I'm working (on call) so I apologize if I get called away for weird gaps of time.
But it directly conflicts with the earlier claim about comparable material cost.
I think you might want to re-read what was actually being said.
"look better than a normal roof, generate electricity, last longer, have better insulation, and actually have an installed cost that is less than a normal roof plus the cost of electricity."
And from the first CR
So how could a $73,500 roof be considered cost-competitive with a $20,000 asphalt roof? To compensate for the proposed added value of the “free” electricity from Tesla’s roof, we added in $2,000 a year, over the lifespan of the roof. That’s a typical electric bill in states where solar is big, like California, Texas, and North Carolina"
He never compared material costs, just installation and square foot total pricing over the 30 years.
It doesn't address maintenance & replacements
Covered in the total cost.
The assumed warranty is only 30 years.
Which is comparable to metal roofing. Life expectancy =/= warranty. Biggest metal roof warranty I've seen here is 40 years.
It still depends upon heavy federal subsidy.
For accessible green energy options im fine with that, as i would be for other solar, wind and hydro options to come to market.
Add to all this the utter lack of a service record, making this new technology
very risky...it will last over
double the warranty period of a Tesla roof.
There's been some recent lashback against metal roofing longevity claims too, due to flexatiom damage and water damage. With new estimates putting many metal roofs more around 40 years, so being not an early adopter doesn't mean riding the hype is less dangerous.
Instead of spending money to
generate electricity, I spend it on reducing usage. That's been cheap &
effective.
But will cost you more money over the long term, according to CR, and the returns on energy is larger than the returns on savings.
Notice to all....
I'm all in favor of renewable & green energy.
I spend a whole lotta money on such things.
But I'm skeptical of suspicious claims by someone trying to
sell me something which someone else will (partially) pay for.
I've seen supposedly great ideas fail before.
So I've learned not to look with Pollyanna eyes before I leap.
I was the first to criticize the solar roads idea because the claims didn't match the numbers, but this seems much less a legitimate criticism if the actual tech and more a 'Musk is a wanker.'