Place an order online. Input your address and monthly electricity bill, and Tesla will provide an estimated system size to cover your current electricity usage as an initial starting point. Edit the system size and number of Powerwalls based on expected future changes to your home including energy usage such as adding an electric vehicle, or achieving specific goals such as long duration backup.
Tesla offers two solar energy solutions: Tesla solar panels or Solar Roof.
Solar Roof seamlessly unifies solar and non-solar roof tiles, blending the aesthetics of your home with material stronger than a traditional roof.
If you are not looking to upgrade your roof, our solar panels are a sleek and durable alternative — quietly converting sunlight to energy for decades. Integrated hardware and low-profile design secure the panels close to your roof and to each other for a minimalist aesthetic. Learn more about eligible options for your roof type. Solar panels and Solar Roof both integrate with Powerwall, allowing you to use clean energy during an outage or at night.
After placing your order, check the status in the ‘Next Steps’ section in your Tesla Account.
The system size shown during your order process is a starting point which will be further refined after a home assessment.
Use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.
You can cancel your order and request a full refund, if eligible, in your Tesla Account. For additional information regarding refund eligibility, review your Energy Products Order Agreement. To cancel your order, click ‘Details’ in the top-left corner of your Tesla Account. Then select ‘Cancel Order.’
After a layout is complete, your Tesla Account will be updated with design and payment details. Design change requests are not accommodated once your permit has been submitted. If Tesla-initiated changes are necessary, we will upload a new Price Sheet to your Tesla Account for you review and sign. Use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.
Yes. Tesla needs all pages of your latest electric bill to complete your design and submit for final utility approval of your system. Some utilities limit the system size based on your past energy usage. If you just moved into your home, provide an electric service statement including account holder, service address, account number, rate plan and meter number.
After receiving your utility bill, Tesla creates an initial layout. You will be notified when a layout is available in your Tesla Account for review.
After you upload all pages of your latest utility bill, Tesla uses a combination of high-resolution imagery and a home assessment to create a layout of your roof. Tesla’s Designers optimize solar tile locations for the highest production based on the useable roof space. Obstructions such as trees, vents, chimneys or other structures that block exposure to the sun are avoided.
After a layout is complete, your Tesla Account will be updated with details. Design change requests are not accommodated once you accept the payment details. If Tesla-initiated changes are necessary, we will upload a new Price Sheet to your Tesla Account for you to review and sign. Use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.
Homes usually have two different square footages, the conditioned and total area under roof. The conditioned square footage is the heated and cooled living area typically found on a realtor’s listing sheet. The total area under roof square footage includes areas not counted in conditioned square footage (like garages) and would be seen on a tax appraiser’s property records. For example, a home with 1800 conditioned square footage is 2200 square feet under roof when including a 400 square foot garage. When an initial system size layout is made with the conditioned square footage, we may increase it later to fit the total area under roof square footage.
Of your total roof space, only a limited amount may be good for solar. Some utilities also have solar system size limits. If a proposed layout requires any change from what you have approved, Tesla will upload a new Price Sheet to your Tesla Account for you to review and sign.
We encourage you to take future electricity needs into consideration when designing your system. Our solar systems are designed to produce clean electricity and minimize your dependence on utility for decades. Getting more solar would require an entirely new roof.
In the northern hemisphere, it is typically ideal to have your solar tiles on a southern-facing mounting plane. We may evaluate available northern-facing roof space to maximize production. Obstructions such as trees, vents, chimneys or other structures that block exposure to the sun are avoided.
Solar Roof is made of a combination of glass solar tiles and architectural-grade steel tiles. Only the solar tiles collect solar energy. The different tiles are indistinguishable on the roof.
Whole home backup means your Powerwall system can support your entire home with backup power during an outage. This includes 120 V loads such as lights, plugs and small appliances as well as 240 V heavy loads such as air conditioners, electric cooking ranges, well pumps, EV charging, electric dryers, electric water heaters, pool pumps and more.
Partial home backup means your Powerwall system excludes certain loads in the home. You will be asked to review and confirm equipment location and backup details in your Tesla Account. If you are provided partial home backup, the equipment location and backup details will specify which loads will not be backed up.
How much your Powerwall system can back up and for how long depends on the number of Powerwalls, how much electricity is produced by your solar system and your usage. The more Powerwalls and electricity produced, the longer your backup duration will be. The more energy you use, the faster your Powerwalls will be depleted. Find out more about what Powerwall can back up.
Our team will remove your gutters before installation starts. It is the customer’s responsibility to have them reinstalled when the Solar Roof is complete.
Copper is not allowed anywhere on or near the roof. Copper gutters are not allowed. Your new gutters will need to be fascia mounted.
Solar Roof is priced based on the total square footage of your roof, solar tile quantity, Powerwall quantity and installation complexity. Taxes may apply. Learn more about Tesla solar system pricing and energy options. We may also identify pre-construction costs, such as an electrical upgrade or trenching. If pricing changes, Tesla will present you with an updated Price Sheet in your Tesla Account for your signature.
The final price of your solar system is not determined until your system’s final design is complete. During the design process, Tesla will consider your roof dimensions, electrical system, local permitting and utility requirements. We may also identify pre-construction costs, such as an electrical upgrade or trenching. If the pricing changes, we will present you with an updated Price Sheet in your Tesla Account for your signature.
When your design is complete, you will review and accept the design in your Tesla Account. During the review, you can change your payment type. If you have already accepted your design, use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to request a payment type change. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.
After Tesla installs your solar system, you will still have an account with your electric utility provider and be connected to the grid. Your rate plan may change post-installation if required by your utility provider.
