Tesla unveils residential ‘solar roof’ with new battery storage system

Tesla will build and sell its own line of solar panels with integrated batteries.he Powerwall 2 will allow residential homeowners to replace their entire roof with solar panels and an updated Powerwall 2 battery system, making it much simpler for homes to be entirely powered by solar power.

The roof is made of a textured glass tile with integrated solar cells. The roofs look "as good or better" than conventional roofs, according to Musk. 

They look like normal roofing tiles from the ground, but are completely transparent to the sun. The tiles are hydrographically printed, which, Musk says, makes each one a "special snowflake tile," and no two roofs will be the same.

 "You can take any two roofs that look like that and they will be different — because they are different," said Musk.

There are a number of different versions of solar panels: Textured Glass Tile, Slate Glass Tile, Tuscan Glass Tile, and Smooth Glass Tile. Tesla says its glass tiles are much more durable than conventional roof tile — something that’s important in areas with risk of hail.

The Powerwall 2 can store 14 kWh of energy, with a 5 kW continuous power draw, and 7 kW peak. The battery is warranted for unlimited power cycles for up to 10 years. It can be floor or wall mounted, inside or outside. It can be used for load shifting or back-up power.

Musk says there are three parts to the solar energy solution: generation (solar panels), storage (batteries), and transportation (electric cars). Musk’s plan is to sell all three of those products through Tesla.

Those wishing to go entirely solar, with minimal draw off the electrical grid, would need to buy solar panels from a separate company (like SolarCity) as well as Powerwall batteries from Tesla. Now, customers will be able to buy both products from Tesla directly.

Availability and pricing of the solar roof — not to mention how the thing is actually installed and works — was not announced. The Powerwall is $5,500.