Powered by the Sun

Tesla Energy saves money to power your home and has a green environmental footprint with Solar Power. We had Tesla Energy install a photovoltaic system on both our home and office and we save as much as 40% on our energy costs. You can lock in significantly lower and predictable energy costs for years.

Solar Panels vs. Solar Roof

Solar panels have existed for many years, but now you have a new choice. In addition to conventional panels, there is now an exciting new way of generating photovoltaic power. Tesla Energy recently introduced the revolutionary Solar Roof technology, an all-new approach to generating solar power.

Solar Panels

Individual solar panels measure about 39″ x 60″ and are mounted on an engineered rail structure attached to an existing roof. As seen in the photo at the top of this page, panels are mounted side-by-side along the length of the roof and may have additional panels mounted in rows along the tops of the previous row in a grid pattern.

The number of panels required for an installation is determined by the desired output in kilowatts, the size, direction, and angle that the roof faces, obstacles like skylights or vents, and finally, the geographical location of the installation.

Installations use solar panels in the 250-350 watt range, meaning a 10 kW system would require a minimum of 28-350 watt panels, a 14 kW system about 40 panels, and so on. This could require a large portion of a typical residential roof to be covered with solar panels to meet a significant portion of a home’s electrical needs.

Local utilities may limit the size of an installation so that it does not “over-produce”. This may be related to issues of limited grid infrastructure or if utilities may have imposed caps on solar energy production in a particular locale.

Building codes in some areas may limit panels by requiring 3 feet of space between the edge of the roof and the panels, which reduces the usable roof area.

To calculate your average power needs, collect at least one year of your household’s monthly energy bills from your current provider to determine your home’s average power consumption and design a system that meets your demands.

Because solar panels require sunlight to generate power, output will vary by season, location, and local weather patterns.

Install solar panels on a relatively new roof. If you need to remove the solar panels to repair or replace a worn roof, Tesla can remove and reinstall them once the repair is complete for a modest charge.

Powerwall Backup Protection

Powerwall is an integrated battery system that stores your solar energy to protect you when the grid goes down. Your system detects outages and automatically recharges with sunlight, keeping your appliances running for days.

Every Tesla solar purchase includes Powerwall, a compact home battery that reduces your reliance on the grid by storing solar energy for use when the sun isn’t shining. You can add additional Powerwall units to your order to further lower your carbon footprint and prepare your home for power outages.

How it works

Your home will still be connected to the local power grid through a device called a “net meter”, which will run in the “minus” direction as power is fed back into the grid during daylight hours, and run in the “plus” direction when your home’s energy needs are not being met by the solar panels. The “net” difference between what is used and what is generated will determine the economy of your solar installation.

Tesla Energy has multiple financing options available to help meet your needs. The best solar financing option depends on your preferences and factors such as how long you plan to stay in your home.

You can change your payment options up until installation begins. You can’t change the contract language, such as conditions, warranties, and guarantees.

A solar panel system is a great investment for your home—homes with solar panels sell faster and for more money. If you sell your home, our solar loans have no prepayment penalty, so you can pay off the loan at closing and transfer the paid-off system to the new homeowner.

Purchasing Solar with Cash

With this option, you will own your system and pay the full system cost upfront. Purchasing solar panels with cash from Tesla is fast and easy, with no complicated paperwork, and gives you total control over your solar energy system.

Purchasing Solar with a Loan

A loan lets you buy and own your solar energy system without upfront costs. It can be one of the most affordable ways to get clean energy while still owning your system.

Often, your loan payment is lower than your monthly energy bill. This means you’ll save money right away—you’ll spend less every month. After your loan term ends, your system’s energy will continue to reduce your electricity bill, delivering long-term value.

Incentives

Solar and Powerwall

State and Local Energy Incentives

State and local incentives vary by state, so explore what is available in your area. Click here to see the available incentives in your area. 

U-Photo is located in Maryland, so use the information below for comparison in your locale. These figures are as of August 2021.

Maryland Solar and Energy Storage Incentives:

• Solar Installation: $1,000 per system
• Solar Generation Tax Credits: Earn $170 per kW off of the cash or loan price of solar panels and $140 per kW off the cash or loan price of Solar Roof by trading your Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) (filed on behalf of the customer)
• Tesla Powerwall: State tax credit equal to 30% of installed cost up to $5,000 per property

With the cash or solar loan options, you can collect the Federal Tax Credit and other local incentives. To qualify, you must install your system by December 31st.

To collect the solar tax credit, we recommend consulting a tax professional to determine what is best for your situation. You will likely need a copy of your Tesla contract. Your tax professional can then advise you on the appropriate tax form to claim your Federal Tax Credit.

To collect the solar tax credit, we recommend consulting a tax professional to determine what is best for your situation. You will likely need a copy of your Tesla contract. Your tax professional can then advise you on the appropriate tax form to claim your Federal Tax Credit.

What Else Does Tesla Energy Offer?