Tesla's new Solar Roof: cheaper than your regular roof

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By CGTN intern Zhou Jingwen

Tesla has completed installations of its first Solar Roof products after they were first introduced last year.

The panels are almost indistinguishable from high-end roofing. From most angles, the slick modern panels look like standard materials – giving an aesthetically pleasing option for those who normally shy away from traditional panel designs. Tesla's Solar Roof products work like normal panels in terms of gathering light and turning it into energy.

Existing solar panels may not blend well with the exterior of homes. /VCG Photo

The first Solar Roof products were installed on houses of Tesla employees, as both a reward for their work and a test to improve the product before taking it to a wider audience. The first customer deliveries are not expected until October.

“I have them on my house, JB has them on his house,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, referring to Tesla’s Chief Technology Officer J.B. Straubel. “This is version one. I think this roof is going to look really knock-out as we just keep iterating.”

The company has announced the price of 21.85 US dollars per square foot, which is cheaper than a regular roof. Keep in mind that Tesla's roof will virtually pay for itself as it generates electricity.

Initial sales will be limited due to the manufacturing capacity, according to Musk. But the Solar Roof will be available in other countries after a production ramp up in 2018.