Powered by the Sun
Tesla Energy allows you to save money to power your home and have 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 to come.
Solar Panels vs. Solar Roof
Solar panels have been around 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, which represents an all-new approach to the generation of 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 in order 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 where there is 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 properly calculate your average power requirements, it is advisable to collect at least one year’s worth of your household’s monthly energy billing from your current provider to determine your home’s average power consumption in order to design a system that will meet your demands.
Remember that because solar panels require sunlight to generate power, the actual amount generated will vary by season, geographical location, and local weather patterns.
Solar panels should be installed on a relatively new roof. Should it become necessary to remove the solar panels in order to repair or replace a worn roof, it can be quite a costly process to re-install the panels once the repair is completed.
The Solar Roof
A new Tesla Solar Roof, as shown above, looks like a conventional “high-end” roof made of ceramic or stone tiles. However, these tiles are actual small solar panels that, when linked together, have the combined power generation capabilities of conventional solar panels.
Although the difference is primarily one of appearance, if the goal in new construction or renovation is to add solar generation capability, then the total cost of a new solar roof may actually be less than the cost of a “conventional” roof plus the addition of solar panels.
Durability
Tesla energy’s Solar Roof tiles are over three times stronger than standard roofing tiles and are engineered for all-weather protection. With a 25-year warranty, Solar Roof tiles will continue to produce clean energy for your home for decades to come.
Powerwall Backup Protection
Powerwall is an integrated battery system that stores your solar energy for backup protection when the grid goes down. Your system detects outages and automatically recharges with sunlight to keep your appliances running for days.
Every solar purchase includes Powerwall, a compact home battery that reduces your reliance on the grid by storing your 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 to 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 for you depends on your preference as a homeowner and considerations such as how long you plan to stay in your home.
You can change your financial payment options up until installation begins. The language contained in the contract, such as conditions, warranties, and guarantees, cannot be altered.
A solar panel system is a great investment for your home—a home with solar panels sells faster and for more money. If you choose to sell your home, our solar loans have no prepayment penalty, allowing you to pay off the loan with the sale of the house 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 by cash with Tesla is fast and easy without complicated paperwork, and gives you total control over your solar energy system.
Purchasing Solar with a Loan
A loan enables you to acquire and own your solar energy system without upfront costs. It can be one of the most affordable ways for you to get clean energy and still own your system.
Often, your loan payment is lower than your monthly energy bill. This means you will have immediate savings after installing your system—you’ll be spending less every month. After the term of your loan, the energy from your system will continue to reduce your electricity bill resulting in long-term value.
Incentives
Federal Tax Credit
The following federal income tax credits are available to anyone who purchases a solar electric system including Solar Panels and Solar Roof. Energy storage paired with solar systems is considered qualified expenditures eligible for the tax credit.
| Residential Federal Tax Credit | Business Federal Tax Credit | For Systems Installed |
|---|---|---|
*The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 signed December 27, 2020, provided a two-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit for solar. The dates above reflect the extension.
State and Local Energy Incentives
State and local incentives vary by state so you will need to explore what is available in your own area. Click here to see the available incentives in your area.
U-Photo is located in Maryland and you can use the information below as a comparison in your locale. These figures are as of August 2021.
Maryland Solar and Energy Storage Incentives:
- Solar: $1,000 per system
- Solar: 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)
- Powerwall: State tax credit equal to 30% of installed cost up to $5,000 per property
With both cash and solar loan options, you are eligible to collect the Federal Tax Credit and other local incentives. To qualify in a particular year, your system must be installed by December 31st of that year.
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.
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