Tesla Solar Panels Cost & Services Review (2023)

Karsten Neumeister is an experienced energy professional with subject-matter expertise in energy policy and the solar and retail energy industries. He is currently the Communications Manager for the Retail Energy Advancement League and has prior experience writing and editing content for EcoWatch. Before EcoWatch, Karsten worked for Solar Alternatives, curating content, advocating for local renewable energy policy and assisting the solar engineering and installation teams. Throughout his career, his work has been featured on various outlets including NPR, SEIA, Bankrate, PV Mag and the World Economic Forum.

Tesla may be known for revolutionizing the automotive industry through its economic electric vehicles (EVs), but does Elon Musk's company do the same for solar energy? Since Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016, the company has offered solar panel systems, including its unique solar roof, across the United States.

We at the Guides Home Team know that a solar power system is a serious investment. We determined the best solar companies in the United States through in-depth comparisons of each provider to national averages, customer review analysis and more. We have compiled our findings and recommendations about Tesla Solar in this easy-to-understand review.

Although Tesla manufactures solar panels and batteries, it does not provide installation services. Choose one of our preferred Tesla Certified installers from the panel below to get started with your installation.

Here are a few highlights to consider about Tesla Solar:

Tesla Energy started offering solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in 2016 with its acquisition of SolarCity, which had been in business for more than 10 years prior. Since then, Tesla has expanded availability for its solar services to homeowners nationwide. However, when speaking to the company, a representative told us that service areas vary in all 50 states according to zip code. Check with a Tesla Solar representative to determine whether the company offers its solar system installation services for your home.

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Tesla's minimalistic solar shingles stand out in the solar industry. These smaller panels with no visible grid can replicate the aesthetic of roof shingles for a low profile. When the panels are interlocked, they mimic the look of a standard roof.

The company also offers monocrystalline solar panel systems. It makes the process simple through its standardized sizes: small (12 panels), medium (24 panels), large (36 panels) and extra-large (48 panels). Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient panels on the market. Tesla's panels produce 425 watts and feature an average efficiency rate of 19.6%. Its panels are also durable as they operate from minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tesla also offers energy storage and an alternative solar power generator with its battery storage, the Tesla Powerwall. The Powerwall solar battery collects energy that your solar panels generate and stores it. This energy storage device provides backup power for your home during nighttime, low sunlight weather and power outages.

Get a quote from solar installers similar to Tesla today.

Tesla handles every part of your solar system's installation, from site inspection to Permission to Operate (PTO). Learn about the installation process with Tesla here:

Other services offered by Tesla for its solar products include any repairs or replacements that must occur under its 10-year comprehensive warranty. This warranty applies to any Powerwall solar batteries, solar inverter and issues with roof leaks from the mounting system.

Tesla also offers a smartphone app to manage your Tesla solar system and any other Tesla products you own. This app allows you to monitor and control your solar panels, Powerwall battery and Tesla EVs into one user-friendly space. The Tesla app displays a real-time power flow, which shows how your Powerwall and solar system work together and sets custom preferences for how you want the system to generate and store solar energy.

Tesla provides a cost calculator online that estimates the cost of solar panels based on your address and average monthly electric bill. Tesla's pricing falls toward the higher end of the average cost for solar panels. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average price of a 6-kilowatt-hour (kWh) system ran between $16,000 and $21,000 in 2021.

We obtained quotes from Tesla for a 2,000-square-foot home in Dallas with an average monthly electric bill of $170. The roof space is approximately 2,329 square feet. Each price also includes one Tesla Powerwall, quoted at $10,000.

Tesla also offers a price-match guarantee for its solar panel systems.

All Tesla solar panels come with a 25-year performance guarantee and a 10-year comprehensive warranty. The comprehensive warranty covers repairs and replacements of any solar system components.

The 25-year performance guarantee states that the panels will perform for at least 80% of the manufacturer's nameplate power capacity for at least 25 years. Other solar providers tend to offer performance guarantees with no power capacity conditions.

You can obtain a quote from Tesla Solar on its website after providing your home's address and average monthly electricity bill. To obtain a more accurate estimate, you need to contact the company and undergo a virtual survey with a customer service representative. This process involves going over your energy needs and surveying your property through satellite.

