Gwen Heather en Roofing Tips, home improvement 9/11/2016 · 1 min de lectura · ~100

Tesla enters the solar roofing market

Tesla enters the solar roofing market

Solar roofing is nothing new. Solar panels that are installed on top of an existing roof to generate electricity for the home have been around for years. The industry was revolutionized recently when solar shingles were developed. Unlike solar panels which must be installed onto an already existing roof, solar shingles have photovoltaic cells built directly into them. Because poor aesthetics was a major factor for many not wanting solar roofing, solar shingles made it a much more tempting option.

Now, Tesla, the automaker famous for its electric cars has just entered the solar shingles market.

How do Tesla’s shingles compare?

Tesla’s solar shingles are manufactured from extremely tough glass. They should hold up better than tile, and slate shingles which are known for being the most durable roofing materials (though impact damage is their primary weakness). They have an expected life expectancy of about 50 years which is 2-3 times more than that 20-year life cycle that most roofs are rated for.

As for solar roofing panels, Tesla’s solar shingles aren’t as energy efficient, yet. They achieve 98% of the efficiency of solar panels so it’s very close and Tesla is already working on a coating that would allow more light into the shingles but refract light trying to leave it. Soon the solar shingles may be even more energy efficient than solar panels.


In addition to announcing their entrance into the solar roofing market, Tesla also announced a new product called a Powerwall which can be mounted in the garage. It can store excess energy beyond what is needed to power the home. It can be used as a backup for overcast days and Tesla vehicles can be plugged into it to charge the battery.

Not for everyone

Of course, solar still isn’t for everyone even with Tesla’s big reveal. They still haven’t found a way to make solar shingles energy efficient in rainy climates that don’t see much sun. If you are looking for an energy efficient roof in the Spokane area, find a Spokane roofing company with experience in metal roofing since it’s one of the most energy efficient roofing materials you can buy that isn’t solar powered.

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