Tesla has discontinued sales of its solar roof tiles, nearly a decade after Elon Musk introduced the product as a premium alternative to conventional solar panels. The company confirmed the move by redirecting its solar roof webpage to traditional solar panel offerings, signaling a strategic pivot in its residential solar business.
The decision follows years of limited adoption. In 2021, Tesla set a target of installing 1,000 solar roofs per week, though industry estimates suggested actual installations fell far below that pace. The company has since prioritized traditional solar panels, which are manufactured at its factory in Buffalo, New York, and began residential deliveries this year.
Musk initially unveiled the solar roof concept in 2016 during Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity, a solar installation company founded by his cousins. The innovative product was positioned as a high-end, integrated solution combining energy generation with roofing. However, Tesla has not provided an official reason for halting sales, and did not respond to requests for comment.
Despite the shift away from solar roofs, Tesla continues to invest heavily in solar manufacturing. The company has presented plans for a $10.1 billion solar cell factory near Houston, Texas, as part of its broader expansion in renewable energy. The facility is expected to support Tesla’s growing focus on traditional solar panel production and grid-scale energy storage solutions.
