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Tesla solar basics

The referral's $400 solar credit is small next to the system price. Here is what should drive the decision instead.

CCaroline · 2023 Model Y ownerUpdated September 20262 min read

The products

Solar panels are conventional panels mounted on your existing roof. This is the mainstream, cost-effective option. Solar Roof replaces the roof itself with tiles, some of which generate power. It costs far more and mainly makes sense if you need a new roof anyway and care about appearance. Powerwall is a home battery that stores solar output for the evening and keeps the house running in an outage.

What determines whether solar pays off

  • Your roof. Orientation, pitch, shading, and remaining roof life. Putting panels on a roof that needs replacing in five years means paying to remove and reinstall them.
  • Your electricity rate. The more you pay per kilowatt-hour, the faster solar pays back.
  • Your utility's export rules. How you are credited for power you send to the grid is the biggest single factor in the economics. Full retail net metering makes solar attractive on its own. Where export credits are low, a battery matters much more.
  • Incentives. Federal, state, and utility incentives have changed substantially in recent years. Check what currently applies to you rather than relying on older articles, including this one.
  • How long you will stay. Payback periods run for years. If you may move soon, the case is weaker.

Solar and an EV together

An EV raises your home electricity use meaningfully, which improves the return on a solar system because more of what you generate displaces power you would otherwise buy. If you are getting quotes, size the system with the car's charging included, and ask about charge-on-solar features that direct surplus generation into the car.

Getting quotes

Tesla's pricing is usually competitive and the ordering process is simple. The common criticisms concern installation scheduling and after-sale service responsiveness, which vary by region. Get at least two quotes from established local installers as well, and compare cost per watt, equipment, warranty terms, and who handles service.

So, the $400

Take it if you are already ordering Tesla solar. Do not let it choose the installer for you. A better-designed system or better local service is worth far more than $400 over the life of the system.

Ordering a Tesla?

Take a referral link with you.

It costs nothing and adds Tesla's current referral benefit to an eligible order: right now, three months of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) or $400 off solar. What the offer does and does not cover.

Your referral linkOwner link · 2023 Model Y
https://ts.la/caroline96933
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Open it before you place your order. On an eligible order, Tesla shows its current referral benefit at checkout. Tesla controls that benefit and can change it. I receive a referral benefit if you order through it.