Tesla Is Now Offering Solar Panels—Good Or Bad?
A cost effective solution for homeowners looking for solar? Well, it might come with a baggage you don’t want. Tesla is partnering with SolarRidge to bring cost effective solar systems to homeowners.
Without space between the solar panels and the roof, they can potentially overheat and underproduce. During summer hours, this can transfer more heat into your attic or upstairs portion of your house, leading to extra energy needed to cool your house, leading to even less efficiency. Tesla seeks for a sleeker design in this regard, which aligns with their style. However, I think this is a hinderance of efficiency more than it is a benefit.
The article does not state much about specifics of the system. Price? Nothing. Max system size? Nope. A 25 year warranty and production guarantee is stated as a benefit, but no percentage is given. Tesla’s website claims they are 400W panels, which is below typical output for panels from our panel partner, REC Group.
Like typical Tesla things, they strive for a sector of the market that yearns for a “sleek” and aesthetic appearance while maintaining a low cost (similar to IKEA’s segmentation with stylish, yet unbuilt furniture). This usually comes at the loss of durability and quality. A simple search on the internet for durability tests on their cars reveals they like to cut corners on certain aspects of production (not all, but some). More specifically, they mostly try to maintain a certain look to their products, skimping on durability, build quality, and materials.
“J.D. Power and Consumer Reports both rank Tesla at the bottom of the pack when reliability is tested.” topspeed.com
Clicking on the source reveals lots of evidence to not consider a Tesla, even though you might think they’re “cool”. Consumer Reports reveals beyond-flunking score across all models for Tesla’s cars. (topspeed.com)
Let me end all of this by saying this is a blog post. It’s my opinion. Go buy a Tesla if you want one. Go buy their panels, too. I don’t care. It’s your house and your money.
If you want to learn why you should consider REC panels and a trust local solar company, consider reaching out to me for a discussion.
Also, as I always like to remind homeowners—your electric bill dies with you. You can’t escape it. Why guess what you’re going to need to shell out for next month when energy independence provides you and your family with savings, stability, and predictability in your electric bill.
-Noah Koppenhaver | Solar Professional