Frequently Asked Questions

Place an order online. Input your address and monthly electricity bill, and Tesla will provide an estimated system size to cover your current electricity usage as an initial starting point. Edit the system size and number of Powerwalls based on expected future changes to your home including energy usage such as adding an electric vehicle, or achieving specific goals such as long duration backup.

Tesla offers two solar energy solutions: Tesla solar panels or Solar Roof.

Solar Roof seamlessly unifies solar and non-solar roof tiles, blending the aesthetics of your home with material stronger than a traditional roof. If you are not looking to upgrade your roof, our solar panels are a sleek and durable alternative — quietly converting sunlight to energy for decades. Integrated hardware and low-profile design secure the panels close to your roof and to each other for a minimalist aesthetic. Learn more about eligible roof options for your roof type. Solar panels and Solar Roof both integrate with Powerwall, allowing you to use clean energy during an outage or at night.

After placing your order, check the status in the ‘Next Steps’ section in your Tesla Account.

The system size shown during your order process is a starting point which will be further refined after a home assessment.

Use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.

You can cancel your order and request a full refund, if eligible, in your Tesla Account. For additional information regarding refund eligibility, review your Energy Products Order Agreement. To cancel your order, click ‘Details’ in the top-left corner of your Tesla Account. Then select ‘Cancel Order.’

After the layout is complete, your Tesla Account will be updated with design and payment details. If you see multiple sizes to choose from, you can change the design by selecting ’Edit Design.’ You can then select roof areas to remove solar panels from. When you submit a change, the updated layout and new pricing details will be available in your Tesla Account when ready. You will also have the option to select where you want your Powerwall(s) to go; however, your cost will increase depending on the location you choose.

Once you accept the pricing details, no more customer-requested changes are permitted. If Tesla-initiated changes are necessary, we will upload a new Price Sheet to your Tesla Account for you to review and sign. Use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.

After you upload all pages of your latest utility bill, Tesla uses a combination of high-resolution imagery and a home assessment to create a layout of your roof. Tesla’s Designers optimize solar panel locations for the highest production and arrange them for the most optimal aesthetic based on the useable roof space. Obstructions such as trees, vents, chimneys or other structures that block exposure to the sun are avoided. Learn more about solar panel system sizing and design.

After receiving your utility bill, Tesla begins the process of creating an initial layout. You will be notified when a layout is available in your Tesla Account for review.

After a layout is complete, your Tesla Account will be updated with details. Design change requests are not accommodated once you accept the payment details. If Tesla-initiated changes are necessary, we will upload a new Price Sheet to your Tesla Account for you to review and sign. Use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.

Yes. Completing your home assessment provides important information to optimize your design and prepare for installation day.

Yes. Tesla needs all pages of your latest electric bill to complete your design and submit for final utility approval of your system. Some utilities limit the system size based on your past energy usage. If you just moved into your home, provide an electric service statement including account holder, service address, account number, rate plan and meter number.

Of your total roof space, only a limited amount may be good for solar. Some utilities also have solar system size limits. If a proposed layout requires any change from what you have approved, Tesla will upload a new Price Sheet to your Tesla Account for you to review and sign.

In the northern hemisphere, it’s typically ideal to have your panels on a southern-facing roof space. We may evaluate available northern-facing roof space for aesthetics or to maximize production. Obstructions such as trees, vents, chimneys or other structures that block exposure to the sun are avoided.

Whole home backup means your Powerwall system can support your entire home with backup power during an outage. This includes 120 V loads such as lights, plugs and small appliances as well as 240 V heavy loads such as air conditioners, electric cooking ranges, well pumps, EV charging, electric dryers, electric water heaters, pool pumps and more.

Partial home backup means your Powerwall system excludes certain loads in the home. You will be asked to review and confirm equipment location and backup details in your Tesla Account. If you are provided partial home backup, the equipment location and backup details will specify which loads will not be backed up.

Learn more about what Powerwall can back up.

How much your Powerwall system can back up and for how long depends on the number of Powerwalls, how much electricity is produced by your solar system and your usage. The more Powerwalls and electricity produced, the longer your backup duration will be. The more energy you use, the faster your Powerwalls will be depleted. Each Powerwall, when fully charged, holds 13.5 kWh (kilowatt hours) of energy. If your home uses 500 Wph (watts of energy per hour), 13.5 kWh lasts 27 hours. If your home uses 2,000 Wph, 13.5 kWh lasts 6 hours and 45 minutes.

Additional panels cannot be added to your existing solar system, but we may be able to offer a second system. The best solution is to ensure that the first solar system will cover your future needs.

Learn more about adding a second system to your home.

Tesla solar panel systems are priced based on system size and Powerwall quantity. Taxes may apply. Learn more about Tesla solar panel system pricing and energy options. We may also identify pre-construction costs, such as an electrical upgrade or trenching. If pricing changes, Tesla will present you with an updated Price Sheet in your Tesla Account for your signature.

The final price of your solar system is not determined until your system’s final design is complete. During the design process, Tesla will consider your roof dimensions, electrical system, local permitting and utility requirements. We may also identify pre-construction costs, such as an electrical upgrade or trenching. If the pricing changes, we will present you with an updated Price Sheet in your Tesla Account for your signature.

When your design is complete, you will review and accept the design in your Tesla Account. During the review, you can change your payment type. If you have already accepted your design, use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to request a payment type change. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.

After Tesla installs your solar system, you will still have an account with your electric utility provider and be connected to the grid. Your rate plan may change post-installation if required by your utility provider.

The cost of electricity varies widely by state and rate plan. Solar can greatly reduce your electric bill, but you will still have a residual bill. Your bill will depend on the size of your system relative to your energy need, local utility rates and what time of day you use energy.

