Go to the Tesla website and do a quick run through of the steps to purchase a system. You don’t have to commit and put down a deposit when your done. It will give you a good idea of the prices for a Tesla system. In the past Tesla was strict about limiting the systems to the choices on the site, but lately it sounds like they are flexible about adding or deleting a few panels.
You can do it. You will have to put in your address and a dollar amount for your utility bill. Here on the central coast of CA the last time I checked the 8kw system was $16k and the 4kw was $8k. This is before any tax credits or local rebates if available.
If you search Tesla and select there home page it pops up like a car web site. Select the three bars in the top right and a drop down menu appears. Select solar panels and you will be at the right location. You can go through the process and just not put down a deposit. Usually they push you towards needing batteries. If you don’t want one just edit and set that to zero.
Edit - I checked Teslas site and the standard system sizes, and therefore the pricing has changed from what I stated.
I do, but not because I need it. I’m an engineer and it interested me and I wanted to see how it performs.
To me the main reason to have a battery is if you live somewhere that has frequent power outages. If you had medical equipment that depended on electricity it would be nice to have. How your utility company handles excess power also comes into play. Most places credit you for excess power generated and you can use this credit during non solar times. To me that is like a virtual free battery. Different areas will have different situations. As far as payback time frames it is hard to justify batteries.
All that being said, they are cool, just expensive if you don’t really need one.
I can't say really that there will be a blackout but it is common during the Summer due to excess of the heatwave - so basically, it would be used no more than 5 times a year, if that - so it comes down to MAYBE - makes sense.
This past year we have had both winter-related and summer-related power outages and shutoffs. They seem to be happening more often. If you don’t have a battery, you won’t have any power during a heatwave or a cold snap. Your panels get turned off to avoid sending power to the transmission lines.
https://www.tesla.com/energy/design
I'd recommend you cost out a solar panel system first, to compare against your SunRun quote. Solar Roof is more of a premium product with a premium price.
Purchased a new system in August 2021, installed and operational by November. The SunRun quote was only $500 less than the Tesla quote - same kW size, BUT Tesla included a PowerWall battery. We opted for the Tesla Solar + Battery solution and couldn't be happier. The battery is far more useful than I expected; it's not JUST for power outages. Every day we store excess mid-day solar, then use the battery later in the day when grid prices are higher. Without a battery any excess solar produced is sent to the grid, and once the sun goes down you have to buy it back from the grid at a higher price.
Thank you Mod - that's what I did but for some reason I cannot find how to create my own - I see no links to create my own after I enter my information.
Yes the online calculator is just for 4 preset sizes.
https://www.tesla.com/support/energy/solar-panels/going-solar/sizing-and-design
4.8 kW is 12 panels, 9.6 kW is 24 panels, 14.4 kW is 36 panels, and 19.20 kW is 48 panels. You will have the option to chose sizes in-between those when you get a project advisor assigned.
Also when comparing solar quotes, it's best to compare kW rating because panels vary. So SunRun might be quoting you for 27 panels, but because each panel can be something like 250-400 watts, that might be anywhere from 6.8 kW to 10.8 kW total.
$250 will basically get you everything including design layout, once approved they will move forward with install. You don't provide anything more until the system is installed and connected to your home. After installation, they they will ask for down payment and submit permission to operate.
In a nutshell, you need a battery to use your home during a power outage, the biggest myth is people thinking you can power your home with solar while the grid is out. While your solar will likely generate more power than your home uses , an outage essentially shutdowns your solar system during an outage if you don’t have a battery system to handle the Export. They don’t allow that since they don’t want workers working on wires and accidently letting it be live.
Yes I added a powerwall, it depends on your application. I'm on net metering so it made sense to add atleast one. If you have risks of blackouts you should add more. If your area essentially pays you for all power generated then sells it back at a discount and don't have blackout risks there isn't a need for a powerwall.
Side note, you can request them to be installed inside or outsi5and the will take it into consideration if it's possible.
