Tesla introduces Solar Roof. Roof tiles that are solar panel for maximizing coverage, yet are invisible

[terrytek]

30 minutes ago, Sammael said:

 

Force self driving cars?  It's not mandatory to USE the self driving feature, it's just baked in in case you want to use it.  What's the problem with that?  This is more options and choice for people, not less.  Maybe you think that one day governments will force a self driving ONLY mode, but that is not in the cards anytime soon, and in the US I don't ever expect it to happen.

 

Also, come on, even if you like driving, imagine being stuck in rush hour traffic, and instead of wallowing in the misery, you put the car into self driving mode, recline your seat, use your phones internet connection to watch youtube videos on your large tesla display or play a pc game running off an electric battery that would give you DAYS of game time, or just lie back and listen to music... Dude, this is a freaking FANTASY world we are about to move into!

 

What human being would toss all that away?  That is likely to be something we can opt into anytime we want, and if we feel like driving ourselves, we can do that too.  Like seriously, there is ZERO downside to any of this, there is only upside.  

i would. because why entertain yourself on a computer or on a phone, when you can entertain yourself by driving on some twisty roads in a manual transmission car? that's all the fun i need, along with blasting music while i carve these curvy roads. i mean i'm upset that the manual transmission is seriously dying in america since americans are becoming lazier and lazier. i would LOVE to drive a stick shift sports car over a sports car with a stupid ass dual clutch transmission. sure it shifts faster, but manual transmissions are seriously more fun. this is what i'll miss out in the future. i bet you 30 years from now the manual transmission won't be a thing anymore because everybody will hate it and they see cars as a utility, with self driving cars, not as a source of fun. if i can go back 10 or 15 years where practically every car that isn't a high end expensive sports car or a heavy duty truck or suv came in a manual, because people actually liked to drive.

[DrM]

this is amazing if they can get the price down/ subsidized

[AresKrieger]

Woah solar freakin roof tiles!!!!!

 

But seriously they require cleaning and are very expensive still, they may pay for them selves eventually but initial capital is still needed and they do degrade over time.

[Clanscorpia]

Is it just me or does Elon look a little wider at the waist?

[Swndlr]

YESSSSS TESLA !!!

[shermantanker]

10 hours ago, straight_stewie said:

I'm wondering how good they are at dealing with high winds, and how long they last.

Assuming that the average cost of roofing with *normal* shingles is defined by this equation: C = (A/100) * S_CS Where C = cost, A = area, and S_CS = Shingles, Cost/Square. Now, given the average cost of Electricity in cost/year E_c  and assuming that the shingles provide only exactly enough electricity to run your house, the equation for when the electrical shingles will pay off is:

Y = C/E_c where Y = years.

I'm wondering how long the shingles will actually last for: A good roof with architectural shingles can last more than 20 years, even in areas that regularly see extremely high winds and torrential downpours. Basically, what I'm trying to say with all of this is: If Y > 20, then most likely the electrical shingles are not worth it.

 

That is why I like copper roofs. They will last longer then me.

[MrDynamicMan]

15 hours ago, suchamoneypit said:

Some really cool innovations, its a fantastic new invention.

this innovative innovation is really innovative

[PRTI]

Good for the world and sexy

[Stefan1024]

16 hours ago, suchamoneypit said:

Some really cool innovations, its a fantastic new invention.

Actually they are by no means the first one. The idea and even products exist since several years.

But with the mass manufacturing capabillity and marketing they are able to push it much more.

