Our Thoughts on Tesla Solar
Tesla Solar is a sound option for people who want an installer that offers an integrated product ecosystem, including solar panels, inverters, batteries and electric vehicles (EV) and charging. Tesla has reliable products and eye-catching designs — its all-black solar panels with rail-less, concealed edge mounting create sleek solar power systems. Customers can also opt for a solar roof, which will cost more than traditional panels.
With more than half a million systems installed, according to its website, Tesla Solar has the experience to prove its value. It also guarantees the “lowest price in America,” thanks to a price-match guarantee. These factors make Tesla Energy one of our picks for the best solar companies in North America.
How Tesla Scored in Our Methodology
When analyzed using our detailed provider review methodology, Tesla Energy scored 4.2 out of 5 stars. Tesla scored the highest points in our cost, company reputation and industry experience categories.
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Tesla Solar Rating
Tesla Solar State Availability
Tesla Solar serves all 50 U.S. states and is available in most cities and towns. However, Tesla does not use in-house employees for all of its system installations. The company relies on authorized partners that install Tesla equipment across the country.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Tesla Solar Cost and Services Offered
For a typical 8 kilowatt (kW) system, homeowners choosing Tesla can expect to spend about $2.10 to $2.85 per watt. This rate translates to a range of $16,000 to $23,000 before any tax incentives, credits and rebates apply. The following table shows estimated pricing for a variety of Tesla solar systems.
| System Size | Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| 5 kW | $10,500–$14,250 |
| 6 kW | $12,600–$17,100 |
| 7 kW | $14,700–$19,950 |
| 8 kW | $16,800–$22,800 |
Tesla Solar is among the cheaper options for solar panel installations based on companies we’ve reviewed. The company typically charges $2.10 to $2.85 per watt, compared to the national average of $2.85. Moreover, the company offers a price match guarantee to help ensure low pricing.
Solar Panel Brands Offered
One of the things that sets Tesla Energy apart from some other installers is that it manufactures most of its solar equipment in-house, including solar panels, inverters and the Powerwall battery.
Although Tesla Solar limits the number of equipment choices for customers, its products offer high performance and durability with pleasing aesthetics. For instance, Tesla solar panels have an all-black design and are installed in a low-profile manner with all-black skirting to create a monochromatic, eye-catching system.
| Panel | Efficiency Rating | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 19.3%–19.8% | Low to medium |
For customers who want an even sleeker option, Tesla Solar has an innovative solar roof system that integrates solar cells into roof shingles, creating a nearly invisible solar array. However, this option is more expensive than traditional solar panels.
Solar Battery Installation
Another one of Tesla Solar’s selling points is the use of its own solar battery, the Powerwall. Unlike some other solar installers, Tesla designs and manufactures its own solar battery, bolstered by the company’s experience building electric cars. The Powerwall is one of the top-rated solar batteries based on our team’s review.
Our 2023 survey data highlights the Powerwall’s popularity. Of the 59% of respondents who installed a solar battery with a solar panel system, nearly one-third reported that they picked a Powerwall.
Adding an energy storage system to an existing solar system may cost between $12,000 and $22,000. So in terms of pricing, a typical solar panel and battery system costs between $25,000 and $35,000. Below is more specific pricing information for Tesla’s Powerwall battery, based on our market research.
| Battery | Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall | $11,500 |
Additional Services
Tesla is a brand most often linked to electric vehicles, but the company also manufactures solar-related products. Here is a list of Tesla’s services and products:
- EV charger installations
- Mobile app
- Solar battery manufacturing and installation
- Solar panel manufacturing and installation
- Solar roofing
Payment Options
Tesla Energy provides a variety of payment options for solar customers. Buyers can pay in cash, a method that does not accrue interest and as a result, translates to the highest amount of savings over a system’s lifetime.
Alternatively, customers can choose a solar loan, lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) to offset the upfront cost of solar. However, leases and PPAs deliver significantly lower savings than other options and you will never own the system. These payment methods also make the customer ineligible for the 30% federal tax credit.
Tesla Solar Warranties
Solar warranties are an important factor to consider when considering a move to solar power. Tesla Solar offers a warranty structure that nearly matches the industry standard, covering panels for 25 years and system workmanship for 10 years.
| Warranty Type | Tesla Solar Length | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Workmanship warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
| Product warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
| Performance warranty | 25 years | 25 years |
Tesla Solar Installation Process
Tesla Solar has a four-step installation process, as outlined on its website. It involves the standard steps in a typical solar installation and is mostly similar to other solar companies we’ve reviewed.