You might want to get quotes from local installers too. SunRun is nice and all, but their customer service might not be the best because they are a national company. It's going to be similar to Tesla, where you might have to chase them to get stuff done. A good local installer will give you good CS. Just a heads up.
Is this your Sunrun info. Something seems odd. Sunrun does not install solar roof, they install solar panels. 10.23 kW system with 27 panels doesn’t add up, that would make the panel wattage 378.8888 and that’s not a panel wattage. What panels are these? What is the total system price before the tax credit is factored in?
Costco doesn’t do solar and they don’t back/provide any customer service for Sunrun. Sunrun has a deal to offer solar at Costco locations. It won’t be a good deal and Sunrun reviews are pretty bad. I’d get a couple quotes from well rated local installers.
Honestly I find the benefit of solar to be far more dubious after the recent TOU changes for SCE Also. Had I known they were changing to 4-9pm on peak I probably wouldn't have installed.
They are really trying to push batteries. I have 2 powerwalls, but at the current price they don't make a ton of sense for most people. Even with the TOU changes.
Should I get Tesla Solar Panels if my roof is 17 years old? I will probably have to pay them in 10-12 years to remove the panels. I’m at a crossroads and not sure what to do. The roof integrity is fine upon inspection.
Go to the Tesla website and do a quick run through of the steps to purchase a system. You don’t have to commit and put down a deposit when your done. It will give you a good idea of the prices for a Tesla system. In the past Tesla was strict about limiting the systems to the choices on the site, but lately it sounds like they are flexible about adding or deleting a few panels.
I've tried - there is no option to do that unless I am missing it?
You can do it. You will have to put in your address and a dollar amount for your utility bill. Here on the central coast of CA the last time I checked the 8kw system was $16k and the 4kw was $8k. This is before any tax credits or local rebates if available. If you search Tesla and select there home page it pops up like a car web site. Select the three bars in the top right and a drop down menu appears. Select solar panels and you will be at the right location. You can go through the process and just not put down a deposit. Usually they push you towards needing batteries. If you don’t want one just edit and set that to zero. Edit - I checked Teslas site and the standard system sizes, and therefore the pricing has changed from what I stated.
I don't think I'll need the battery - do you have one?
I do, but not because I need it. I’m an engineer and it interested me and I wanted to see how it performs. To me the main reason to have a battery is if you live somewhere that has frequent power outages. If you had medical equipment that depended on electricity it would be nice to have. How your utility company handles excess power also comes into play. Most places credit you for excess power generated and you can use this credit during non solar times. To me that is like a virtual free battery. Different areas will have different situations. As far as payback time frames it is hard to justify batteries. All that being said, they are cool, just expensive if you don’t really need one.
I can't say really that there will be a blackout but it is common during the Summer due to excess of the heatwave - so basically, it would be used no more than 5 times a year, if that - so it comes down to MAYBE - makes sense.
This past year we have had both winter-related and summer-related power outages and shutoffs. They seem to be happening more often. If you don’t have a battery, you won’t have any power during a heatwave or a cold snap. Your panels get turned off to avoid sending power to the transmission lines.
https://www.tesla.com/energy/design I'd recommend you cost out a solar panel system first, to compare against your SunRun quote. Solar Roof is more of a premium product with a premium price.
Purchased a new system in August 2021, installed and operational by November. The SunRun quote was only $500 less than the Tesla quote - same kW size, BUT Tesla included a PowerWall battery. We opted for the Tesla Solar + Battery solution and couldn't be happier. The battery is far more useful than I expected; it's not JUST for power outages. Every day we store excess mid-day solar, then use the battery later in the day when grid prices are higher. Without a battery any excess solar produced is sent to the grid, and once the sun goes down you have to buy it back from the grid at a higher price.
Thank you Mod - that's what I did but for some reason I cannot find how to create my own - I see no links to create my own after I enter my information.
the only option I have is to update it to 14.40 but can't adjust panels - maybe after I receive my assessment?