If you are on a Time-of-Use rate plan, you can minimize utility charges by using less energy during peak hours. Set up your Powerwall’s Time-Based Control mode to automatically reduce your use of the grid when electricity is most expensive. Learn more about your utility bill after solar.

Purchasing a solar system may entitle you to state and federal tax credits and other incentives offered by local utilities, often taking the form of a rebate. Tax credits are typically claimed when filing income taxes, while rebates are claimed after purchase. We encourage you to consult with a tax advisor regarding any tax credits you may be eligible for or any other tax related questions you have regarding your system. All tax-related incentives in your pricing details are for informational purposes only.

Tesla may apply for some incentives associated with your project. If Tesla is assigned to receive an incentive, we will discount your purchase by the anticipated value of the incentive. Discounts will be itemized in your Price Sheet in your Tesla Account.

Learn more about how to find state and local-specific incentives available in your area.

Tesla currently offers the following payment options:

• Cash: Full payment is due at the time your system passes inspection.
• Tesla Financing: Down payment is due at the time your system passes inspection. Your first payment is due after your system receives permission to operate (PTO). Monthly payments will be due on that same date going forward each month.

All billing and contract information related to your solar system is available in your Tesla Account.

Learn more about billing and payment methods.

Set up automatic payments, make one-time payments or enroll in paperless billing directly in your Tesla Account. Learn more about billing and payment methods.

Some HOAs have Architectural Review Committees that require the homeowner to submit plans and exterior changes to a committee for review and approval. HOA approval is exclusively the homeowner’s responsibility. We recommend that you contact your HOA to discuss solar energy installations. If your HOA requests any documentation from Tesla, use the Question Center in your Tesla Account to chat or schedule a callback. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account. We recommend waiting for HOA approval before scheduling your installation. Tesla will not appear at any HOA meetings.

After HOA approval, you can schedule installation. If the approval includes conditions or stipulations, send the details to your Project Advisor from the Question Center to ensure your system design meets HOA requirements. The Question Center can be found on the bottom right in your Tesla Account.

Depending on your location, there may be solar access laws that protect your project. Send your denial to your Project Advisor from the Question Center and provide your desired course of action. Options include accommodating your HOA’s requests or appealing your HOA’s rejection.

Your installation will be scheduled on the first available date after your system design is finalized and all necessary approvals are received.

If any earlier dates open, our scheduling team will reach out to pull your installation forward. If you need to reschedule your installation for any reason, you may do so through your Tesla Account.

Tesla will notify you if any tasks prior to your installation date are required. This may include removing shelving, relocating plants, cleaning the area and more. Learn more on how you can be prepared for installation.

Pre-construction (required work before solar installation) may be necessary. Common examples of pre-construction are electrical upgrades, trenching and transformer upgrades. For most pre-construction, you will be responsible for finding a local contractor to complete the work at your expense. Pre-construction may be identified during the design process or when we arrive at your home. If your order requires any changes, we will notify you and provide an updated Price Sheet in your Tesla Account for you to review and sign.

After your final design is complete, you will be asked to review and confirm equipment location and details in your Tesla Account. A typical install can include electrical panels, disconnects and meters in addition to your Tesla hardware. Learn more about what equipment is installed at your home.

Someone 18 years or older must be home for the first hour of the installation to ensure proper access to the site. Depending on your home, additional site access may be required as the installation progresses. If additional site access is required, our Crew Lead will coordinate with you to ensure someone is home.

Customer-requested design changes are not accommodated once you confirm your order and accept your pricing details. The only changes made on installation day are if our crew mandates a slight change to ensure code compliance or safety regulations are met.

Installation for solar panels is finished the same day for most systems. When your system is ready for installation, we will schedule installation for the earliest available date.

After installation is complete, our Inspection Coordinator will contact you to schedule a final building inspection. When payment is received, we will submit the results of the inspection and a final application to your utility company to receive permission to operate (PTO). Depending on your location, receiving PTO may take one to six weeks. We will notify you as soon as PTO has been granted and you are able to turn on your system.

Learn more about what to expect after installation.

Tesla works with your local city or county to schedule site inspections of solar installation. Inspection is usually scheduled one to three weeks following your installation. Some jurisdictions may require additional in-progress inspections. These additional inspections will be coordinated with the crew and should not require you to be home. If access to the attic is required for an inspection, we will schedule a visit with you.

While Tesla works to ensure that installations meet local inspection criteria, delays may occur if an Inspector asks for a correction.

After installation, you will be contacted to complete a final building inspection. Review our inspection checklist to be prepared for your system inspection.

We will submit the inspection report and a final application to your utility company to receive permission to operate (PTO). Depending on your location, receiving PTO will take one to six weeks. We will notify you as soon as PTO has been granted and you are able to turn on your system. Any additional paperwork will be uploaded to your Tesla Account for you to review and sign.

Complete all documents in your Tesla Account to get utility approval as quickly as possible. Learn more about what to expect after your solar panels installation.

After your solar system is installed, we will notify you when it is safe to turn on your system. Learn more about how to turn on your system.

Powerwall can be configured to meet your home’s specific energy needs. Use the Tesla app to monitor and manage your solar system’s performance with features and control modes such as Backup Reserve, Self-Powered and Time-Based Control.

The Tesla app allows you to manage your Tesla products from anywhere. Monitor day-to-day operations and understand the flow of energy in your home with its comprehensive view of your energy ecosystem. To get started, download the Tesla app and sign into your Tesla Account. Learn more about what the Tesla app offers for your energy products.

System production will be visible in your Tesla app within one hour of successfully activating your system. Learn more about monitoring your system.

A force majeure event may include natural disasters like wildfires, lightning strikes, hurricanes, earthquakes and floods. Learn more about what to do following a force majeure event if your solar panels system has been affected. Ensure your solar equipment is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.