Energy Efficiency, Industrial, Solar  -  January 10, 2018

Tesla begins solar roof production at gigafactory

Tesla Inc. has begun production of electricity-producing shingles, more than a year after the company introduced the concept, according to a report from Bloomberg News.

Manufacturing of the photovoltaic glass tiles began last month in Buffalo,  Bloomberg reports, more than a year after Tesla unveiled the shingles.

Offering a solar alternative to homeowners looking to replace aging roofs, the photovoltaic glass tiles look like ordinary shingles—though at a price estimated at $57,000 for a 2,000 square-foot house, compared to $22,000 for a conventional asphalt roof with panels.

Describing the higher cost as "not wickedly so," Hugh Bromley, a New York-based Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst noted, "It may actually do well in overseas markets where solar-photovoltaic is cheap and homeowners are used to paying a premium for building materials and cars--such as Australia."

Tesla began production of solar cells and panels earlier this year at its Gigafactory 2 location in Buffalo, N.Y., boosted by $750 million from New York State to build the 1.2 million-square-foot factory. The plant is expected to create close to 8,000 jobs statewide, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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