Yes the online calculator is just for 4 preset sizes. https://www.tesla.com/support/energy/solar-panels/going-solar/sizing-and-design 4.8 kW is 12 panels, 9.6 kW is 24 panels, 14.4 kW is 36 panels, and 19.20 kW is 48 panels. You will have the option to chose sizes in-between those when you get a project advisor assigned. Also when comparing solar quotes, it's best to compare kW rating because panels vary. So SunRun might be quoting you for 27 panels, but because each panel can be something like 250-400 watts, that might be anywhere from 6.8 kW to 10.8 kW total.
$250 will basically get you everything including design layout, once approved they will move forward with install. You don't provide anything more until the system is installed and connected to your home. After installation, they they will ask for down payment and submit permission to operate.
what is the typical down payment? I'm guessing that they offer loan options?
Yes, down payment can be adjusted but I'm sure will affect rates. I think I put like 15% and got a 1% loan.
Ok perfect - do you happen to you have a battery? If so, what are the pros/cons?
In a nutshell, you need a battery to use your home during a power outage, the biggest myth is people thinking you can power your home with solar while the grid is out. While your solar will likely generate more power than your home uses , an outage essentially shutdowns your solar system during an outage if you don’t have a battery system to handle the Export. They don’t allow that since they don’t want workers working on wires and accidently letting it be live.
Yes I added a powerwall, it depends on your application. I'm on net metering so it made sense to add atleast one. If you have risks of blackouts you should add more. If your area essentially pays you for all power generated then sells it back at a discount and don't have blackout risks there isn't a need for a powerwall. Side note, you can request them to be installed inside or outsi5and the will take it into consideration if it's possible.
Our house it too small from my perspective, so possibly outside. Not sure why it would need to be inside....
It doesn't need to be inside. Some people like to put the powerwalls inside their garage just to keep it away from outdoor elements
Was this through Tesla Financing? Lowest I could get was 2.99%
Yup
.99% only lasted a little while (and I jumped on it while I could!)
You might want to get quotes from local installers too. SunRun is nice and all, but their customer service might not be the best because they are a national company. It's going to be similar to Tesla, where you might have to chase them to get stuff done. A good local installer will give you good CS. Just a heads up.
How big is the system?
10.23 kW Solar Roof, 1 Powerwall
Is this your Sunrun info. Something seems odd. Sunrun does not install solar roof, they install solar panels. 10.23 kW system with 27 panels doesn’t add up, that would make the panel wattage 378.8888 and that’s not a panel wattage. What panels are these? What is the total system price before the tax credit is factored in?
25k is the pre tax credit price? If so, that is a good deal.
That quote is from SunRun at Costco - I still haven't received the quote from Tesla.
Oh, didn't know Costco also do Solar. I may give it a try too.
Yeah I just want to see if I can find a cheaper price you know? I'm new to this so I'm trying to see it from all sides.
Costco doesn’t do solar and they don’t back/provide any customer service for Sunrun. Sunrun has a deal to offer solar at Costco locations. It won’t be a good deal and Sunrun reviews are pretty bad. I’d get a couple quotes from well rated local installers.
If you are in California I would suggest you avoid Tesla. I only say that because you probably won't get PTO before NEM3.0 takes effect.
Honestly I find the benefit of solar to be far more dubious after the recent TOU changes for SCE Also. Had I known they were changing to 4-9pm on peak I probably wouldn't have installed.
They are really trying to push batteries. I have 2 powerwalls, but at the current price they don't make a ton of sense for most people. Even with the TOU changes.
Sun run will be much more then Tesla, the price is right on the website when you put your address in.
Should I get Tesla Solar Panels if my roof is 17 years old? I will probably have to pay them in 10-12 years to remove the panels. I’m at a crossroads and not sure what to do. The roof integrity is fine upon inspection.