Tesla Solar Wait Time Revealed By State


Tesla Solar Wait Time Revealed By State

Despite being primarily known for its automotive products, Tesla is quickly becoming a major play in the solar products market. Their Solar Roof and Solar Panels are increasingly popular, both due to their quality and price. But as a result, the installation and wait times for these products can vary wildly.

Tesla Solar product installation wait times vary by state and may take anywhere from less than 90 days up to one year. Depending on vendor availability and other state-specific factors, these wait times may be lengthened or shortened.

There is also the possibility that your wait time may be lengthened indefinitely if Tesla cancels your installation due to servicing conflicts. Keep reading to learn more about Tesla Solar product wait times by state.

» MORE: When Will The Tesla Powerwall 3 Be Released?

Tesla Solar Wait Times By State

Unfortunately, Tesla doesn’t provide current updates on their wait times for the Solar Roof or Solar Panels. Individuals who have purchased a Tesla Solar product receive updates on the progress and expected wait times for installation, but this information is provided on a case-by-case basis.

Some people report that their installation took place quickly and within the provide timeframe, while others in that same state share complaints online about how their installation keeps being pushed back.

Based on the information that is available, below is a breakdown of the expected wait times for each state and the District of Columbia. To understand how we compiled this information, skip to the next section.

StateConfirmed ServiceExpected Wait Time
AlabamaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
AlaskaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state population is under one million residents, which may affect installation; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
ArizonaYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
ArkansasNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
CaliforniaYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
ColoradoYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
ConnecticutYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
DelawareYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state population is under one million residents, which may affect installation; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
District of ColumbiaYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days
FloridaYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation
GeorgiaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation
HawaiiYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
IdahoNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
IllinoisYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation
IndianaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
IowaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
KansasNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
KentuckyNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
LouisianaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
MaineNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
MarylandYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
MassachusettsYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
MichiganNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
MinnesotaNoService not currently available; contact Tesla for more information
MississippiNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
MissouriNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
MontanaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
NebraskaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
NevadaYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
New HampshireYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
New JerseyYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
New MexicoYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
New YorkYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation
North CarolinaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation
North DakotaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state population is under one million residents, which may affect installation
OhioNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation
OklahomaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
OregonYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days
PennsylvaniaYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation
Rhode IslandYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
South CarolinaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
South DakotaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state population is under one million residents, which may affect installation
TennesseeNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
TexasYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability; state population is over ten million residents, which may affect installation; state square mileage is over 100,0000, which may affect installation
UtahYesLonger than expected; wait times may range from 90 days to 11 months depending on Tesla or approved third party availability
VermontYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days; state population is under one million residents, which may affect installation; state square mileage is under 10,0000, which may affect installation
VirginiaYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days
WashingtonYesContact Tesla for availability; projected wait time is at least 90 days
West VirginiaNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
WisconsinNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area
WyomingNoAt least 90 days, provided Tesla or an approved third party services your area; state population is under one million residents, which may affect installation

Keep in mind, this list only includes U.S. states and the District of Columbia. It does not cover U.S. territories, either inhabited or uninhabited.

This is because Tesla only accepts domestic orders, except in the state of Minnesota. Though they’ve expressed an interest in international expansion, Solar products are only currently available in the U.S.

» MORE: Does Tesla Offer Discounts on Solar?

Solar Wait Times By State – Explained

In the section above, we’ve broken down the wait times by state and provided information on what may affect these wait times. In addition to this, we’ve also stated whether service is confirmed in each state.

The factors we’ve listed that affect wait times are as follows:

  • Confirmed Service
  • State Square Mileage
  • State Population

The baseline 90 day quote comes from Tesla, who provided it to several customers after they provided the initial down payment for their Solar product. From there, Solar Panels or Solar Roofs were either installed within this period or the installation date was pushed back.

But placing a down payment on a Solar product doesn’t actually guarantee installation.

When you begin the buying process, you’ll be required to input your address. If Tesla doesn’t service your area, you’ll receive the following notice: We don’t currently serve this area, but will contact you when we do.”

Despite the lack of service, customers can still move forward with the process. Because of this, the 90-day period is entirely contingent on whether Tesla or an approved third party services your area, not whether you paid for the product.

» MORE: Tesla Solar Roof: Things to Know Before You Buy

How State Affects Wait Time for Tesla Solar

Wait times are further affected by the state itself, specifically its size and number of residents. In large states that are over 100,000 square miles or that have over ten million residents, Tesla may be struggling to meet demand in terms of service areas and order volume.

Conversely, Tesla may be struggling to justify servicing small states that are under 10,000 square miles or that have less than one million residents, especially if their order volume doesn’t support a local presence.

