Tesla overview
Known for its groundbreaking electric vehicle, Tesla expanded its business to solar energy in 2016 when it acquired SolarCity. Over the last several year, Tesla carved a top spot in the solar industry by offering installation of its solar panels and solar shingles (called the Solar Roof).
The company ended its partnership with Panasonic to manufacture Tesla solar panels in 2020. Now, Tesla installs solar panels from various manufacturers, including Q CELLS. Learn more about Tesla solar panel features, reviews, and pricing.
Rating methodology
The reviews on this page are not based on personal or hands-on testing because it isn’t possible for our team to test the purchasing and installation process for every installer on the market. Instead, we base our reviews on thorough research, interviews, and unbiased facts about solar installers. The standardized criteria for these reviews include the installer’s BBB rating, number of serviceable states, years of experience, financing options, and the services provided.
Solar installation process
Tesla handles everything from designing your solar system to obtaining all necessary permits. Here’s the step-by-step installation process.
- Consultation: The process begins with a Tesla solar expert scheduling a virtual consultation to assess your home’s energy use, roof condition, and other factors potentially impacting the installation process.
- Design: Based on the consultation, Tesla will design a solar panel system that best suits your energy needs and home.
- Contract review: Once you decide to move forward, you review the contract provided by a Tesla solar expert. The contract outlines the terms and conditions of the solar installation, including equipment specifications, warranties, payment terms, project timeline, and any applicable permits or approvals required.
- Contract signing: Before signing the contract, it’s important to thoroughly review and comprehend its terms. By signing the contract, you are expressing your consent to move forward with the solar installation. Careful reading and understanding of the contract are vital to ensure clarity and prevent any potential misunderstandings.
- Permits: The company will apply for solar permitting and receive the necessary paperwork from your local authorities before starting the installation work.
- Electrical work: After installing the solar system, Tesla will connect them to your home’s electrical system and set up a solar monitoring system to track your solar energy generation.
- Installation: Tesla’s in-house installers or subcontractors will mount the solar panels on your rooftop. The installation can take 1-3 days, based on the size of the system.
- Inspection and activation: As a last step, your utility or a third-party inspector will inspect the installed solar system to ensure it meets all relevant safety and interconnection standards. After the inspection, Tesla will submit an application on your behalf for permission to operate (PTO). Once you receive the PTO, you can start operating your solar system.
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Tesla products and services
Solar panels
Tesla offers monocrystalline solar panels with an efficiency rating between 19.3% and 20.9%. Tesla’s S and H series panels come in a black finish without noticeable grid lines and are made with tempered glass to have a sleek design. The panels can endure up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit and are designed to last for decades.
After ending its solar partnership with Panasonic in 2020, Tesla began offering installations of solar panels from different manufacturers, including Hanwha Q CELLS, Trina Solar, and Canadian Solar. While the company provides either Tesla-branded solar panels or those from other manufacturers, Tesla’s website doesn’t specify what brand of panels homeowners can expect in their solar system.
Inverters
In 2021, Tesla introduced its own solar inverter and started incorporating it into new Tesla solar installations. Before launching the Tesla Solar Inverter, the company used SolarEdge and Delta inverters. Tesla’s inverter has a peak efficiency level of 97.5%, which is high by industry standards. An inverter’s efficiency means that more of the energy generated by solar panels is converted into usable electricity to power your home. The Tesla Solar Inverter is designed to work seamlessly with Tesla’s proprietary battery storage system, the Powerwall.
Batteries
Tesla offers its Powerwall battery storage system for its residential solar customers. The Powerwall can be charged with solar energy during the day and used to power the home at night or during power outages. This high-performance battery has a storage capacity of up to 13.5 kilowatt hours (kWh), which is higher than other batteries on the market. If your home requires more than 13.5 kWh storage capacity, Tesla can add more batteries for greater capacity to meet your unique energy needs.
Monitoring devices
After installing your Tesla solar system, you can use the Tesla monitoring app to track your solar power generation and consumption in real time. The app allows you to control your Tesla energy products remotely. For example, you can turn your Powerwall on or off with the app, change your solar panel settings, and track your home energy consumption from a different location.
Warranties
Tesla’s solar panels have a 25-year performance warranty and a 10-year quality of work guarantee. According to Tesla, its inverter, roof mounting, and Powerwall battery come with a 10-year comprehensive warranty, including labor costs for repairs and replacements. The solar panels from third-party manufacturers used in Tesla’s solar installations, like Hanwha Q CELLS, Canadian Solar, and Trina, come with a 25-year product and performance warranty.
| Year Founded | 2003 |
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| Location | Austin, Texas |
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| Service Types | Solar panel, inverter, and battery |
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| Types of Panels Sold | Monocrystalline |
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| Battery Options | Tesla Powerwall |
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Cost of Tesla solar panels
According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory data, the national average price of a residential solar system is $31,558. However, the cost of solar panels will vary depending on your energy use, location, system size, panel type, and incentives. The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit rewards buyers of solar systems a 30% tax credit until 2032. Depending on your location, additional state solar incentives could further reduce the initial cost of purchasing the panels. Tesla can provide a more accurate cost estimate based on where you live.
Tesla solar systems cost around $3.20 per watt. Here is a system size range and cost for Tesla solar panels:
| System size (in kilowatts) | Price before incentives |
|---|
| 4.8 | $15,360 |
| 19 | $60,800 |
Financing solar options with Tesla
You have several financing options to go solar with Tesla. You can buy your solar system with cash or finance it with a loan. The loan is administered by Tesla or a third-party lender with a payback time of up to 20 years. Tesla financing is currently available for customers in 24 states. While buying or financing solar panels can be expensive, you can use incentives, like the Residential Clean Energy Credit, to lower the total cost of solar. You can also lease solar panels or enter a power purchase agreement with Tesla for a monthly fee. Tesla will own and maintain the solar systems if you choose either of these options.
Is Tesla right for you?
If you are in the market for a large national solar panel installer, consider Tesla . Tesla offers its solar panels in all 50 states, but financing in only 24. The company provides quality solar panels at competitive prices and has an easy ordering process. However, Tesla increasingly relies on subcontractors to install its solar panels instead of in-house installers. Subcontracting can lead to inconsistencies in the quality of installations, and it can be challenging to ensure that all subcontractors are accredited and licensed. Responsibility for an improperly installed solar system falls on a subcontractor, not Tesla. It may be hard to get help from the company you purchased your system from if it can’t assist you with any problems.
As a rule, getting quotes from multiple solar installers is essential. Compare the components and size of the systems various installers recommend, check the average cost in your state, read customer reviews, and look out for any recent name changes and lawsuits against the company before deciding on an installer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Available in all 50 states | Customer service complaints |
| Competitive pricing | Growing reliance on subcontractors to install solar panels |
| Low-profile sleek appearance | Time to install may be longer than competitors |
