Connect with us

Energy

What is the cost of charging your Tesla using rooftop solar?

Published

8 years ago

on

Following the announcement that Tesla has begun selling its Solar Roof tile, Model S and Model X owners, as well as Model 3 reservation holders, might be wondering how much of an investment would be required if one were to charge their Tesla through solar.

After all, Elon Musk’s grand vision for Tesla is to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy which he breaks down into a 3-pronged approach.

  • First – convert all power generation to solar power. The company’s acquisition of SolarCity last year brings this into the fold and Tesla has already started to reshape the solar strategy since then.
  • Second – store the energy. Tesla’s fundamental product is the battery pack which it has developed for vehicular, residential and commercial use. Battery storage units like the Powerwall and Powerpack store excess power generated through solar which can be used at a later time when sunlight isn’t available.
  • Third – convert all transportation to electric (with the exception of rockets). Though Tesla is arguably best known for its fleet of electric cars, Must has said in the past that vehicles will represent a small portion of the overall business in the long run.

To determine the cost of solar for his home, Ben Sullins of Teslanomics uses his 5.12kW solar system that is comprised of 16 solar panels as a benchmark. It’s worth nothing that the solar system being referred to isn’t Tesla’s Solar Roof tile which isn’t available until later this year, but a traditional rooftop solar system using solar panels.

Because of the abundance of sunshine where Sullins lives, the system was designed to offset his total annual consumption of electricity. Looking at it from an month-to-month perspective, the system over produces electricity in the summer and under produces in the winter.

Those living in an area where their utility has a less than favorable net-metering agreement in place like Nevada, residential energy storage systems like the Powerall can store the power generated during the day for use at night.

The solar system Sullins mapped out in his video costs roughly $20,000 before factoring in a $6,000 federal tax credit. This takes the total out-of-pocket cost down to $14,000 for a system that will offset all of his electricity usage. Spreading this cost over the estimated 25-year life of the solar system and he’s paying approximately $47 a month for the system over its entire life.

Advertisement

Sullins notes that his annual cost of electricity was $2,300 before the solar installation which dropped to $10 a month which is a mandated connection fee for staying connected to the grid.

To better understand the portion of his utility bill that reflects energy used by his Tesla Model S, Sullins isolated the “super off-peak” usage (late night to early morning hours) as a percentage of the total cost which came out to 45%.

The total cost of his solar system is $10 for the monthly utility connection charge and $47 for the solar system, totaling $57 a month. Taking the percentage of the bill that represents the Tesla’s usage (45%) and he has a monthly cost of $26 for charging his Model S through solar.

There you have it. Installing a residential rooftop solar system can save Tesla owners a grip of cash by generating their own power. This effectively lets them drive on sunshine, leading to a truly zero-emissions driving experience.

Advertisement
Related Topics:

I'm passionate about clean technology, sustainability and life. I've worked in manufacturing, IT, project management and environmental...and enjoy unpacking complex topics in layman's terms. TSLA investor. Find more of my words on my website or follow me on Twitter for all the latest. Tesla Referral link: http://ts.la/kyle623

Comments

Energy

Tesla lands in Texas for latest Megapack production facility

Published

2 weeks ago

on

March 5, 2025

By

(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla has chosen the location of its latest manufacturing project, a facility that will churn out the Megapack, a large-scale energy storage system for solar energy projects. It has chosen Waller County, Texas, as the location of the new plant, according to a Commissioners Court meeting that occurred on Wednesday, March 5.

Around midday, members of the Waller County Commissioners Court approved a tax abatement agreement that will bring Tesla to its area, along with an estimated 1,500 jobs. The plant will be located at the Empire West Industrial Park in the Brookshire part of town.

Brookshire also plans to consider a tax abatement for Tesla at its meeting next Thursday.

The project will see a one million square-foot building make way for Tesla to build Megapack battery storage units, according to Covering Katy News, which first reported on the company’s intention to build a plant for its energy product.

CEO Elon Musk confirmed on the company’s Q4 2024 Earnings Call in late January that it had officially started building its third Megapack plant, but did not disclose any location:

Advertisement

“So, we have our second factory, which is in Shanghai, that’s starting operation, and we’re building a third factory. So, we’re trying to ramp output of the stationary battery storage as quickly as possible.”

