Elon Musk Introduces Roofing Tile That Harness Solar Energy

Installing PV arrays on the roofs is more time-consuming, complicated, and expensive than directly installing the roof tiles that can harvest solar energy.  

Now, Tesla unveils the fantastic innovation in roof-top solar technique, introducing the roofing tile that works as a solar panel.  

At Universal Studios in Los Angeles Tesla CEO Elon Musk showed off the company’s solar roof-top panels, new $5,500 Powerwall 2 high-capacity residential battery pack, and Powerpack 2 for businesses.    

Images credit: Tesla  

Musk told hundreds of guests gathered in an outside courtyard on the “Desperate Housewives” set that Tesla and SolarCity Corp., the company that he chairs and which he aims to acquire, will make solar roofs that look better than normal roofs.  

Images credit: Tesla  

Solar Roofing tile

“The goal is… to have solar roofs that look better than a normal roof, generate electricity, last longer, have better insulation, and actually have an installed cost that is less than a normal roof plus the cost of electricity,” Musk said.  

Solar roof tiles are manufactured with durable, long-lasting tempered-glass in four styles – Textured Glass Tile, Slate Glass Tile, Tuscan Glass Tile, and Smooth Glass Tile – that complement and power your home.  

Image credit: Tesla  

To avail the electricity at night when the sun goes down, Tesla also unveiled the new version of the Powerwall battery. The company said the two 14 kWh lithium-ion battery packs inside each pack (over double the capacity of the previous version) will power a four-bedroom house with lights, a refrigerator, and other appliances for an entire day.  

Production of the solar roofing tiles will begin in mid-2017. SolarCity claims the tiles will cost less than a traditional roof when combined with projected utility bill savings. (Source: Tesla)