Tesla will begin selling and installing residential solar panels in 2017, the global leader in the electric vehicle market announced in its letter to investors in the fourth quarter of last year.
It is worth noting that the company introduced this product in October 2016 – and in less than a month Tesla invested 2.1 billion in its friendly SolarCity (the latter is managed by Lyndon Reeve, Elon Musk's cousin). “It looks like a pretty promising investment,” Musk commented on the move, adding that a new solar roof could be even cheaper than installing a conventional tile roof. Here's what we know about the new solar energy source:
Tesla will offer 4 roof tiles to suit different architectural styles to “save people from the look of dull solar panels.”
Here's one of Tesla's textured roof options.
See how it reflects light?
All solar cells are behind stylized glass tiles
Indeed, you cannot tell the difference between a regular roof and a solar one from Tesla. This is the whole point of the project: to create something visually attractive and at the same time effective.
Elon has repeatedly stressed the importance of competition on an aesthetic level when it comes to how ordinary people perceive his new product.
“Firstly, I have never seen a sun roof that I really wanted to buy … they were all ugly,” Musk said at a conference on November 1.
He was seen to be very excited talking about the French-style tiles, calling them 'the most technically challenging'. The next photo shows the active element hidden in the tiles.
“I have a typical roof of the common American French slate at home, so it was one of the styles I most wanted to recreate. – added the entrepreneur at the same conference – And we were able to do it, although it took a lot of effort. '
At the event, it was revealed that each tile in the notorious French style was made using a process known as hydrographic painting. He uses water to paint. A new division of Tesla Glass will be responsible for the hydrographic process.
While Musk has stated that a solar roof could be cheaper than a regular rooftop, he did not provide specific prices. But SolarCity CEO Lyndon Reeve said at the same conference on November 1 that “in the future, the company will be able to achieve 40 cents per watt for the solar cells it produces, which is a very competitive price.”
“We will have the world's best cells at the lowest price tag,” echoed colleague Musk. “We already have affordable solar cells with the world's highest energy storage density.”
Also, in addition to the aforementioned French tiles, …
… smooth glass tiles and …
… A Tuscan style roof.
There are no technical differences between them, they differ only in their appearance. However, if you will not see black solar panels on the French tiles from whatever side you look, then with the rest of the types of coverage, everything is a little different:
The high durability of the tiles deserves a special mention – you can walk on them just like on a regular roof!
In addition, the tiles will have a built-in heating element that will help melt the snow that interferes with the collection of electricity in the winter season.
The solar panels will be produced at a plant in Buffalo (New York). Tesla and Panasonic will begin a partnership in mid-2017, with the Buffalo plant being considered Gigafactory 2.
Musk's solar roof is one of several Tesla energy products being promoted in conjunction with SolarCity. Tesla also sells the Powerwall 2 stationary home batteries and the much larger and more expensive Powerpack 2 for commercial use.