Solar Air Heaters for the Home
What Are Solar Air Heaters? Solar air heaters use the power of the sun to help heat your home and lower your utility bills. These systems work by converting sunlight...
Solar
Average Cost: $17,000 - $35,000
Tesla Solar offers solar panels, solar batteries, and solar roofs, providing homeowners comprehensive system design and full project management from initial consultation through installation. Our in-depth review covers Tesla solar products, services, pricing, and customer reviews. Competitor comparisons are also included to help you make the right decision for your home solar installation.
Our Verdict: With an emphasis on simple ordering and easy integration, Tesla features reliable solar solutions for homeowners who want the perks of going solar at an affordable price. While its panel and battery performance ratings meet industry standards, they are not the best in the market, so Tesla may not be the right fit for homeowners looking for more product options or high-efficiency panels.
Tesla Energy offers homeowners solar panels, solar roofs, battery storage, and installation. The development of the Powerwall battery in 2015, coupled with the company’s acquisition of SolarCity, one of the largest solar installation companies in the country, firmly established Tesla as a leading provider of fully integrated solar systems.
| Best for | Top Model | Cost Installed | Standout Feature | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated systems | Powerwall 3 | $17,000 to $35,000 | Sleek design and low profile | 25 years for panels and solar roof, 10 years for battery |
Tesla Solar offers homeowners a simple yet comprehensive home solar system that is straightforward to understand, design, and purchase. Panel performance and efficiency ratings are consistent with industry standards and come with a more affordable price tag compared to many of its competitors.
Another of Tesla’s claims to fame is its aesthetically pleasing panel design. Homeowners who prioritize their home’s curb appeal will appreciate the panels’ slim and sleek black construction and low-profile mounting system. These benefits, paired with strong performance and workmanship warranties, make Tesla an attractive choice for homeowners interested in home solar.
As with any solar company, Tesla Solar has specific strengths and weaknesses. Here are several advantages and disadvantages to help you determine if Tesla is the right solar company for you.
Tesla offers a one-stop shop for a fully integrated home solar system. High-performance, monocrystalline panels feature industry-standard efficiency ratings and a black-on-black, low-profile mounting system for a sleek look. Tesla’s solar roof is an alternative option that features glass solar roof tiles with an integrated inverter. An optional Powerwall solar battery captures and stores excess energy produced for nighttime use, peak times, or grid outages. Homeowners can easily manage and monitor their solar panel system operation through Tesla’s app. Tesla vehicle owners also have a “charge on solar” option that provides vehicle charging from the Powerwall battery.
Customer reviews offer a candid and unvarnished account of their experiences working with a company, and we have included a few of Tesla Energy to provide more insight into their installation quality and customer service. Tesla products and solar contractors receive consistently positive reviews for their overall performance and professionalism, respectively. Tesla seems to miss the mark in its customer service experience, with homeowners frustrated with the slow response to address and resolve product performance and efficiency issues.
“Slow delivery of my Tesla Powerwall, but now that I have had it installed all I can say is – wow! I have set it to time-based control: cost saving, which magically decides when/whether to import from the grid during my off-peak electricity period. This intelligent machine sends solar to the house first, then the surplus to the battery, then runs the house from the battery after sundown, and finally imports from the grid into the battery if necessary to cover my usage before sunrise. Works like a dream.” – Jane Carter, Trustpilot review
“Tesla Solar really impressed me with their level of professionalism and the way they kept me updated at every stage. The installation crew was on time and worked steadily until the job was complete. I appreciated that they double-checked all connections and took me through the activation step by step. Their office also followed up after a few weeks to ensure I was satisfied, which shows they care about customers beyond the sale. My panels are performing very well, and it feels good knowing I made the right choice.” – Christina Smith, Google Review
“They came when they said they would and finished when they said, too. No delays and no confusion. The panels look good on the roof, and the energy savings started right away. The best part for me was that they handled all the paperwork with the electric company because I wouldn’t have known where to start. It felt like a very complete service, not just the install itself.” – Thelma Lambert, Google Review
Tesla Solar installations cost from $17,000 to $35,000. Here is a breakdown of Tesla’s solar products, along with factors that will influence your project costs.
| Tesla Solar Panels | Tesla Solar Roof | Powerwall Battery |
|---|---|---|
| $17,000 to $27,000 | $80,000 to $125,000 | $14,000 to $20,000 |
| Region | Average Cost per Watt | Average Installed Cost for 8 kW System |
|---|---|---|
| Midwest | $3.00 | $24,000 |
| Northeast | $3.15 | $25,200 |
| Northwest | $2.85 | $22,800 |
| Southeast | $2.90 | $23,200 |
| Southwest | $2.75 | $22,000 |
Solar installation project costs can vary widely among homeowners due to these factors:
Tesla Solar buying options include cash purchase, financing, and leasing.
Tesla competitors span from national or large regional solar providers to smaller and local mom-and-pop companies. Tesla installs its own solar products, offering a complete system with seamless integration. Other solar companies, like Sunrun, Momentum Solar, and Blue Raven Solar, tend to offer a variety of panels and batteries and more customization opportunities. Here is a snapshot of how Tesla Solar compares to other large solar providers.
Explore our Sunrun Review.
Explore our Momentum Solar Review.
Explore our Blue Raven Solar Review.
Solar panel and battery installation is a major home project and requires a significant financial investment. Here are some of the most common questions homeowners ask about Tesla Solar, its products, payment options, and service quality.
Tesla primarily uses employee contractors in areas where there is a service office. In areas where there is no Tesla Energy office, the company uses certified third-party solar contractors for its panel and battery installations.
Tesla offers a 25-year product and performance warranty on its solar panels and solar roof. The Powerwall battery warranty includes 10 years of coverage and an extended performance guarantee — Tesla guarantees its batteries will maintain at least a 70% capacity after 10 years of service.
Powerwall can be added as a battery backup to most solar panel brands. An inverter is required for installation, and major inverter suppliers are compatible with Tesla Powerwall. Not all specialized components are compatible, so check with your solar installer for details.
The number of panels your home requires depends on your home and roof size, household energy consumption, and whether you want solar panels to provide 100% of your home’s energy. The best way to determine how many panels you need is by requesting a custom quote.
Typical project timeframes range from six to eight weeks, from estimate through installation. Contractor availability, permitting, and weather conditions may impact the timeline.
An optional Tesla Powerwall battery captures and stores excess solar energy produced by panels that can be used during power outages, cloudy days, and nighttime.
Tesla Energy offers homeowners a simple yet comprehensive home solar system that is straightforward to understand, design, and purchase. While its panels are not the most efficient on the market, Tesla panels perform at industry standards and, when paired with its industry-leading Powerwall battery, feature a comprehensive system that comes with solid warranties.
Have you just started your solar research? Get the details on more solar companies at our review hub.
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