In a nutshell: Tesla has stopped taking orders for Solar Roof, ending its push to sell solar shingles as an alternative to conventional rooftop panels. The decision reflects the high costs and installation challenges that kept the solar-shingle product from becoming commercially viable.
The company told its certified third-party installers that Solar Roof is no longer available for new projects. Tesla will continue selling standard solar panels and home battery systems instead. Its former Solar Roof web address now sends visitors to the company's solar-panel page.
The move follows years of high costs, difficult installations, and customer complaints. Two sources close to the program told Electrek that Tesla determined the product was not financially viable.
Solar Roof used glass tiles designed to generate electricity while serving as roofing material. That made the system more complicated than standard solar arrays, which are mounted above an existing roof. Tesla needed specialized equipment to make the tiles, and installation often required more customized work.
The added expense appears to have been a central problem. Solar Roof was positioned as a cleaner-looking option for homeowners who did not want visible solar panels, but demand was not enough to support the product's manufacturing costs.
Owners also reported problems after installation. Some customers faced long waits for repairs and high service costs. Others raised concerns about temperature management, possibly because the integrated tiles did not provide the same airflow as conventional panels mounted on racks above a roof.
Tesla also faced disputes over Solar Roof pricing. Some customers said Tesla increased project quotes substantially after contracts were signed, sometimes by as much as 100%. Those complaints led to a class-action lawsuit that Tesla settled in 2023.
Tesla has not said it will stop supporting homes that already have Solar Roof systems. Existing owners should remain covered under warranty, though the end of new sales means the company will no longer be adding to the product's customer base.
The company's shift puts more focus on conventional rooftop panels and battery storage, including the Powerwall. Those products use established supply chains and installation methods and do not require replacing a home's roof with specialized photovoltaic tiles.
Tesla's decision does not end the market for solar shingles. GAF and Merlin Solar still offer products designed to generate power as part of a roof. But Tesla's exit removes a high-profile player from a category that has struggled to move beyond a relatively small share of the residential solar market.