The chief executive of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has said orders for its solar roof product will open today, with prices to be comparable with the price of a regular roof once energy savings are factored in.
Tesla solar glass roof orders open this afternoon. I think it will be great. More in about 10 hours ...
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10 May 2017
In posts on Twitter, Elon Musk said the tiles can be ordered from any country from this afternoon, with “deployment” to be this year for the US, and next year for overseas - including the UK.
Solar roof can be ordered for almost any country. Deployment this year in the US and overseas next year.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10 May 2017
Musk also said that smooth and textured glass tiles will be offered first, with tiles that mimic slate and clay - called Tuscan - coming in about six months.
Meanwhile, a blog post on Tesla’s website also confirmed the US and overseas timelines for the solar panel installations and the roof styles.
It said that a US$1,000 refundable deposit is required to place an order, and the group will offer financing options for US solar roof installation by the end of the year.
Tesla estimated that a typical homeowner would expect to pay US$21.85 a square foot for the solar roof, “and benefit from a beautiful new roof that also increases the value of their home.”
The move is part of Tesla’s long-term goal of offering solar panels to its customers.
In November, the electric car group completed its US$2.6bn acquisition of solar-power provider SolarCity Corp., which was founded by Musk’s cousins, Lyndon and Peter Rive.