Tesla customers always own their systems through a cash purchase or loan in select states.

Get a quote from solar installers similar to Tesla today.

Overall, Tesla Solar has mixed reviews on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. However, these reviews are for all of Tesla's products, not just its solar products. The company features an A+ rating and does not have accreditation.*

Critical reviews of Tesla's solar panels mention communication and scheduling difficulties. Meanwhile, other customers praised the company for its solar system's integration, equipment quality and savings.

We reached out to Tesla about these negative comments as well as about the vague language in the warranty and long wait times for service, but we had not received a reply as of the publication date of this article.

Read over some Tesla customers’ experiences below.

"The whole procedure was smooth and easy for me. Neal was an excellent advisor, clear, concise and knowledgeable. The installation company kept me up to date via email. It took very little effort on my part. My electricity bill has [been] $0.00 for the last three months!" —Randy W. via BBB

"After researching for months about switching to Solar Panels we decided to go with Tesla Energy Solar, it's been really a good experience. Installation and City Permits[,] everything [was] done quick[ly] and so far so good. It's been almost a [year] since we did it." —Rocio A. via BBB

"I placed an order with Tesla to install solar panels on my house on 18Mar2021 and based on the agreement the solar system was supposed to be activated the latest in Jul2021 and as [of] today 22Jan2022 the solar system has not been activated. Tesla broke the agreement. After placing the order, I requested project timelines which I never received from Tesla. The solar panels were installed in September 2021." —Juan R. via BBB

"We have Tesla solar panels. We were informed that our panels needed repair. This was done in August 0f 2021. We tried calling. Very hard to get [through] to them. When we did they told us [maintenance] would start in October of 2021, then they rescheduled for November 2021, then they rescheduled for December of 2021, they then rescheduled for January 3rd[,] 2022, then they rescheduled for January 28, 2022. When they showed up to do the work it took only [an] hour and a half." —Jack M. via BBB

*Better Business Bureau information is accurate as of November 2022.

Overall, Tesla offers industry-standard solar systems in terms of efficiency and cost. The Tesla solar shingles and roof have a sleek approach to design, and the company provides a solid guarantee for its work. In addition, the Tesla Powerwall is one of the most reputable solar batteries on the market. Finally, the Tesla app makes controlling and monitoring your system approachable from anywhere at any time.

If you are more interested in renewable energy with higher performance and efficiency, you may want to consider a different solar installation company like SunPower. SunPower's panels reach efficiency rates as high as 22%. You might also be more concerned about leasing a system than owning one, which other providers like Sunrun offer.

You may have to wait between one and six months to install Tesla solar panels. This time frame varies according to location due to local legislation and regulations.

Tesla solar panels feature an average lifespan of 25 years.

Tesla partners with Hanwha for its solar modules. Specifically, it uses the manufacturer's QPeak Duo Black solar panel line. Tesla ended a deal with Panasonic to produce solar panels in 2020, though the two companies still work together on EVs.

There is no risk of damaging your Tesla solar roof tiles by walking on them. However, the solar roof can become very slippery due to its design. It is best to contact the company or a professional if you run into any issues that require you to get on your Tesla solar roof.

We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider's score out of five stars. Here's how we assessed each company:

Alex Hawkins is an avid writer and researcher specializing in solar, pet insurance and home improvement. When he isn't surveying homeowners to understand their pain points or speaking with professionals in the industries he covers, Alex can often be found creating videos for his YouTube channel, Analysis with Alex, or attending a heavy metal show.

Roxanne Downer has more than 15 years as a news, finance and lifestyle writer and editor. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she has previously worked at Deutsche Bank, BNY Mellon, Financial Week and MSN Money.

Karsten Neumeister is an experienced energy professional with subject-matter expertise in energy policy and the solar and retail energy industries. He is currently the Communications Manager for the Retail Energy Advancement League and has prior experience writing and editing content for EcoWatch. Before EcoWatch, Karsten worked for Solar Alternatives, curating content, advocating for local renewable energy policy and assisting the solar engineering and installation teams. Throughout his career, his work has been featured on various outlets including NPR, SEIA, Bankrate, PV Mag and the World Economic Forum.