By Gary Elinoff, contributing writer
Tesla and Panasonic are teaming up to build a new line of 325-W rooftop solar panels. The action will take place in Tesla’s new Gigafactory 2, which is located in Buffalo, New York.
Overall, Tesla will be in charge of the operation, while Panasonic will be doing the actual manufacturing. The new solar panels will be available only through Tesla’s SolarCity unit. Additionally, SolarCity will, in the future, source exclusively from the joint venture. This represents a big departure for Solar City, which, until now, has been sourcing from a variety of manufacturers.
No visible mounting hardware
Using techniques previously developed at SolarCity, the hardware necessary to anchor the solar panels to the roof and to ferry the captured electricity from the roof to where it can be used is no longer visible. The front skirt, as seen below, completes the picture.
Tesla’s Sleek new rooftop solar panels. Image source: Tesla.
Maybe not quite the thing for engineers who love to look at neatly arranged nuts, bolts, and hardware. Not quite right either for homeowners who want to boast their devotion to alternative energy to their neighbors and to the rest of the world, either, because the look is so clean that no one will know. But for those who appreciate a neat, modern look, it’s a true thing of beauty.
When the sun doesn’t shine
The new solar panels are designed to integrate with Tesla’s Powerwall battery system. While it isn’t inexpensive at about $7,000, the Powerall battery can store a hefty 14 kWh, which is more than enough to run most households for a day or more. The addition of the battery makes it possible to “live off the grid” for those so inclined.
Of course, Powerwall isn’t the only battery you might consider to store your excess electrical power. Owners of Telsa’s rooftop solar panel might consider the purchase of one of the company’s electrically powered motor vehicles and charging its battery directly from their rooftop solar panels. Thus, in addition to never paying for electricity again, the owner will never again pay for gasoline, either.
Rooftop repair
These new energy systems, after they are paid off, will provide all or some of a household’s electricity at no cost whatsoever, aside from system maintenance. There may even be excess power available, which, depending on local specificities, may be sold to the local electrical utility.
There is one glaring question that is left unanswered. Roofs don’t last forever. When it’s time for roof repair, how much extra cost will be involved due to all of that extra rooftop technology?
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