The cost of electricity varies widely by state and rate plan. Solar can greatly reduce your electric bill, but you will still have a residual bill. Your bill will depend on the size of your system relative to your energy need, local utility rates and what time of day you use energy.
If you are on a Time-of-Use rate plan, you can minimize utility charges by using less energy during peak hours. Set up your Powerwall’s Time-Based Control mode to automatically reduce your use of the grid when electricity is most expensive. Learn more about your utility bill after solar.
Purchasing a solar system may entitle you to state and federal tax credits and other incentives offered by local utilities, often taking the form of a rebate. Tax credits are typically claimed when filing income taxes, while rebates are claimed after purchase. We encourage you to consult with a tax advisor regarding any tax credits for which you may be eligible or any other tax related questions you may have regarding your system. All tax-related incentives in your pricing details are for informational purposes only.
Tesla may apply for some incentives associated with your project. If Tesla is assigned to receive an incentive, we will discount your purchase by the anticipated value of the incentive. Discounts will be itemized in your Price Sheet in your Tesla Account.
Tesla currently offers the following payment options:
Cash: Full payment is due at the time your system passes inspection.
Tesla Financing: Down payment is due at the time your system passes inspection. Your first payment is due after your system receives Permission to Operate (PTO). Monthly payments will be due on that same date going forward each month.
All billing and contract information related to your solar system is available in your Tesla Account.
Some HOAs have Architectural Review Committees that require the homeowner to submit plans and exterior changes to a committee for approval. HOA approval is the homeowner’s responsibility. We recommend that all customers contact their HOA to discuss solar energy installations and wait for HOA approval before scheduling installation. If your HOA requests any documentation from Tesla, use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.
After HOA approval, you can schedule installation. If the approval includes conditions or stipulations, send the details to your Project Advisor from the Question Center to ensure your system design meets HOA requirements. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.
Depending on your location, there may be solar access laws that protect your project. Some options are accommodating your HOA’s requests or appealing your HOA’s rejection. Send your denial to your Project Advisor from the Question Center and provide your desired course of action. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.
Your installation will be scheduled on the first available date after your system design is finalized and all necessary approvals are received.
If any earlier dates open, our scheduling team will reach out to pull your installation forward. If you need to reschedule your installation for any reason, you may do so through your Tesla Account.
Tesla will notify you if any tasks prior to your installation date are required. This may include removing shelving, relocating plants, cleaning the area and more. Learn more about how you can be prepared for installation.
Pre-construction (required work before solar installation) may be necessary. Common examples of pre-construction are electrical upgrades, trenching and transformer upgrades. For most pre-construction, you will be responsible for finding a local contractor to complete the work at your expense. Pre-construction may be identified during the design process or when we arrive at your home. If your order requires any changes, we will notify you and provide an updated Price Sheet in your Tesla Account for you to review and sign.
After your final design is complete, you will be asked to review and confirm equipment location and details in your Tesla Account. A typical install can include electrical panels, disconnects and meters in addition to your Tesla hardware. Learn more about what equipment is installed at your home.
Someone 18 years or older must be home for the first hour of the installation to ensure proper access to the site. Depending on your home, additional site access may be required as the installation progresses. If additional site access is required, our Crew Lead will coordinate with you to ensure someone is home.
Customer-requested design changes are not accommodated after you confirm your order and accept pricing details. The only changes made on installation day are if our crew mandates a slight change to ensure code compliance or safety regulations are met.
Tesla will work with you to schedule your installation on the earliest available date. Depending on the size and complexity of your Solar Roof, the amount of time to complete the installation will vary. On average, Solar Roof installations take 5 to 15 days to complete.
After installation is complete, our Inspection Coordinator will contact you to schedule a final building inspection. When payment is received, we will submit the results of the inspection and a final application to your utility company to receive Permission to Operate (PTO). Depending on your location, receiving PTO may take one to six weeks. We will notify you as soon as PTO has been granted and you are able to turn on your system.
Tesla works with your local city or county to schedule site inspections of solar installation. Inspection is usually scheduled one to three weeks following your installation. Some jurisdictions may require additional in-progress inspections. These additional inspections will be coordinated with the crew and should not require you to be home. If access to the attic is required for an inspection, we will schedule a visit with you.
After installation is complete, our Inspection Coordinator will contact you to schedule a final building inspection. Review our inspection checklist to prepare for your Solar Roof inspection.
We will submit the inspection report and a final application to your utility company to receive Permission to Operate (PTO). Depending on your location, receiving PTO will take one to six weeks.
We will notify you as soon as PTO has been granted and you are able to turn on your system. Any additional paperwork will be uploaded to your Tesla Account for you to review and sign.
Powerwall can be configured to meet your home’s specific energy needs. Use the Tesla app to monitor and manage your solar system’s performance with features and control modes such as Backup Reserve, Self-Powered and Time-Based Control.
The Tesla app allows you to manage your Tesla products from anywhere. Monitor day-to-day operations and understand the flow of energy in your home with its comprehensive view of your energy ecosystem. To get started, download the Tesla app and sign into your Tesla Account. Learn more about what the Tesla app offers for your energy products.
System production will be visible in your Tesla app within one hour of successfully activating your system. Learn more about monitoring your system.
Once your system has been fully activated, you can monitor performance and control all of your Tesla products through the Tesla app. Learn more about monitoring your system.
A force majeure event may include natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, lightning strikes and wildfires. Learn more about what to do following a force majeure event if your Solar Roof system has been affected. Ensure your solar equipment is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.