March 01, 2023

Tesla's Elon Musk: Check out this sweet roof [Video]

As a DJ played a (very) groovy music mix, the crowd waited for Tesla Motors [NASDAQ: TSLA] CEO Elon Musk to take the stage at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. He ran a bit late, but, that's to be expected — call it "Tesla time." His cousin, SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive, introduced him and Musk took the stage to announce his move from cars to homes. This was to be Tesla's introduction to their new solar roof. However, what was shown was far more dynamic — it was a wide variety of glass solar tiles that were available in different shapes, finishes, colors, and styles. True to form, Tesla's solar roof design was simply gorgeous.

Above: With a sleek Model 3 parked in the garage next to a Powerwall, Tesla shows off its sleek new solar roof (Source: Electrek* via Tesla)

As reported in Electrek*, Tesla actually, "surprised everyone with not only one solar roof, but several new solar roof options, including designs that look like Textured Glass Tile, Slate Glass Tile, Tuscan Glass Tile, and Smooth Glass Tile. Some of the options look opaque from a street angle and transparent from a birdseye view – aka the sun’s view. That’s what enables the roof to look nothing like solar, but for the solar cells to still capture solar energy from sunlight."

Above: A stunning look into the future with Tesla's new Model 3 in the foreground and Model X, Powerwall 2.0, HPWC, and Tuscan Glass Tile solar roof in the background (Instagram: @barrettinhollywood)

Tesla noted, "These new roofs will seamlessly and beautifully supply renewable energy to homes, battery storage systems and back into the grid creating savings for owners. When combined with Tesla Powerwall, the solar roof can power an entire home with 100% renewable energy."

Above: Tesla Powerwall 2.0 (Source: InsideEvs)

In addition, "The Powerwall 2.0 also got a significant update with now twice the energy capacity: 14 kWh. It got a little more expensive though at $5,500, but that’s nothing when you consider that the inverter is integrated. That’s right. A 14 kWh battery pack with an integrated inverter for $5,500. Elon Musk said that he expects to sell more Powerwalls than cars and at that price point, it’s understandable. Powerwall 2 starts shipping in December." Tesla opened their website to begin taking deposits. And, "Musk said that [solar roof] installations will start summer of next year."

Gallery

Above (from top to bottom): Tuscan Glass Tile, Smooth Glass Tile, Textured Glass Tile, Slate Glass Tile, Anatomy of a Solar Roof, Close-ups of each style (Source: InsideEvs / SolarCity)

Furthermore, The Verge reported that Tesla's solar, "tiles are hydrographically printed, which, Musk says, makes each one a 'special snowflake tile,' and no two roofs will be the same." In closing, Musk joked, "you'll want to call your neighbors over and say check out this sweet roof." Indeed. If you didn't catch Musk's solar roof presentation, you can watch it here...