News from the Solar Front

(Tesla Solar Roof Panels)

Solar panel pricing has been plummeting for years.  In 2008, solar panels (on a per watt basis) were more than $4/watt.  Today, the price is below $1/watt and trending to below $.50/watt.  Predictions on solar pricing from just 24 months ago, were wildly pessimistic.

In October, Tesla’s founder, Elon Musk announced the development of solar shingles for building applications.   With styles ranging from tile to slate, the designs remove the need for standard solar panels (an aesthetic deterrent for some building owners).  Tesla promises the shingles will be price competitive with traditional roofing solutions.

And solar panels (or shingles) might even be obsolete when high tech coating turns windows into solar panels.