Tesla Solar Roof frequently asked questions

By Eric Weddle · 5 min read

One of the aspects of our Tesla Solar Roof adventure that we especially enjoy is connecting with so many people on social media who share an interest in technology, renewable energy, and in Tesla products. Your interest and engagement is energizing, and we get some helpful suggestions and questions through these channels. In this post, we answer some of the most frequent questions we get.

How much does Tesla Solar Roof cost?

This is certainly our most frequent question when we highlight a specific project. We wish there was a simpler answer than “it depends,” but Solar Roof projects have far too many variables to give a simple price formula, and out of respect for our clients we cannot disclose individual project pricing. We try to make our estimates as transparent as possible with the configurator on our site, which we keep updated and as close to reality as we can. If you are estimating your project with it, pay close attention to the roof area input, since that is the most common thing people miss. We can help you estimate your roof size if you are not sure.

We are always working to bring costs down as we gain more experience and become more efficient at installation, and we continue to look for opportunities to streamline the supply chain and bring down our own costs.

Does a Solar Roof come with a Powerwall?

If it is a recent job, probably so. Elon Musk announced that all Tesla solar products would be sold with Powerwall, and while that policy applies to Tesla's direct sales, we have been moving in the same direction simply because it makes better long-term sense for most customers. At this point, about 75% of our planned installs include Powerwall. Most utilities have net metering programs that allow homeowners to effectively use the grid as their battery, sharing excess energy during the day and drawing from it at night. However, these programs are often very restrictive on system sizes and are subject to changing regulations.

Do you want to do my showcase project for free exposure?

Hey, shoot your shot! Seriously though, we appreciate everyone's interest and there are definitely some opportunities that are great for getting into new markets, but right now we have plenty of leads and are focused on our core markets and on the operations side of the business.

Do you install Solar Roof in my state?

Maybe. We have completed projects spanning over 1,200 miles from Missouri to Wyoming, and we need to keep our install teams a little closer to their homes. But feel free to reach out to us anyway. We may be able to connect you with a certified installer in your market.

How did you get certified, and what is your relationship with Tesla?

We have a whole blog post about how we got started here. We are an independent certified installer for Tesla Solar Roof and Powerwall. We work very closely with the Tesla team and install according to their specifications as the manufacturer, but we set our own prices and manage each project ourselves. We believe that as an independent installer we benefit from extensive support from Tesla while also having more flexibility to serve our clients in the best way possible.

We are a roofing company. How do we get set up to do this?

Look, we are not anxious to set up competitors in our markets, but we believe the best way for the Solar Roof platform to succeed is to develop many more installers across the country and beyond. If your company is interested in exploring this program, feel free to reach out and we will try to put you in contact with the right people to get started.

A word of caution though: this is not for everyone and, candidly, it is not for the majority of roofing companies in the industry today. Success will require a willingness to invest for the long term, a strong commitment to continual improvement, and immense stubbornness. It also helps if you have good metalworkers and possibly an electrician. Good luck!

Ready to take the leap?

If you feel you are ready to invest in Tesla Solar Roof for your home, contact us. We will give you specifics about how we tailor the Tesla solar system to your home, and whether it is a good fit to begin with. You can also learn more on our Tesla Solar Roof page.