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Title: Tesla unveils sleek glass solar roof tiles
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Published: Nov 25, 2016
Author: Daniel Uria
Post Date: 2016-11-25 04:35:56 by Tatarewicz
Keywords: None
Views: 291
Comments: 16
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Tesla chief executive Elon Musk unveiled a new series of glass roof tiles with built-in solar panels in Los Angeles Friday night. The line of new solar paneled roofing, produced by solar power company SolarCity, is intended to become part of a personal alternative energy ecosystem made up of Tesla products including solar roofs, batteries and electric cars, the company said. Musk showed off the new solar paneled roof tiles, which come in several styles including smooth, textured and tuscan, by fitting them to several houses on the set of former ABC television series Desperate Housewives at Universal Studios Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles Times "The key is to make solar look good," he said. "We want you to call your neighbors over and say, 'Check out this sweet roof.'" No price was given for the tiles, but Musk said they would be cheaper than fitting a traditional roof and then adding solar on top, according to the BBC. A new version of Tesla's home battery product, the Powerwall 2, was also revealed at the launch event and will cost $5,500. The Powerwall 2 is intended to store up to 14 kWh of surplus solar energy to provide energy to homes and Tesla vehicles when the sun is not shining. The stylish tiles came as a result of Tesla's impending $2 billion acquisition of SolarCity. Shareholders from the two companies are scheduled to vote on the merger on Nov. 17 amid concerns the takeover is essentially a buyout of the struggling company. Musk is SolarCity's chief technology officer as well as its largest share holder, while the company's chief executive, Lyndon Rive, is his cousin. The solar panels are expected to begin rolling out by summer time, beginning with the United State's largest solar market in California. Tesla posted a surprise profit in its last quarterly earnings for the firs time in three years and Rive said he expected SolarCity to see growth following the unveiling. "I'm expecting to increase dramatically in Q4," he said. Close up of the solar roof pic.twitter.com/kDsSqtTWK7 — Tesla (@TeslaMotors) October 29, 2016 Like Us on Facebook for more stories from UPI.com
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#1. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
I've seen these solar roof tiles and they look sharp. But the question now is what is the cost?
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
...and how well will they resist damage from hail stones?
In the initial report that I read, Musk said that they would outlast the house.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
what? the payments! Yes, how well will it endure a North Texas hailstorm? I'm guessing it will only be practical in the Western states.
#2. To: BTP Holdings (#1)
what is the cost?
#3. To: Tatarewicz (#2)
#4. To: Lod (#3)
In the initial report that I read, Musk said that they would outlast the house.
I used to be in a hurry, then I figured out I was just getting nowhere fast.
#5. To: Lod, Tatarewicz (#3)
-Alex Kurtagic
#6. To: X-15 (#5)
They do get hail storms in Western states. Do you watch Weather Channel? They have made good explanation of hail storms on there. Size of hail depends on updrafts and how long hail can stay aloft depends on the strength of updraft. When hail becomes too large for updraft to hold, it falls to ground.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#7. To: BTP Holdings, X-15 (#6)
Golf-ball sized hail will destroy an asphalt shingle roof in short order, they leave divots. We get them in Indiana once every 5 - 10 years. I haven't seen Tesla's material up close, but I can see where a hardened glass (eg Corningware) coated with polyurethane would be really tough. But also really heavy, rule out that theory. Obviously it has to be strong enough to walk around on, otherwise it would have to be installed by crane, negating any cost savings forever. Something else I was wondering about, it would obviously require modification to at very least a homes fusebox, all that solar electric is not going to osmosis its way into your HVAC unit. I wonder how much modification is needed? Without knowing the answers to any of these questions, I can't see how a new Tesla roof could cost less than a traditional asphalt shingle anytime soon.
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
#8. To: Dakmar (#7)
Musk later said the cost would be less than a new asphalt roof, plus, a conventional solar system. Which would jack the price up mightily.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#9. To: Dakmar (#7)
When I lived in Illinois in the late 70s, there was an Arboretum in Evanston. It was run by Evanston Environmental Association, a non profit organization. They had a small electric windmill that would generate enough power to light the interior of the building. They even had a battery bank to store excess power to be used on windless days. The technology that we need to run a solar powered home already exists.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#10. To: Dakmar (#7) (Edited)
Modern homes use AC current to light bulbs and run appliances. Electricity generated by solar panels is DC. The difference is that AC will kill you and DC will not. You need a conversion box to turn the DC into AC. However, if you live in Russia they use DC current. So you do not need a conversion box in your line to turn the DC into AC.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#11. To: BTP Holdings (#10)
Only US are stupid enough to use AC, so inefficient.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#12. To: Lod (#11)
Actually AC is much more efficient over distances. If houses were powered by DC, a power station would have to be built every half mile or so, and the power lines would be as thick as baseball bats.
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
#13. To: BTP Holdings (#10)
The meter would also have to be altered to allow for current flowing in either direction. In most states the utility is required to buy back excess electricity. You need a conversion box to turn the DC into AC.
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
#14. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
According to info online the glass used in the panel has 2% loss of solar radiation. Now I am no technician, but that seems to be a small loss. But Musk says that he is working with engineers from Corning to reduce that number.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#15. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
The UPI article states that the Powerwall batteries to store excess power will cost $5,500. That is no small piece of change.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#16. To: Dakmar (#13)
You're right about that, Dak.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
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