One of the first known Tesla Solar Roof residential customers has shed some light on the process for installing the unique energy producing glass roof tiles, and its costs. In a conversation with Alex Guberman of YouTube’s E for Electric, Tri Huynh provided several insights on the novel photovoltaic system beyond installation and cost, including the wait time involved, and reaction to the Solar Roof from his neighbors.
According to Huynh, he immediately signed up for the Solar Roof in the Textured finish as soon as they became available, considering his house needed a new roof and he was on the market for a solar system. Huynh further noted that Tesla first reached out to him about a year later, stating that they wanted to do a site survey. The site survey involved two people from Tesla analyzing the details of his roof, including its orientation to the sun, and determining the best system for it. According to Huynh, Tesla also deployed a drone to survey the surrounding area.
The installation involved a surprising 20 people who worked on the Solar Roof for two weeks. Part of the reason why it took so long to get the system installed was due to bad weather. Huynh noted that Tesla is probably still optimizing the ideal number of people it needs to deploy when installing its photovoltaic glass roof tiles.
According to the Solar Roof customer, the difference in price between the photovoltaic system and a traditional roof is substantial. Thus, he does not recommend the tiles for those who are financially-sensitive.
“It’s definitely a premium product. Luckily, I could afford it, so I did it, But the difference is substantial. So if someone is money-sensitive or financially-sensitive, I wouldn’t recommend it,” Huynh said.
Nevertheless, Huynh noted that he loves his Solar Roof tiles and that they are perfect for him. He also stated that his community’s reaction to the Solar Roof tiles has been very positive.
“I’m a big technology guy, and I kinda wanted to be on the front of this. It just looks amazing, and it’s just what I want. So luckily, it worked out for me.
“They (the neighbors) think it’s amazing. They love it, and they asked a lot of questions. During the install, people would walk their dogs here constantly, and just stay here for 20 mins watching everyone install it and talking to the installers, so it’s very cool,” Huynh said.
During the tiles’ unveiling, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the Solar Roof tiles could turn out to be a “Keeping up with the Joneses” situation. If Huynh’s experience is any indication, it appears that Musk’s statements would ring true.
“You want to call your neighbors over and say, ‘Check out the sweet roof.’ It’s like, not a phrase that you hear often, but that’s the key to it. People really care about their homes; they love their homes, and they want them to be better,” Musk said.
Solar Roof installations began last year, though the system was only installed in the homes of Tesla’s executives, such as Elon Musk and JB Straubel, and later, to some of the company’s other employees. Considering that Tesla seems to be starting the installation of the solar tiles for residential customers, as well as reports that its solar factory in Buffalo, NY is ramping up hiring, it appears like the Elon Musk-led energy company is finally accelerating the rollout of its Solar Roof tiles.
Watch E for Electric’s interview with Tri Huynh in the video below.
Interested in solar? Get a solar cost estimate and find out how much a solar system would cost for your home or business.
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0 likes 7 days ago
How about decoding the real numbers this guy gives for us?
Total system cost?
System size.
Production estimates.
Cost per kwhr.
Payback cost and time..
Return on investment.
Why is it necessary for me to look at a YouTube video to get that ?
I doubt I will ever remove my existing roof panels or roof for a TESLA tile roof.. I am in a blue collar area where that extravagance would never bring an equal return in property resale value vs. similar homes on the market.
Beware to not over indulge and chase returns one will never realize.
My current 10.01k panel arrays make 14000 kwhrs a year, I knew how much they cost and efficiency upfront because all were ahead of time…
That’s what’s really attractive to me since I don’t see my panels from inside my home and don’t give a rat’s backside about what other’s see as my meter turns in my favor each day.
I believe my new home buyer will agree once they see my monthly $30 average bill electric bill. Remember, I charge my TESLA MS 90D here to the tune of 4000 kwhrs a year..
Does TELSA have numbers on time degradation of their tiles or offer the industry standard 25 year production numbers?
Was this an outright purchase or a PPA agreement?
Who maintains those tiles and the energy hardware?
One has to have ALL the info before moving forward on a project like that.
Not clicking on any YouTube videos posted here anymore..
I feel like I am being manipulated by half complete articles to drive site revenue for YouTube posters.
0 likes 7 days ago
As for the early Tesla vehicles, the bleeding edge buyers are not so much cost insensitive as they are interested in promoting a good thing by supporting it. Essentially, we view this kind of purchase as a way to get the coolest new stuff for ourselves while donating toward more affordable and widespread applications. It’s an investment we make without hope of return, so that is very much a «donation.»
0 likes 7 days ago
Elsewhere, it’s been reported that Tesla quotes about $22 per square foot, while admitting that the solar generating parts are more like double that, but would be used on a fraction of the roof. Since the non-generating parts are not free, it seems they are suggesting well under half the roof would be generating, which implies not on the «north facing» parts of the roof, and only on a fraction of the south facing part. This article should have compared actual costs with this estimate and also given the fraction of the roof that will (eventually) be generating. It would be helpful to have actual costs (installed) separately for the generating and non-generating tiles, but Tesla may not have divulged that to anyone. Transparency is not Tesla’s strong suit.
As for the early Tesla vehicles, the bleeding edge buyers are not so much cost insensitive as they are interested in promoting a good thing by supporting it. Essentially, we view this kind of purchase as a way to get the coolest new stuff for ourselves while donating toward more affordable and widespread applications. It’s an investment we make without hope of return, so that is very much a «donation.»
Interesting take. «claim» in quote is nice touch.. honest..
I hope I get into the elite donators level some day
I see roughly $125,000 there with the sheathing upgraded beneath
..and further assuming the roof sub structure is code ready for the weight and possible snow load..
$105,000 w/o
One heck of a donation!
Bit I guess 30% can still come off under the federal tax rebate..
Take care
0 likes 6 days ago