Tesla plans third Megafactory after breaking energy records in 2024

The Megapack has been a high-demand item as more energy storage projects have started developing. Across the globe, regions are looking for ways to avert the loss of power in the event of a natural disaster or simple power outage.

This is where Megapack comes in, as it stores energy and keeps the lights on when the main grid is unable to provide electricity.

Vince Yokom of the Waller County Economic Development Partnership, commented on Tesla’s planned Megapack facility:

Advertisement

“I want to thank Tesla for investing in Waller County and Brookshire. This will be a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for their Megapack product. It is a powerful battery unit that provides energy storage and support to help stabilize the grid and prevent outages.”

Tesla has had a lease on the building where it will manufacture the Megapacks since October 2021. However, it was occupied by a third-party logistics company that handled the company’s car parts.

Continue Reading

Energy

Tesla Energy had a blockbuster 2024

Published

3 months ago

on

December 31, 2024

By

Credit: Tesla

Tesla Energy has become the undisputed dark horse of the electric vehicle maker. This was highlighted by Tesla Energy’s growing role in the company’s overall operations in the past quarters. 

And as per Tesla’s year-end milestone posts on X, Tesla Energy had a blockbuster 2024.

Tesla Energy’s 2024 milestones:

  • As per Tesla on its official social media account on X, the company has hit over 800,000 Powerwalls installed worldwide. 
  • From this number, over 100,000 Powerwall batteries have been enrolled in virtual power plant (VPP) programs.
  • The Powerwall 3 has officially been launched in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.K., Germany, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • The Tesla Megapack hit over 22 GWh in operation across more than 60 countries across the globe.
  • The Lathrop Megafactory, which produces the Megapack, has been ramped to 40 GWh per year. 
  • The Lathrop Megafactory has also produced its 10,000th Megapack battery.
  • The Shanghai Megafactory was completed in just seven months, and it is ready to start Megapack production in Q1 2025.

Powerwall owners’ 2024 impact:

  • As per Tesla Energy, Powerwall owners generated a total of 4.5 TWh of solar energy globally in 2024. This was equivalent to powering a Model 3 for more than 17 billion miles.
  • A total of 1.1 TWh of energy was stored in Powerwalls in 2024. This protected homes from over 5.8 million outages during the year.
  • Tesla’s Storm Watch feature for Powerwall batteries covered 2.8 million severe weather events over the year.
  • Powerwall owners saw collective savings of over $800 million on utility bills.
  • Virtual Power Plants contributed over 2.2 GWh of power to the grid. This reduced the need for 2,200 metric tons of fossil fuel peaker plant emissions.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Continue Reading

Energy

Utah’s rPlus Energies breaks ground on Tesla Megapack battery system

Published

6 months ago

on

September 24, 2024

By

Credit: Tesla

Utah-based rPlus Energies recently held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Green River Energy Center, a 400 MW solar PV and 400 MW/1,600 MWh battery storage project in Eastern Utah. Tesla Megapacks will be used as the upcoming facility’s battery storage solution. 

At 400 MW/1,600 MWh, the Green River Energy Center is expected to become one of the largest solar-plus-storage projects under development in the United States. Once operational, the facility would supply power to PacifiCorp under a power purchase agreement, as noted in a press release. 

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox shared his excitement for the project during the Green River Energy Center’s groundbreaking event. As per the Utah Governor, the solar and battery storage system represents a notable step forward for the state’s sustainable energy efforts. 

“This project is being built in rural Utah, by rural Utahns, and for all of Utah. When rural Utah thrives, the entire state prospers. Today, we’re not just breaking ground—we’re building a future of affordable, abundant energy in Utah,” the official noted. 

The Green River Energy Center secured over $1 billion in construction debt financing earlier this year. The facility is also expected to create about 500 jobs, many of which will be filled by local workers. With this in mind, the solar and battery farm would likely prove to be a boost to Emery County’s economy, enhancing tax revenue, strengthening public services, and offering long-term employment opportunities for the area’s residents. 

Advertisement

Sundt Construction will serve as the project’s contractor, EliTe Solar will supply the solar modules, and Tesla will provide the battery storage system for the project. Luigi Resta, President and CEO of rPlus Energies, noted that the Green River Energy Center is special because of the entities that have worked together to make the facility a reality. 

“It’s the partners that make this project special, that have made this monumental project possible. From our equipment providers to the onsite talent, and the support of the local and regional community, we owe this project’s success to each of you,” he stated. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Continue Reading

Trending