> Tesla does not suggest ordering an all-solar roof. Solar tiles cost $42 per square foot, while non-solar costs $11 per square foot. Tesla recommends $21.85 per square foot, based on 35 percent solar tiles. The design of the tiles, patented recently, mean the two appear the same to the untrained eye to create a single roof.

>Tobler bought a roof of around 2,000 square foot, with 40 percent of installed tiles solar. That costs around $50,000 once the federal solar Investment Tax Credit is factored in, and it produces around 9.85 kilowatts of power — which Tesla told Tobler was “the biggest system we have available.”

Can anyone familiar with the market compare that price to a "normal" roof solar installation? Seems quite expensive at first glance, but I'm not sure I have a good reference point when pricing everything in (warranty, powerwall, ...)

It's ~3.3X the price. It seems like an introductory price for early adopters.

Rather 5 times the normal solar panels.

aren't early adopters supposed to get a better deal, not worse?

If they are enthusiastic enough, they pay extra for the privilege of getting the cool stuff early and/or taking part in it getting finalized.

It's expected to be expensive -- compare it to a new, premium roof.

If you aren't in the market for a premium roof, this isn't the product for you.