Tesla begins to match solar power prices, lowering the cost of solar power – here’s how to benefit
Tesla is starting to price match its solar products, potentially lowering the cost of entry.
Here’s how to take advantage of it.
Over the past year, Tesla has attempted to revamp its solar business.
Not just with new solar roofing products, but also with more traditional solar panels on existing roofs, which still make up the bulk of Tesla’s solar business.
Last year, Tesla launched a new solar subscription where homeowners can have a solar panel system installed in their homes without charge or contract.
They only pay a monthly fee to access solar power generated by the system to reduce their electricity bill.
However, homeowners will still have an interest in purchasing their solar power systems for the long term.
As Tesla scaled back SolarCity’s solar installations, several other companies, such as Sunrun and Vivint, took over the residential solar market at competitive prices.
In order to be competitive with these companies, Tesla is now offering a new price alignment policy.
Tesla wrote:
In order to keep our promise to provide you with solar power at the lowest price, Tesla offers a Price Match Guarantee. Join us in accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy, while getting the cheapest solar panels, in a quick and easy installation process.
Here’s how to get a price match from Tesla Energy:
- Place an order to compare prices
- Email Tesla with a copy of your competitive proposal:
- To: [email protected]
- Subject: Price equalization guarantee
- Body: Reservation number
- Join your competitive offer
- Tesla will compare your proposal to the price of our comparable system size and notify you of the eligibility
Solar prices
Solar energy prices can vary due to many factors, mainly the quality of the solar modules, the size of the system and the different market conditions.
For a 4 kW system, which is Tesla’s smallest solar solution, Solar Energy Reviews reports that the average price in the United States is $ 3.72 per watt.
It gets smaller as the system gets bigger. For a 12 kW solar system, the average price drops below $ 3 per watt.
These prices vary considerably depending on the market. Here are the average prices in some of the largest solar markets in the United States:
| State | Average cost per watt | System cost 5kW after tax credit |
Average Lifetime Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $ 2.80 | $ 10,755 | $ 94,429 |
| California | $ 3.41 | $ 13,247 | $ 99,181 |
| Colorado | $ 3.24 | $ 12,642 | $ 64,712 |
| Connecticut | $ 2.86 | $ 10,312 | $ 97,425 |
| Florida | $ 3.04 | $ 11,209 | $ 116,671 |
| Massachusetts | $ 3.22 | $ 11,652 | $ 119,402 |
| Nevada | $ 2.36 | $ 8,580 | $ 93,299 |
| New Jersey | $ 2.89 | $ 10,586 | $ 143,955 |
| New Mexico | $ 3.22 | $ 12,346 | $ 66,748 |
| new York | $ 3.41 | $ 12,836 | $ 137,512 |
| Oregon | $ 2.70 | $ 9,993 | $ 42,033 |
| Caroline from the south | $ 3.29 | $ 14,169 | $ 87,565 |
| Texas | $ 2.75 | $ 10,384 | $ 74,900 |
| Utah | $ 3.00 | $ 11,240 | $ 45,483 |
| Washington | $ 2.91 | $ 12,294 | $ 67,074 |
For comparison, in California, Tesla lists a 7.56 kW solar system for $ 19,500 or $ 2.58 per watt before the incentives, and $ 14,430 after the federal tax credit.
Get a quote to compare Tesla solar prices
We always recommend getting several quotes from leading solar installers and local companies before going ahead with a system. You can sometimes be surprised by small local installers.
Understanding Solar is a great free service for connect you with the best solar installers in your area for free personalized solar estimates.
Then you also need an official Tesla quote and you can use our code (frederic5610) for a $ 100 reward on your Tesla solar panel installation after activating the system if you end up using it.
Taking Electek
I think this is new evidence showing that Tesla wants to dramatically increase its solar installations.
They go from a significant downturn in installations to focus on higher gross margin systems to a desire to lower prices with competitors who price-match.
This is likely to increase competition in the industry and lower prices even further.
I wouldn’t necessarily go with Tesla solar even if they have the best prices, because there are other things involved, like the modules and inverters used in specific installations.
However, I really like Tesla’s solar / energy user interface, which I think could be a differentiator for Tesla. Other companies that have smart inverters have similar offerings, but I think Tesla’s UI is really cool.
Although you can also get it without a Tesla solar installation if you get a Powerwall, which are offered by other solar installers.
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
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