When Will Tesla Solar Roof Be Available in Canada?


The True Costs Of A Tesla Solar Roof

After its announcement in 2016 by Elon Musk, consumers have been anxiously awaiting the release of the Tesla solar roof. Production of this roof began in 2018 in the United States after two years of delays, but only 12 have been installed since. More so, Canada is still waiting for the opportunity to purchase this energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing roof alternative.

Although the Tesla Solar Roof is not currently available in Canada, it is available for pre-order. Unfortunately, Tesla is still building and training its Canadian team to professionally install and repair the Tesla solar roof. Its official release in Canada is currently unknown.

With only 12 installations four years after its announcement, one might wonder why the Tesla solar roof is even worth the investment. Read on to learn more about what the Tesla solar roof has to offer, why it has had such a rocky start, and why it’s worth the pre-order and investment.

What’s Taking So Long for the Tesla Roof in Canada?

In October of 2016, Elon Musk revealed Tesla’s new innovative 21st-century invention, the Tesla Solar Roof. This product’s potential in terms of renewable energy and environmental impact caught the eye of a substantial number of consumers.

Still, it was the product’s sleek, cohesive roof design that led thousands to place a $1,000 deposit on their own Tesla roof in May 2017.

Three years later, only a dozen of these roofs have been installed, and most of these eager consumers have retracted their deposits.

So, why the constant delays? Initially, the Tesla solar roof was scheduled to go on sale in 2017 but was delayed due to the product’s design that required modifications.

In 2018, Elon Musk proudly announced the launch of the Tesla Solar Roof V3. This updated version resolved previous design and cost issues including, increasing tile size, lowering production costs, increasing power density, and allowing for easier installation.

With these changes made, it was promised that the Tesla roof would be entering the stage of mass production at its Buffalo Gigafactory in January 2018.

After a small series of a dozen installments, product installations halted. It was stated by Musk in September 2018 that the product was not ready for mass production until Tesla was certain that the Tesla roof could live up to its guarantee of lasting at least three decades.

This warranty has now been reduced to 25 years. It was also reported that manufacturing issues needed to be resolved before the product could sufficiently be produced in mass.

Although production has increased, and Musk released a goal of installing 1,000 roofs per week when manufacturing reaches a sufficient point, there has been no remark on when these installations will actually occur.

Unfortunately for consumers, this leaves the product in a sort of developmental and manufacturing limbo where they never know when it will be ready.

Will Tesla Offer Discounts on Solar Roof in Canada?

Tesla solar is already the lowest cost-per-watt solar on the market, but are there any other ways to save money when ordering?

In short, the only way to get a discount on Tesla solar products is by using an existing Tesla owners “referral link” when ordering.

Tesla has did this same “referral program” concept with it’s vehicles and essentially it allows new customers to get a discount on their purchase by using an existing customers personal referral link.

In regards to Tesla solar discounts, using a Tesla referral link when ordering will save you $300 off solar panels or $500 off solar roof.

The referral discounts are typically only available for a limited time before Tesla stops offering the discount, so take advantage of the savings while you can.

tesla solar panel discount

Why is Everyone Interested in the Tesla Roof?

The Tesla solar roof is a joint product of Tesla and SolarCity that boasts an innovative model that incorporates all of the benefits of solar power, such as energy independence and being economically friendly and visually attractive.

The sleek and modern design of the panels is fully integrated with the non-solar panels on the roof, which creates a beautiful and cohesive look, unlike anything competitor solar companies can provide.

Once paired with the Tesla Powerwall, your options for home energy and independence become unlimited, and your energy costs will significantly decrease with time and proper management.

This model will completely replace the old roof on consumers homes, which is an added cost that competitor solar companies don’t have. However, if your home already has a worn or outdated roof, then this is an efficient way to have it replaced while simultaneously reaping the benefits of switching from grid energy to clean, renewable energy.

The cost of replacing your old roof and installing the Tesla solar roof will also become inconsequential in time as the Tesla roof is guaranteed to pay for itself over time as it saves the home thousands in energy bills. Therefore, it is well worth the investment to save money and be environmentally friendly.

Despite its four years of delays and setbacks, the Tesla solar roof is being constantly improved so that, upon its release, it will be at the forefront of renewable energy and solar power for homes.

Once the design is perfected, its features will render it one of the most efficient and the most aesthetically pleasing solar option on the market.

Visual Aesthetic

Before the Tesla roof, it was easy to pick out solar-powered homes by the obtrusive panels that sharply contrasted the normal roofing underneath.

The Tesla roof eliminates this juxtaposition of roofing materials by integrating the solar panels into the normal roofing panels for a cohesive appearance found on any regular home.

With this design, it is impossible to distinguish the solar from the non-solar panels, and the design is offered in four distinct styles for personalization. The varied styles also ensure that the Tesla roof will accentuate and flatter any home.   

Panel Structure

Structural integrity is also not a concern with the new Tesla solar roof. Each roof is made with waterproof tempered glass, so the tiles are more than three times stronger than the roofing tiles found on standard homes.

This material, paired with exceptional engineering, is guaranteed to withstand the elements and any weather conditions it might be exposed to. Tesla is so confident with the durability of their product that they guarantee its longevity for up to 25 years. 

Energy

The beauty of switching to renewable solar energy is that, in time, the product will pay for itself and significantly reduce energy costs for the home.

Not only can you fully power your home, but if you pair the new Tesla solar roof with the Tesla Powerwall, you can manage your energy use for everyday use or emergency purposes during a blackout. These two products allow for complete energy independence without any assistance from the grid.

Cost

Comparatively, the cost per watt of the Tesla roof is around $2.01/W, which is a solid competitor for the average cost of solar in the United States at about $2.64/W. 

It was also calculated that a 1,800 square foot roof in Long Beach, California, with an electric bill of $150 per month, would use a 6.2 kilowatt (kW) solar roof and would save $31,843 on utility bills over the lifetime of the system.

With the overall cost of this installation reaching a total of $23,388.20 after applying for a federal tax credit, this product pays for itself and then some, rendering it a cost-efficient choice long-term.

Final Thoughts

Despite its many delays in design and production, the Tesla solar roof is a revolutionary product that demonstrates you can reap the benefits of renewable energy without the cost of your roof aesthetic.

This product is guaranteed to be durable, long-lasting, and overall cost-efficient while helping owners eliminate their old and outdated roofs for a sleek, new, energy-efficient alternative.

Although consumers are anxiously awaiting this product’s mass production and installation, don’t lose hope. It might take some time for the Tesla solar roof to reach functional perfection, but when it does, you will have a product guaranteed to make the years of waiting worthwhile.

As manufacturing increases in the United States, training has taken a significant step for the Canadian team to ensure the moment the Tesla solar roof is ready for mass installations, it can immediately hop the border and don Canadian homes around the country.

Solar Discounts:

Greg

The articles here on ThatTeslaChannel.com are created by Greg, a Tesla vehicle and Tesla solar expert with nearly half a decade of hands-on experience. The information on this site is fact-checked and tested in-person to ensure the best possible level of accuracy.

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