[suicidalfranco]

driving? fun? 

lel

[Sir Asvald]

YES FOR MY HOUSE

 

 

 

[paddy-stone]

20 hours ago, GoodBytes said:

-snip-

 

Cool, I like stuff like this

 

Can I make a title change suggestion though please

 

"Tesla introduces Solar Roof. Roof tiles that are solar panel for maximizing coverage, yet be invisible"

 

should be "yet are invisible"

 

Not trying to be rude, just trying to help

 

 

Edited October 30, 2016 by GoodBytes
Reduced quote length

[GoodBytes]

2 minutes ago, paddy-stone said:

Cool, I like stuff like this

 

Can I make a title change suggestion though please

 

"Tesla introduces Solar Roof. Roof tiles that are solar panel for maximizing coverage, yet be invisible"

 

should be "yet are invisible"

 

Not trying to be rude, just trying to help

 

 

Thanks! Fixed

[Sparviero]

I don't see why people are against driving automation. Out in the boonies or in low traffic areas I'm sure this won't be mandatory until we are all dust and bones. In high traffic areas where conflicting driving strategies and inability do do simple things like zipper "because f everybody else I'm getting three cars ahead" it will actually save an insane amount of time for all. 

 

Most assume their strategy saves time, when because many have this same philosophy that actually disrupts the overall pattern, it actually increases driving times for all. So yes I'd rather kick back and watch a movie than drive in traffic. 

[patrickjp93]

On 30/10/2016 at 4:30 AM, straight_stewie said:

I'm wondering how good they are at dealing with high winds, and how long they last.

Assuming that the average cost of roofing with *normal* shingles is defined by this equation: C = (A/100) * S_CS Where C = cost, A = area, and S_CS = Shingles, Cost/Square. Now, given the average cost of Electricity in cost/year E_c  and assuming that the shingles provide only exactly enough electricity to run your house, the equation for when the electrical shingles will pay off is:

Y = C/E_c where Y = years.

I'm wondering how long the shingles will actually last for: A good roof with architectural shingles can last more than 20 years, even in areas that regularly see extremely high winds and torrential downpours. Basically, what I'm trying to say with all of this is: If Y > 20, then most likely the electrical shingles are not worth it.

Watch the hail drop test. Tesla's holds out better than standard roofing tiles.

[straight_stewie]

Just now, patrickjp93 said:

Watch the hail drop test. Tests holds out better than standard roofing tiles.

For impacts. What if you live in an area where the primary concern is straightline winds?
We'll see more when they release more information about them. Right now I'm having trouble finding any concrete data.

[DutchTexan]

On 10/29/2016 at 1:30 PM, straight_stewie said:

I'm wondering how good they are at dealing with high winds, and how long they last.

Assuming that the average cost of roofing with *normal* shingles is defined by this equation: C = (A/100) * S_CS Where C = cost, A = area, and S_CS = Shingles, Cost/Square. Now, given the average cost of Electricity in cost/year E_c  and assuming that the shingles provide only exactly enough electricity to run your house, the equation for when the electrical shingles will pay off is:

Y = C/E_c where Y = years.

I'm wondering how long the shingles will actually last for: A good roof with architectural shingles can last more than 20 years, even in areas that regularly see extremely high winds and torrential downpours. Basically, what I'm trying to say with all of this is: If Y > 20, then most likely the electrical shingles are not worth it.

Every 12 years we need to redo our roof down here. It cost me 15k to do my roof last year. If I invested over 500k into solar, I would still be 40% short on electricity needs. Oh and there's that whole inclement weather thing. Thank the lord we haven't had a hurricane yet this year, but I imagine solar panels wouldn't do too well here near the coast.

 

Solar is great and all, but it's just not realistic right now. Advancements like this are GREAT, but in general, solar is just not efficient and cost effective enough. Solar has a long way to go still. Solar will be viable, though, eventually. 

 

Solar does not hold a competitive enough ROI to be viable. Forcing it before it is ready is economically dangerous. Like a computer, forcing everyone to build a 5k machine in the 90's would have ended up useless 10 year later. Just saying, slow change is what becomes permanent. 

 

EDIT: Although there are a lot of factors to throw into your Y = C/E_c equation where I live. We have to build to a different code and the amount of rain and humidity we get degrades our tiles very quickly. I could have redone my roof for less than 10k, but that's the most simple type of tile with the lowest wind rating.

