Go Solar, Go Tesla: What You Need to Know

If you’re looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, lower monthly utility costs, and play a role in transforming your neighborhood into a more eco-friendly and sustainable community, there are a number of options available to you. And you’ll find solar power somewhere at the top of that list.

Tesla Making Solar More Practical Than Ever

Over the past decade, we’ve seen a major shift and concerted effort toward solar power in residential applications. The only problem is that most of this growth has occurred in select cities – namely on the West Coast and down here in parts of Florida. Getting the rest of the country to adapt has been a slower process – namely because of the reputation and assumed shortcomings that exist with solar panels.

For years, the majority of homeowners have put off solar for one or more of the following reasons:

High cost. To be fair, solar power has traditionally been very expensive (in terms of the upfront cost). And while the long-term payback has always been robust, there’s always the chance that you could move out before you break even, which leaves a lot of money on the table. Today, costs have finally leveled out to a point where it makes financial sense to invest.
Ugly aesthetic. If you find typical solar panels visually off-putting, you aren’t alone. For many people, this is the biggest strike against solar. They like the idea but aren’t super jazzed up about the execution. But...again...things are changing for the better.
Confusion. Finally, there’s always been a lot of confusion regarding how solar is created, how it’s stored, who owns the panels, where utility companies come into play, etc. And we’re just now starting to see more simplification and clarity in this area.

While these challenges have historically plagued the industry, Tesla is reinventing this space and bringing a new sense of clarity to the solar industry. This includes significant advances in technology, pricing, aesthetics, and simplicity.

Exploring Tesla’s Three Flagship Home Products

Is there anything that Tesla doesn’t do? The company has already revolutionized auto manufacturing and space travel. But it’s their solar technology that could have the most noticeable impact on everyday life in the United States.

Here are the three flagship home products that Tesla is currently offering:

Tesla Solar Roof Tiles

As mentioned above, the biggest knock against solar is that it looks clunky and out of place. And that’s because traditional solar powers are manufactured by engineers – not home designers. But Tesla is once again rewriting the way we experience everyday items. This time it’s solar panels.

The Tesla solar roof is basically a roofing tile system that looks much like a traditional roofing system. But instead of using asphalt shingles or clay tiles, it uses a proprietary material that has solar cells embedded within it. When all of these cells link together, they form a system that’s strong enough to power your entire house.

Aside from looking good, Tesla solar roof tiles are long-lasting (they come with a 25-year warranty) and cost-effective. As of last year, Tesla is now “one-third less expensive than the industry average” and getting cheaper.

After the Federal Tax Credit, the cost comes in at $7,400 for the small roof (4.1 kW), $11,840 for the medium roof (8.2 kW), $17,390 for the large roof (12.2 kW), and $22,200 for the extra large roof (16.3 kW). And while those prices might sound high for a roof, you have to remember the cost savings on the back end. At an average net savings of several hundred dollars per month, the break-even (compared to a traditional roof) is only a few years.

Tesla Powerwalls

Okay, so what happens when the power goes out? Well, with Tesla Powerwall, you’ll be the only house on the block with 100 percent of your home’s power capabilities.

Powerwall is basically a sophisticated, standalone battery that stores the energy harvested by Tesla solar roof tiles. It can detect outages and automatically become your home’s primary energy source when the rest of the grid goes down. And unlike a noisy, gasoline-powered generator, the Powerwall is silent and requires no upkeep. (It’s also compact and can be mounted in a variety of spaces – including inside or outside.)

Tesla Solar Panels

Don’t need an entirely new roof? Tesla also has more traditional solar panels for existing roofs.

Not only do Tesla solar panels look better than most brands on the market, but they also have a price match guarantee that ensures homeowners get the best possible price on the market.

With a low-profile design, concealed edges, and no visible grid, it’s possible to get traditional solar capabilities without an atrocious eyesore. And just like the Tesla solar roof tiles, you can hook your Tesla solar panels up to the Powerwall.

Is it Time to Go Solar?

There will always be situations where solar isn’t the best option, but the number of detracting factors is slipping away by the day. Tesla has made incredible strides in the last couple of years. It’s now possible to have solar, save money, and still maintain the aesthetic integrity of your property.

Another selling point of going with Tesla is the ease of ordering and installation. You can complete most of the process online and don’t have to worry about tons of appointments and consultations. The Tesla team is able to reference aerial images of your roof and do most of the work offsite. This ensures installation goes off without a hitch. (Weather-permitting, of course!)

Find a Solar Home

If you’re looking for a solar home in Palm Beach County, Broward County, or Miami-Dade County, you’re in the right place. And at LiveModern, we’d be happy to streamline that search on your behalf so that you can zero in on the perfect property for you and yours.

Posted by Emily Sehres on October 25th, 2021

Tips + Tricks