Tesla solar review: Is the tech worth the hype?

Tesla Energy Solar at a glance

Tesla’s competitively priced solar panels and backup storage batteries make it one of the best solar companies for those looking for a modern solar system and willing to sacrifice durability and customer service.

Fast facts

What we like

Tesla solar panels offer several things to like. The company produces monocrystalline panels that generate an above-average 420 watts of energy. Tesla also manufactures a range of other solar products, including solar batteries and inverters, and it’s one of the few solar panel companies to sell solar shingles. Because Tesla’s solar panel prices are cheaper than other national solar providers, its panels are attractive to anyone looking for an affordable solar power option.

What we don’t like

While we like the power output that Tesla’s solar panels deliver, they aren’t the most efficient, nor are they the most durable solar panels on the market. Their efficiency ratings for Tesla’s panels is around 19.3% to 19.6%, below the 24% efficiency performance of the top solar panels on the market.

Tesla’s solar panels also have a higher degradation rate than other solar providers. While Tesla’s warranty only guarantees 80% power output at Year 25, others, such as REC Group, offer up to 92%.

Tesla solar panels pros and cons

Tesla’s monocrystalline panels produce plenty of power with wattage ratings that exceed 400 watts, and they’re available at an attractive price. Unfortunately, the company’s customer service is lacking. Poor customer reviews litter every review site we analyzed, and the talk of inconsistent scheduling, canceled appointments and long wait times paints a picture of a frustrating customer experience.

Pros

Cons

How much do Tesla solar panels cost?

Tesla allows you to get a quote for solar panels through its website, so I entered my address into its search engine to see just how much a Tesla solar system would cost. From my experience, you can expect to pay around $2.75 per watt, based on my quote of $16,706 for a 6.075 kW for a home in North Carolina, you can expect to pay around $2.75 per watt.

The per-wattage price decreases slightly for larger systems. Tesla quoted me $22,538 for an 8.5 kW system, about $2.65 per watt, not including savings from federal solar tax credits. This price puts Tesla among the more affordable solar options on the market. Tesla will also match the cost of similarly sized solar systems for competitor quotes received within 14 days of an original quote.

What solar panels does Tesla offer?

Tesla offers customers solar panels and solar shingles. The company’s solar panels come in 400-watt sizes,making them among the most powerful on the market. Because Tesla’s panels are made from black anodized aluminum and black solar cells, they have a nicer look than most, making them a sound choice for people concerned about the aesthetics of their roofs.

Efficiency ratings for Tesla’s solar panels are 19.3% to 19.6%. That’s good, but it’s less efficient than other solar providers, with solar panels of 22% and higher efficiency ratings.

Tesla’s solar panels operate at a 0.54% annual degradation rate. So, by Year 25, they’ll have lost about 20% of their ability to generate electricity. While this rate isn’t bad, it’s more loss than panels from other solar panel providers. For instance, Panasonic and REC Solar have degradation rates that are half of Tesla’s rate.

Tesla services

Tesla add-ons and optional features

In addition to solar panels, Tesla offers the following options:

Solar battery

Tesla’s Powerwall is a backup battery system for residential solar systems. Powerwall comes in three options:

Tesla quoted us $10,500 for a Tesla Powerwall with our 5.265 kW system, though our quote didn’t specify the type of Powerwall.

Solar roof

Tesla is one of a handful of solar companies that sells solar shingles. Because Tesla sells its solar roof through certified installers, it doesn’t provide online pricing or power output specs for its solar shingles. However, solar roofs are typically more expensive and less efficient than solar panels.

You should expect to pay around $12.50 per watt or $75,000 or more for a 6 kW solar roof before you see any savings from federal tax credits.

Tesla customer service and experience

One of the biggest concerns about Tesla is poor customer service. Stories abound of Tesla offering excellent customer service during the quote process, only to be unavailable to help customers after a contract is signed.

Many customers complain about solar panels that fail to operate, ghosting from contractors and delays caused by Tesla not communicating with local power companies. Yet, Tesla seems to have more positive customer reviews since the supply chain issues from the pandemic were ironed out. Below are two sample Tesla solar customer service reviews:

Understanding Tesla’s installation process

After you place a solar panel order on Tesla’s website, the company will calculate the size system you need based on your annual energy use. Then, it will use satellite imagery and a site survey to design your system. Tesla will work to get the proper permits and inspections for your solar system from the city, along with a Permission to Operate from your utility company, a process that can take up to six weeks.

Once Tesla secures the necessary permits, it will schedule an installation date. Tesla completes most solar installations in a day, requiring you to be at home only for the first hour of the installation. You should be prepared to have power to the house cut off for several hours while Tesla finishes the installation. Once the completed installation is approved by the local building department, you can begin using it.

Tesla vs. competitors

While Tesla’s low price attracts many customers to its solar system, tit  trails other solar companies in other key categories. Its 25-year production warranty is similar to others but at a low guaranteed output of 80%. And while Tesla solar panels produce a high max wattage of 420 watts, their 19.3% efficiency rating is lower than some of the top solar panel providers.

Solar companies like Panasonic, LONGi Solar and REC solar have efficiency ratings that hover around 22% and 25-year production warranties that guarantee power output as high as 92% in Year 25.

You should also consider Tesla’s spotty customer service record when deciding whether to use Tesla as a solar provider. While Tesla’s low prices make it a sound option for those looking to add solar panels on a tight budget, that low price comes at a cost in terms of long-term performance and customer service.

Tesla competitor comparison

Methodology

We use several criteria to rank the solar providers on our list, including solar panel output, price, efficiency, durability, warranty and our expert opinion about the company. Our ratings come from extensive research covering over 170 products from 15 top national solar companies.

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