Tesla Solar Roof Could Cost Less than a Normal Roof

Earlier this month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled a new range of roof tiles that incorporate solar panel technology which, in tandem with the Powerwall home battery, collects and stores electricity. Following a recent shareholder event, Musk has revealed that Tesla’s solar roof – developed in partnership with SolarCity – will probably cost less to consumers than buying a conventional terracotta roof, which the product mimics, even before electricity savings are factored in.

“It’s looking quite promising that a solar roof will actually cost less than a normal roof before you even take the value of electricity into account,” Musk said (via International Business Times). “So the basic proposition would be, ‘Would you like a roof that looks better than a normal roof, lasts twice as long, costs less, and by the way generates electricity?’ It’s like, why would you get anything else?”

“So the basic proposition will be: Would you like a roof that looks better than a normal roof, lasts twice as long, costs less and—by the way—generates electricity?” he said (via Bloomberg). “Why would you get anything else?”

“Electricity,” he added, “is just a bonus.”

Musk was speaking following a successful vote by Tesla and SolarCity shareholders to merge the two companies.