After Tesla shareholders voted in favor of acquiring SolarCity for $2 billion, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the Tesla-SolarCity roof will, in all likelihood, costs less to install than a normal roof.
Musk claims on Thursday that even without the power it can generate, the Solar Roof will actually cost less including the cost of labor. The choice he proposes is that if a homeowner would like a 'normal roof' or one that looks better, lasts twice as long, costs less, and generates electricity. He asks, "Why would you get anything else?" Business Insider reported.
During Tesla's Oct. 28 event, Musk unveiled four solar-shingles type options that incorporated glass developed by the company's new glass division. Musk plans to produce the solar cells for use with the Solar Roof in partnership with Panasonic that will manufacture the items in a facility in Buffalo New York.
Installed on several houses on Universal Studio's backlot, Musk showed a shimmering textured glass tile, but once the solar cells are tucked behind the glass, the effect was an aesthetic that is not only appealing but efficient as well. This is what Musk emphasizes, for the Solar Roof to compete on an aesthetic level when it comes to the new solar offering. It does not just give electricity it looks good too.
Aside from the textured glass offering, Tesla-SolarCity also comes in French slate, smooth glass, and Tuscan glass. All looked aesthetically good and Musk claims that Tesla's glass tile Solar Roof can be walked on like regular asphalt shingles. The Solar Roof can also be incorporated with heating elements to clear snow and the same time, continually generating energy.
The SolarCity merger with Tesla makes for an interesting combination. Tesla also makes Powerwall that can store electricity generated by the Solar Roof. Tesla will offer the Solar Roof and the Powerwall 2.0 as a combined company with Solar City.
The company thinks it would cost 40 cents per watt over time at large scale while offering 22 to 24 percent improved efficiency over commodity solar panels.
Tesla wants to offer to consumers a suite of electricity products and services that range from generation, storage to transportation, according to Vox. The Solar Roof is scheduled for production at the Solar City Buffalo plant, at the end of 2017.