- Order online: The first step with Tesla differs from some other solar installers. Tesla Solar uses an online ordering system, unlike other companies that generally use human salespersons to reach out to homeowners. Interested homeowners can enter their address and monthly energy bill on Tesla’s website, and the installer will prepare an instant quote. Buyers can also choose to schedule a consultation with a company salesperson for a more traditional approach to going solar.
- Home assessment: Using aerial and satellite imagery, Tesla’s design engineers can create a system to meet your home’s energy needs. You can provide preferences for your system layout using Tesla’s online system. Once Tesla finalizes your design, the company will work with your municipalities to apply for the necessary installation permits.
- Installation: Once Tesla receives the necessary permits, the company lets customers choose an installation date. According to Tesla, you only need to be home during the first hour of installation. Upon completion of the installation, Tesla works with the local building department and the utility company to arrange for system inspections and receive a permission-to-operate (PTO) certificate.
- Power on: After receiving PTO, Tesla notifies the user when it is safe to switch the system on — and then it flips the switch.
What Customers Think of Tesla Solar
To get an idea of what customers like and dislike about Tesla’s solar division, our team read through reviews on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. The company also has a separate review page for its overall operations, which include solar technology. While the company has several positive customer reviews, it also receives a considerable number of negative reviews.
What Customers Like
- Ordering process: Many customers praise Tesla’s online ordering system, which suggests an approximate system size and configuration while also preparing preliminary pricing without having to interact with a salesperson.
- Product quality: Reviewers often highlight the company’s high-quality solar equipment as a reason to choose Tesla Solar, including its all-black solar panels.
- Knowledgeable salespersons: Numerous Tesla customers mentioned having a pleasant experience dealing with the company’s sales representatives, who they described as professional, knowledgeable and responsive.
What Customers Don’t Like
- Slow support: Many reviewers noted Tesla’s slow technical support group, especially related to component repair or replacement. Some customers also mentioned a slow installation speed.
Our team reached out to Tesla for comment on the above-listed negative review but did not receive a response.
Tesla Solar vs. the Market
Our team compared how Tesla Energy measures up against ADT Solar and Sunrun, two of its major competitors in the U.S. market.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
| Star Rating | |||
| System Cost | $16,000–$23,000 | $20,000–$25,000 | $20,000–$25,000 |
| Warranty Lengths | 10-year workmanship, 25-year product | 25 product and workmanship | 10-year workmanship, 25-year product |
| Panel Brands | Tesla | MaxeonREC, Qcells, Canadian Solar and Silfab | LONGi |
| Financing Options | Cash, loan, lease or PPA | Cash, loan, lease or PPA | Cash, loan, lease or PPA |
| Services Offered | Solar panels, solar batteries, EV chargers, solar roofing, mobile app and solar equipment manufacturing | Solar panels, solar batteries, EV chargers, energy efficiency audits, mobile app, optional service package and system monitoring | Solar panels, solar batteries, EV chargers, system monitoring, optional service package and a mobile app |
| Star Rating | |||
| System Cost | $16,000–$23,000 | $20,000–$25,000 | $20,000–$25,000 |
| Warranty Lengths | 10-year workmanship, 25-year product | 25 product and workmanship | 10-year workmanship, 25-year product |
| Panel Brands | Tesla | MaxeonREC, Qcells, Canadian Solar and Silfab | LONGi |
| Financing Options | Cash, loan, lease or PPA | Cash, loan, lease or PPA | Cash, loan, lease or PPA |
| Services Offered | Solar panels, solar batteries, EV chargers, solar roofing, mobile app and solar equipment manufacturing | Solar panels, solar batteries, EV chargers, energy efficiency audits, mobile app, optional service package and system monitoring | Solar panels, solar batteries, EV chargers, system monitoring, optional service package and a mobile app |
When you compare Tesla versus ADT Solar or Sunrun, the most noticeable differences are Tesla’s wider array of services and its in-house product offerings. Another distinguishing factor is Tesla’s relatively low pricing, which may drop to as low as $10,000 less than the other two companies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tesla Solar
Tesla manufactures its own solar panels and other equipment, including batteries. The company also manufactures and offers solar shingles for those interested in a solar roof system.
Tesla’s solar battery, the Powerwall, has a life expectancy of at least 10 years. The battery also comes with a 10-year warranty to cover manufacturing issues over that time.
Based on our research, an 8 kW solar system costs $16,000 to $23,000 with Tesla. Tesla’s solar panels are not as expensive as some other options, making its solar systems some of the most affordable systems on the market. Tesla also offers a price match guarantee and financing options to help customers achieve lower pricing.
Yes, Tesla Solar installs monocrystalline solar panels in its solar systems. This type of panel allows solar systems to generate a higher power output per unit area.