We pulled state service confirmation information from the unveiling of the latest iteration of the Solar Roof, the Solar Roof V3, back in October of 2019. At this event, Tesla reported they were in the process of installing solar panels in 24 states and the District of Columbia:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Based on this report, the states above are currently receiving Tesla service, therefore confirming that at least some of the cities in these states are eligible for Solar product installations.

But in reality, there are also other factors that will affect wait times. These are the factors that influence installations on an individual basis, which we unfortunately can’t predict.

Tesla lists some of these on their website, while others have been reported by users and various public sources. These include:

  • Homeowner’s Association (HOA) approval
  • Home energy assessments
  • Permits and utility approval
  • Installation scheduling
  • Weather conditions
  • Production times/ delays
  • Tesla availability
  • Vendor availability
  • Third-party installer availability

Some of these are at least partially within an individual’s control, such as seeking HOA approval or checking with your utility companies. Others, such as the weather and vendor availability, are entirely out of your control.

» MORE: Can a Tesla Powerwall Power My Whole Home?

States With Potentially Longer Wait Times for Tesla Solar

Just a few months after the 2019 unveiling, Electrek projected which markets Tesla was looking to ramp up production in based on the job postings for Solar Roof installers.

In December 2019, Tesla needed to expand in the following markets:

  • California – Atwater Village, Foster City, Hawthorne, Irvine, Livermore, Martinez, Milpitas, Orange County, Petaluma, Sacramento, San Diego, San Fernando Valley, Riverside, and Vista
  • Florida – Orlando and Tampa
  • Nevada – Reno
  • Texas – Dallas, Houston, and Sugarland

More recently, Eletrek posted an update on the markets Tesla sent job postings to in January 2021. It shows that Tesla has expanded their recruiting after roughly a year.

The original four states Tesla wanted to expand in are still in need of more installers:

  • Arizona – Phoenix and South Tucson
  • California – Hawthorne and Los Angeles
  • Colorado – Parker
  • Florida – Orlando
  • Maryland – Baltimore, Beltsville and Hunt Valley
  • Massachusetts – Marlborough, Taunton and Wilmington
  • Nevada – Las Vegas and Reno
  • New Jersey – Pine Brook
  • New York – New Windsor
  • Pennsylvania – Lancaster and Pittsburgh
  • Texas – Dallas, Houston and Sugarland
  • Utah – Draper

All twelve states in the lists Eletrek reported are on the list Tesla gave during the unveiling. If you live in any of these states or cities, it’s likely that you’ll experience longer wait times for a Solar product installation.

» MORE: Tesla Powerwall Review | How Much Does It Cost?

Increased Installations And Shorter Wait Times for Tesla Solar

In the first-quarter 2020 earnings call, CEO Elon Musk revealed his goal to increase Solar Roof installations. He outlined plans to begin installing roofs on 1,000 homes per week within the year.

His plans took the colder seasons into account and said that potential weather delays in fall and winter were planned for.

However, COVID-19 has since affected the wait times. How drastically it has delayed plans is still unclear.

Similarly, Musk said that his goal was for the installation itself to take place within eight hours. Despite continuing to tout this timeline, people have reported longer periods.

PV Magazine confirms this and reports that, of the Solar Roofs they’ve tracked across San Francisco in California, installation takes an average of ten days to two weeks.

PV Magazine reported in June 2020 that the first Solar Roof had finished installation in Massachusetts. Bert Bremer, the owner of the new Solar Roof, said that he ordered it back in 2017.

He didn’t reveal whether his installation was included in the states Tesla touted during the 2019 unveiling, but it’s likely.

Another installation is scheduled for a home in Salem, but no updates are currently available and we can’t confirm whether the installation has happened yet.

» MORE: Do You Have to Order Tesla Solar From Tesla?

Potential Tesla Solar Cancellations By State

But even more frustrating than extended wait times are the cancellations Tesla is reportedly making.

According to Electrek, people in Oregon and Michigan who pre-ordered the Solar Roof in 2019 received cancellation notices in 2020. Both of these states are in the 24 that Tesla quoted during the unveiling.

Refunds were provided within two weeks (ten business days), but people allegedly received no response when they tried to follow up with Tesla.

If you live in either Oregon or Michigan, be aware that there’s a possibility of cancellation. This is true for anyone who lives in a state where service is not confirmed or in an area that Tesla does not currently service.

Waiting on Tesla Solar

These wait times aren’t unusual for Tesla products. Besides the Solar Roof and Solar Panels, the PowerWall itself also experienced longer wait times and delays.

Among other places, users discuss this issue in the Tesla forum. It took anywhere from four months to just shy of a year for Powerwalls to be installed, significantly longer than 90 days many people were originally quoted by Tesla.

Does Tesla Offer Discounts on Solar?

Tesla solar panels are already the lowest price solar panels 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 panels is by using an existing Tesla owners “referral link” when ordering your Tesla solar panels.

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

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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