If you need a new roof, you might be thinking of adding solar in the process. Solar energy solutions save you money on your electric bill, and they also safeguard you against power outages.
There are two key options for rooftop solar. The first is to replace your roof and then have solar panels installed on top of the new roof surface. The second option is a Tesla Solar Roof — a system that combines your roof and solar panels into one.
In most cases, you’re better off with a Tesla Solar Roof. Not only is it a simpler system, but it’s also more cost-effective than installing a separate roof and solar panels. But don’t just take our word for it! Keep reading to learn what both of these options involve in terms of costs and labor.
Option One: A New Roof Plus Solar Panels
If you opt to replace your roof and have solar panels mounted on top, you’ll need to hire two contractors. The first is a roofing contractor who will install the new roof. Solar panels work best on metal roofs, so you’ll need to hire a company experienced with metal roof systems.
Once your roof is in place, a solar company can install the solar panels. This will be a second contract to sign and a separate bill to pay. Your solar installer will need to coordinate with the roofing company to make sure the roof is properly set up for solar. This is additional time they may bill you for.
Also, consider how having a separate roof and solar panels will affect you years later. If the roof ever needs repairs, you’ll need to have the solar panels removed so your roofer can access the roof. Solar companies typically charge for this service. Solar panels also cause additional wear on the roof, which can cause it to deteriorate and require replacement sooner. For both of these reasons, mounting solar panels on a roof can come with some pretty steep repair and maintenance costs down the road.
Option Two: The Tesla Solar Roof
The Tesla Solar Roof is one roof system. It protects your home like any other roof, and it also contains photovoltaic cells to capture and convert sunlight. There are three key ways installing a Tesla Solar Roof can save you money when compared to an ordinary roof plus solar panels.
Lower Installation Costs
When you choose a Tesla Solar Roof, you hire one company. That company installs and sets up your solar roof system. You don’t have to worry about getting a roofing company and solar company to coordinate with each other. There’s only one bill to pay to one installation company.
Lower Maintenance and Repair Costs
The Tesla Solar Roof will also save you countless dollars on repairs and maintenance over the years. If you need repairs, you know exactly who to call: the company that installed the roof. You won’t have to spend extra to have solar panels removed every time your roof needs service.
The Tesla Solar Roof also has lower maintenance demands than most other types of roofing. It’s designed to be self-cleaning. Debris rinses right off the roof surface when it rains. So, you won’t need to have the roof professionally cleaned each year as you might with a tile or metal roof.
You don’t have to worry about the weight of solar panels damaging your Tesla Solar Roof, either. Plus, the Tesla Solar Roof carries a 25-year warranty, so you know you won’t have repair costs to worry about for many years.
Additional Savings With the Powerwall System
There’s an optional way to save even more with the Tesla Solar Roof. You can have a Tesla Powerwall installed in conjunction with the roof. The Powerwall is essentially a big battery. It captures any excess electricity produced by your Tesla Solar Roof so your home can use it later on, at night or when it is cloudy.
With a Tesla Powerwall, many homeowners can disconnect from the grid entirely. You also no longer need a whole-home generator, which can be a big expense.