 

Every few years we get really bad storms and the debris is extremely significant.

[SurvivorNVL]

If it can remain under $30,000, it'll be a worthwhile purchase and investment.

[LoE Ferret]

To be honest that drop test was not that exciting. Yes the other were destroyed whilst the panel did not explode. But the panel would be worthless to use now as, even if the panel underneath survived the impact, the glass face is heavily damaged and is effectively blocking the panel, so it would need to be replaced.

 

Compare the cost of each tile to replace in the event of that sort of impact. 

 

Not to mention dust accumulation on panels would cause efficiency loss. Anywhere from 5% to 16% depending on which journal article you read.

 

Nice concept but I think it would struggle out in the "wild" after you factor in costs unless you are getting a government rebate or handout for doing it, which is effectively gaming the system to cover the overall losses.

[8uhbbhu8]

I really like the idea of what they are proposing but there are some major flaws in it. 1 the sun doesn't shine on all sides of your house meaning that only part of the roof will be used to generate power. 2 the majority of panels will never be at the optimal angle for collecting the light and creating power. 3 snow buildup.(imagine the power required to put elements in those panels to keep the roof clear)

 

 I recommend checking out eevblog for a nice video and forum post about this topic.

[Xanthe_2871]

That's so cool! This could really change the EV market. 

[Orangeator]

14 minutes ago, 8uhbbhu8 said:

I really like the idea of what they are proposing but there are some major flaws in it. 1 the sun doesn't shine on all sides of your house meaning that only part of the roof will be used to generate power. 2 the majority of panels will never be at the optimal angle for collecting the light and creating power. 3 snow buildup.(imagine the power required to put elements in those panels to keep the roof clear)

 

 I recommend checking out eevblog for a nice video and forum post about this topic.

Exactly, the maintenance/cost ratio of these tiles are just not practical yet. Maybe 30 years down the road.

[DutchTexan]

Alright y'all, listen here

 

Let's say the average house uses 11,000 kilowatt-hours worth of electricity for 18/24 hours a day. Unfortunately, this isnt close to what I need, but let's just say that's a good amount for the sake of this argument, 11,000kWh. Now, let's run this little formula, P(W)=1000×E(kWh)/t(hr). Total watts in a day =(1,000 * energy(in kWh)) divided by the composition period, which is three quarters of a full day. That equals 611,111.11W. So, a conservative electrical need for 1 day we'll say is 600,000W. 

 

Now, I don't know where the best place is to buy Solar Panels, but I imagine there is more supply than demand. http://www.wholesalesolar.com/specials sells some. An Astronergy Solar branded solar panel pallet set advertises 6,300W for $5,200. This is the best deal I found on their site, cheapest price/watt. So, that's 20 solar panels. 20 solar panels 77.95×39.76×48.82 inches EACH. For the base draw, 600,000W, of a house you would need about 19,905 solar panels. That is $495,238.09. Okay? And that is assuming 1) there is always sunshine 2) they perform EXACTLY as advertised 100% of the time.... day and night? 3) a storm doesn't come through and fuck shit up 4) you have enough room for the nearly 20,000 solar panels 5) you somehow get free shipping AND installation... I'm just going to stop there. 

 

Finally, keep in mind that was a conservative estimate in power need. What kind of PSU would recommend a computer that can draw 600 watts? Probably not 600 watts :1

 

Let's be realistic. Solar will be great, but we are stuck in the 90's here. Early 90's.

[DutchTexan]

3 hours ago, SurvivorNVL said:

If it can remain under $30,000, it'll be a worthwhile purchase and investment.

In 25 years, absolutely 

[mariushm]

Not quite so great, it trades performance [energy production] for style... and lacks some of the benefits of solar panels.

 

The video here pretty much sums everything up :

 

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-938-tesla-solar-roofs-are-they-viable/?topicseen

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_c7twrajCA

 

At the moment I write this, video was marked by creator as private, so don't bug me saying the video doesn't work