A week doesn’t pass by without the phone ringing and a local customer asking about Tesla solar panels or the Tesla Powerwall. We are asked quite often how many solar panels to charge a Tesla? Although we welcome the phone calls, many customers are surprised to hear that not only is Tesla not the only solar option they have, but there are better solar solutions to for their home and business needs.
How many solar panels to charge a Tesla: A History
Nearly five years ago, a major corporate solar company Solar City was the leading installer of residential solar. No other company in the rapidly growing residential solar industry installed more residential solar PV systems than the teams at Solar City. In fact, their rate of installation was so rapid, even their other major commercial competitors couldn’t keep up with them. There was a period where the term solar for homes was interchangeable with Solar City. In many ways, the company seemed nearly indestructible.
Fast forward several years. The luxury auto manufacturer, Tesla, buys out Solar City. In some regard, the buy-out was logical. Tesla is a world-wide brand, recognized for innovation, risk and being environmentally conscious. They have branding power that is unprecedented and have given electric cars, and solar, an ego-boost. Once seen as something only “tree-huggers” would want, Tesla made electric cars ‘cool’ and desirable. The idea, at the purchase of Solar City, was to brand solar in the same light as electric cars.
Plans Do Not Always Work Out
Yet, over the course of the years post buy-out, Tesla, once known as Solar City, has dropped in installations by 62%. Many consumers who have claimed to purchase Tesla Solar due to the longevity of the company are surprised to learn that Tesla is closing at least a dozen facilities across the county and cut nearly 9% of their work force. CEO Elon Musk also has reported that the company will stop selling solar arrays through Home Depot, moving some of the sales people to Tesla stores and letting other people go. The result of this, from a logistics perspective, is that installs will fall further behind before they re-bound, if in fact, they do. In the local California market, Tesla job cuts within the energy division include 86 people fired at the Silicon Valley headquarters and 420 at varying constellation facilities in Fremont and over 200 in the Roseville area.
What Does This Mean for Consumers
At Del Sol Energy, we speak frequently about why it is so important to support local business. Outside of supporting the economy, feeding into the workforce and contributing to community development, local installers are smaller and more flexible. This makes us more dynamic to a changing solar environment. Often, people tout the importance of choosing large corporate businesses to make large purchases from, claiming longevity and trusted brand. However, large companies are not any more secure in a fast-growing and dynamic industry, than smaller counterparts. As Tesla fights to keep their solar doors open, smaller local companies are fluid and can change to the demands of legislation and customer expectation – while also providing peace of mind that if there is a question or concern, they can stop by our local Showroom and Design Center in the Historic Downtown Brentwood Corridor and work with someone from our Del Sol Energy team. As solar educators, we are always excited to talk solar and provide you with information that will help you in choosing a solar company that is right for you.
Our Product Line
We are proud to offer solar panels, inverters and batteries for your residential or commercial solar system that not only competes, but often beats, the overall quality of what big conglomerate solar companies can offer customers. Additionally, the mounting and racking systems we offer are state-of-the art. We also live in the communities we install meaning, we are proud to promote our longevity and overall commitment to our community and our customers. Moreover, We might not be the biggest name in the residential and commercial solar industry, but we have a commitment like large conglomerates do not have to their customers. Also, we can guarantee the panels and components to your installed solar array are the same, or better, than what you can obtain with a corporate solar company. We are a small company with big named solar products and warrenties.
Reach Out
When you are ready to learn more about what makes Del Sol Energy the right choice in your residential or commercial solar installation, take the time to reach out to one of our highly trained and knowledgeable Energy Adviser’s today. Stop by our Solar Showroom and Design Center today and learn why we are Leaders in Local Solar and begin your solar journey and Experience Del Sol Energy today.
Feel Free to Contact Us at anytime:
Tel: (925) 378-4800
email: info@delsolnrg.com
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