Tesla solar panels review: Affordable price, average performance
The “lowest cost solar panels in America” ranks middle of the pack, but it's nothing special.
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Since acquiring SolarCity in 2016, Tesla has expanded its electric vehicle empire to include the Powerwall solar battery, the Solar Roof, and traditional solar panels.
Tesla’s solar panels are nice to look at and come at an affordable price. The company’s minimalist aesthetic is not lost on its solar panel installations; the all-black panels and hardware offer a clean, low-profile look for your roof. Tesla positions itself as the “lowest cost solar panels in America” and guarantees a price match if you happen to find a cheaper option. Admittedly, Tesla solar panels are some of the least expensive solar panels quoted to customers on the EnergySage Marketplace.
Tesla solar panels are a great choice if you want to go solar on a budget or install a sleek-looking system. If performance is your priority, you should consider other options.
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IN A NUTSHELL
Prices
$2.27 per watt on average, based on real-world quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace in the second half of 2023.
Federal tax credits and state, local, or utility incentives should further reduce the price. The federal solar tax credit alone reduces the cost by 30%.
Pros
Price match guarantee: Tesla offers a price match guarantee on eligible solar panel systems, which means they should be your most affordable option.
Integration with other Tesla products: Tesla products are designed to work together. Between its solar inverter, Powerwall solar battery, Wall Connector EV charger, and the Tesla app, Tesla is a one-stop shop for solar products.
Cons
Not a standout: Aside from price, Tesla panels are not a standout in the market.
Tesla’s customer service reputation: Unfortunately, Tesla has gained a reputation for subpar customer service and slow installation timelines.
On brand with its famous electric vehicles, Tesla designs two lines of solar panels with a “clean” and “minimalist” aesthetic. Available in a black finish, both the S Series and the H Series use low-profile installation technology with no visible grid lines and concealed edges so the system appears more integrated into your roof.
Tesla solar panels
S Series | H Series | |
|---|---|---|
| EnergySage score | Unrated | Unrated |
| Cell type | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline |
| Power output | 420–430 W | 395–405 W |
| Efficiency | 19.3–19.8% | 20.1–20.6% |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.34% / °C | -0.34% / °C |
| Product warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Power warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
| Warranted degradation | 98% of output at year 1, at least 85% at year 25 (0.54% degradation rate) | 98% of output at year 1, at least 86% at year 25 (0.5% degradation rate) |
| Weight | 55.8 lb | 51.8 lb |
| Size | 82.4 x 40.9 x 1.57 in | 74.4 x 41.2 x 1.57 in |
For solar panels, the most important specs to watch are:
Efficiency: How well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into electricity for your home, expressed as a percentage (i.e., 22.2%). The higher, the better.
Temperature coefficient: How well your solar panels perform in less-than-ideal conditions, expressed as a percentage per degree (i.e., 0.34% / °C). The lower, the better.
Warranty: Guarantees that the company will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Warranties also guarantee a certain amount of production throughout the 25+ year term.
Tesla vs. other popular brands
Tesla H Series | REC Group Alpha Pure | Q CELLS Q.TRON BLK
M-G2+ | Silfab Solar Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnergySage Score | Unrated | 100/100 | 66/100 | 65/100 |
| Price per watt* | $2.27 | $2.68 | $2.86 | $2.91 |
| Power output | 405 W | 410 W | 410 W | 410 W |
| Power output per square foot | 19 W/sq. ft. | 20.9 W/sq. ft. | 19.5 W/sq. ft. | 19.2 W/sq. ft. |
| Efficiency | 20.6% | 22.2% | 21.0% | 20.7% |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.34% / °C | -0.26% / °C | −0.30% / °C | -0.36% / °C |
| Power warranty | 98% of output at year 1, at least 86% at year 25 (0.5% degradation rate) | 98% of output in year 1, at least 92% in year 25 (0.25% degradation rate) | 98.5% of output in year 1, at least 90.58% in year 25 (0.33% degradation rate) | 97.1% of output in year 1, at least 85.1% in year 25 (0.5% degradation rate) |
| Warranty term | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | 30 years |
| Size | 74.4 x 41.2 x 1.57 in | 71.7 x 40 x 1.2 in | 67.8 x 44.6 x 1.18 in | 75.35 x 40.79 x 1.4 in |
*Prices reflect the average quoted price for each solar panel brand based on EnergySage Marketplace data. Prices may differ for the specific model listed.
The price can’t be beaten (theoretically)
Tesla offers a price match guarantee. If you receive a cheaper quote from another company, you can submit it to Tesla and they’ll match that price per watt. Tesla should, in theory, offer the lowest-cost solar panels available, but of course, it’s on a case-by-case basis. There are price match eligibility requirements and Tesla reserves the right to reject any price match request believed to be submitted in “bad faith”.
Either way, Tesla's solar energy system usually delivers bang for your buck. In addition to solar panels, the total price you pay to go solar includes equipment like the inverter and racking systems, installation, taxes, and other business costs. Tesla produces its own inverter and hardware, which helps its affordability.
You want to integrate other Tesla products with your solar system
Tesla products are designed to integrate together. Tesla solar panels pair with the Tesla Powerwall battery as a solar plus storage solution, which can also be paired with your Tesla electric vehicle (EV) charger. You can monitor and optimize your EV, charger, solar, and storage systems in one central location—the Tesla app.
Tesla solar panels aren’t a standout
Aside from price, Tesla panels are not a standout in the market. Their specs are satisfactory but nothing special, the warranties don’t offer anything groundbreaking, but they get the job done. Consider other options if efficiency and performance are your main concerns.
You’re looking for top-notch customer service
Unfortunately, Tesla has gained a reputation for subpar customer service and slow installation timelines. While production delays have eased compared to previous years, the time it takes to move forward with your Tesla installation largely depends on where you live.
If you're a diehard Tesla fan, its solar panels will not disappoint aesthetically. Tesla solar panels are advantageous for those concerned about the look of a solar installation and those wanting to go solar at a lower cost. If you’re not willing to sacrifice efficiency for price, value top-notch customer service, or prefer purchasing solar panels with a standout warranty, Tesla solar panels are not for you.
- 100% free to use, 100% online
- Access the lowest prices from installers near you
- Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help
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