can make solar shingles less productive by blocking sunlight from reaching their surface. While prices may vary for solar roofs, it generally costs around $150 to $300 to clean traditional solar panels.

Tesla roofs use a combination of glass solar tiles and non-solar or inactive steel shingles, which look identical. Your installer will place the glass solar shingles on roof areas that receive plenty of sunshine and cover the rest of your roof with the inactive shingles. Watch for trees and other obstructions that could shade your solar shingles over time. Shadows can drastically reduce the productivity of any solar power system, and you may notice a drop in your monthly savings as a result.

Like a normal PV system, the Tesla roof uses an inverter to convert power output from direct current (DC) to the alternating current (AC) required to power your appliances. The Tesla solar inverter has a warranty period of 12.5 years, which is half as long as its solar roof warranty. This means you will eventually need a replacement inverter, which can cost $1,000 to $2,000 or more.

Like other residential solar systems, a Tesla solar roof is eligible for the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). But there is an important difference in how to calculate the federal solar tax credit for each type of system.

• When you install traditional solar panels, you can include all project costs when calculating the 30% tax credit.
• When you install a solar roof, you can only count the cost of the photovoltaic components toward the credit. The solar tax incentive does not cover traditional roofing materials that only serve a structural purpose.

A Tesla roof may qualify for other clean energy incentives and rebates, depending on where you live. Tesla’s website features a list of financial incentives you can apply to its products by state.

Tesla also offers a solar financing program, which is available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont and Washington.

Tesla offers high-end solar energy products with some of the best warranties in the industry. The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has mixed customer reviews, but overall ratings reflect the company as a whole, not just solar.

We compiled the below reviews to give you an idea of the Tesla customer experience. Reviews reflect solar products as a whole, not just solar roofs. While some customers seem generally satisfied with the company’s level of customer service, others mentioned communication and installation issues.

At around $6.40 per watt, the Tesla solar roof costs more than a traditional PV system — but you are also getting a new roof. Based on our research, a Tesla solar roof can cost anywhere from $32,000 to $64,000, depending on your system size. Residential solar panels are a more affordable option if your roof is in good condition and does not need a replacement.

Your installation will include a roof assessment to ensure your provider can properly secure your solar panels. A 2,000-square-foot traditional roof can cost upwards of $15,000 if you need a replacement, bringing your total project costs to $30,000 or more when you add the solar PV system. A Tesla roof may make more sense financially if you are in this situation.

Solar shingles and panels have comparable lifespans of 25 years or more, and the best solar companies offer 25-year warranty coverage to protect your investment over time. When choosing between solar panels and a Tesla roof, there is also a subjective factor — appearance. Tesla roofs use solar and non-solar shingles that look identical, an attractive option for homeowners who don’t like the appearance of bulky solar panels.

Leonardo David is an electromechanical engineer, MBA, energy consultant and technical writer. His energy-efficiency and solar consulting experience covers sectors including banking, textile manufacturing, plastics processing, pharmaceutics, education, food processing, real estate and retail. He has also been writing articles about energy and engineering topics since 2015.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.