steppinthrax
Diamond Member
- Jul 17, 2006
- 3,990
- 6
- 81
They have both solar and non-solar tiles that look identical. So, you cut the non-solar tiles when you need to go around some obstruction. Tesla estimates a maximum of 70% coverage of the solar tiles.
While you can place these on an old building (Tesla will tear off your old roof as part of the install), I think their main target market is new homes in areas that don't typically use shingles (slate and tile) which are already high cost ($40k+) installs. This way you can design the house to have a roof that is oriented to the proper direction of the sun.
Solar cells are very redundant, you can use a pair of scissors to cut a cell away and it will still generate electricity. I would have liked them to incorporate that type of ability. Just that you would need multiple cell terminals, if you cut the entire thing in half. 70% roof coverage is not very much. End to End minus plumbing boots/skylights should be much much more than 70%....