I’ve been slowly researching off-grid power solutions the past month or two again and I was immediately disheartened at how costly it all is, especially if you want to include a battery bank. Granted, there have been quite a few innovations in the solar power market lately with the wider use of lithium batteries, for example, but I’m becoming more interested in Tesla’s solarglass roof concept. After all, your home’s roof is typically wasted space which makes this idea much more appealing than an array of solar panels taking up space on your property.
Aside from their clean slate tile look, durability, and efficiency, I was intrigued to see that Tesla had reduced the price of their solar roof tiles to cost less than the average solar panel per watt produced by traditional solar panels; however, a Tesla solarglass roof will still cost you about double what you would pay for an equivalent number of traditional solar panel power. Why? Because you’re actually paying for a new roof installation if you purchase a Tesla solar roof. As such, if you’re actually in need of a new roof AND you want to invest in solar, then the Tesla solarglass roof may be a good option.
Of course, if you want battery back up like many of us preppers do then you’re going to have to fork out a sizeable investment in their powerwalls. Currently, it still looks like the traditional solar panels are the way to go from a cost perspective, but if Tesla keeps innovating and reducing the cost of their roof over the next several years, I can see this really taking off.
Here’s a good video of one man’s experience with the Tesla solar roof after a year in operation. Even if you don’t go completely off grid, it could be a great way to reduce your yearly energy bill quite substantially…
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