Tesla Announces Glass Solar Panels

Whether you’re energy-conscious, interested in sustainability, or just looking for a way to improve the aesthetics of your home, Tesla might have something that captures your interest. Last week, Tesla (yes, the same company that makes electric cars), introduced a new approach to solar panels. Solar panels are typically made of specialized glass, and their design definitely puts function over form.

Many people are interested in incorporating solar energy into their homes, but solar panels weren’t really designed with aesthetics in mind. Until now. The company borrowed the homes on “Wisteria Lane” from the old Desperate Housewives set and re-roofed each abode with the company’s new solar tiles.

The tiles mimic the look of traditional roofing materials, including slate and terra cotta. There is a bit of trickery going on. Solar collectors are transparent; they need to be in order to admit sunlight. But the viewing angle is key to the visual ruse. A person standing on the ground is looking at a roof from a pretty shallow angle. As the viewing angle becomes more perpendicular, the transparency of the tile increases. At a 90° viewing angle, the Tesla solar tile is completely transparent, but frankly, no one looks at their roof from that angle, unless they’re walking around on it. From the ground, the roof tile looks completely opaque, and offers an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The tile is made of quartz and is exceptionally strong. It’s actually stronger than typical traditional roofing materials, and can tolerate being dropped, as well as impacts from objects that might naturally encounter a roof.

Tesla’s goal is to make solar energy beautiful and affordable, even for modest homes. At the unveiling of the ccompany’s Solar Roof, Tesla CEO Elon Musk also unveiled the Powerwall 2 battery system designed to work with the tiles. His goal is to make a 14 KWh system available for under $6,000. A fully-charged system of that size could power an average sized home for a day.

The plan isn’t quite ready for takeoff, yet. The company’s Board of Directors has to approve a merger with Solar City, a solar panel installer that’s run by Musk’s cousins. Assuming he receives the green light on the plan, you could soon be buying a new, elegantly designed solar roof for your home. While roofing doesn’t have the same appeal as a Roadster in the driveway might, your home may get some curb appeal of its own.

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Photo Credit: Tesla