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Psst.... wanna buy solar panels cheap?

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Nov 16, 2018.

  1. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I just saw this news come up- I'd think they would be excited about rebuilding torched California with new solar roofs over the next year or two...
     
    #1 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Nov 16, 2018
  2. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Reuters link no workee here. What price are they saying?

    I read Tesla solar roof tiles cost $21 per sq ft which is much more than photovoltaics that look like what they are.
     
    #2 tochatihu, Nov 16, 2018
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    for @tochatihu and anyone else walled out:

     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Nov 16, 2018
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  4. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Reuters is an admirable hard-news site and I do indeed miss it.
     
    #4 tochatihu, Nov 16, 2018
  5. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    On Tesla Solar roof page, slo-mo video of hailstone breaking competitors' panels. Worth a look.
     
    #5 tochatihu, Nov 16, 2018
  6. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    To fairly compare the price of roof tiles, you need to add the cost of the roof to the cost of PV cells, then compare to what the Tesla roof with equivalent capacity costs. Comparing just PV panels to tiles is not a fair comparison. Tesla tiles are a roof replacement product AND PV energy generators. Geared either to new construction or to people who are replacing the roof anyway and opt for Tesla roof.

    I also love that Tesla lowered the cost of its product by slashing sales in half.
     
    #6 VFerdman, Nov 16, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2018
  7. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    One cannot but agree.
     
    #7 tochatihu, Nov 16, 2018
  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I'm curious to see how well their roofing product ages. I can't help but think there will be problems with all those interconnects and weather exposure. I imagine I'll have some ordinary panels up long before the jury is back, though.
     
    #8 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Nov 16, 2018
  9. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    Somebody has to be buying these Tesla roofs. Because we're busting our tails getting these things out the door. Well to be honest, we're busting our tails for all our customers right now. It's as if the energy storage business is in overdrive right now.

    (I should add that we only make the battery cases, not the actual battery for these things).
     
    #9 dubit, Nov 17, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2018
    tochatihu and VFerdman like this.
  10. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    I wonder what any of the solar system manufacturers -- roofs, panels, or otherwise have to say regarding warranties. Of course, some of this information I expect to have details describing % degradation versus age. There's a lot to consider here. Not to mention the unknown future of electricity prices, and what I expect to be a marked increase going forward - to cover infrastructure improvements/upgrades, etc.
     
    #10 KennyGS, Nov 17, 2018
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't you lease it and let someone else maintain?
     
    #11 bisco, Nov 17, 2018
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