Solar and Solar Roof for New Construction
Coordinate solar into your build from framing to final inspection, whether you choose panels on a new roof or an integrated Tesla Solar Roof.
Tesla Energy
Certified Installer
FL Licensed
Solar + Roofing + Electrical
Veteran Owned
Florida business
Straight answer
When Should Solar Be Added to a New Construction Project?
Get a solar or Solar Roof contract in place well before roof sheathing goes on, ideally as soon as your plans are set. Coastal Energy needs your site plan, roof plan, framing plan and electrical information, and total duration depends on permitting, utility approval and your builder's schedule.
- Contract lead time
- Before sheathing
- The earlier in the build, the smoother the sequence
- Project duration
- Varies by county
- Driven by permitting, utility approval and build schedule
- Permits
- 1 - 60 days
- Local building and electrical permits
- Solar Roof wind rating
- Up to 194 mph
- Class F wind rating under ASTM D3161
Pricing shown is typical and a starting point. Your exact quote is confirmed after a site survey and depends on roof condition, electrical service, equipment choices and local permitting.
Get an accurate quoteTwo paths
Solar Panels on a New Roof, or Tesla Solar Roof
New construction is the easiest time to add solar because the roof, framing and electrical panel are all being built to spec anyway. You have two real options: standard low-profile solar panels on a conventional new roof, or Tesla Solar Roof, which replaces the roofing material itself with energy-producing and non-producing tiles that look identical.
Tesla has announced Solar Roof will be discontinued at the end of 2026, so builders and buyers who want that integrated look need to plan now. For most new builds going forward, panels on a new roof remain the practical long-term path, and we walk every new construction client through both options honestly.
Solar Roof specs
Solar Roof Structural Requirements
Roof Pitch (2:12 to 12:12)
Pitches below 2:12 are not supported, and pitches above 12:12 require additional engineering.
Sheathing
Exterior grade plywood 15/32 inch or greater, OSB 7/16 inch or greater, or solid sheathing boards minimum 1x4, closely fitted.
Installed Weight
Net installed weight is under 4 pounds per square foot, roughly 3.4 psf for the textured tile including all above-sheathing components.
Wind and Fire Rating
Class F wind rating (the highest under ASTM D3161), UL 790 Class A fire rating, and wind resistance up to 194 mph.
Timeline
New Construction Project Timeline
01
Plans Submitted
Coastal Energy needs a complete plan set: site plan, roof plan, roof framing plan and electrical information.
02
Contract Signed
Well before roof sheathing installation, coordinated against your builder's schedule.
03
Permits
Local building and electrical permits submitted and issued, typically 1 to 60 days.
04
Utility Pre-Approval
4 to 6 weeks where applicable, before installation can begin.
05
Material Procurement
2 to 4 weeks, dependent on your location and current lead times.
06
Installation
10 to 30 days for panels, or an average of 20 days for Solar Roof.
07
Inspections and Interconnection
Ongoing rough and final inspections, then a 1 to 6 week utility interconnection application before permission to operate.
Working with builders
What We Need from Your Builder
We ask every builder for a comprehensive build schedule as early as possible so we can slot solar or Solar Roof work into the framing and roofing sequence without becoming the bottleneck. Total project duration varies once design is approved, and permitting timelines vary widely by county, with Southeast Florida jurisdictions often running longer than Southwest Florida.
If you are a builder working on multiple lots, send construction drawings and load calculations as early as possible so we can pre-engineer a system for each floor plan rather than starting from scratch on every home.
Roof features
Solar Roof Integrates with Standard Roof Features
| Feature | Handled |
|---|---|
| Transitions, rakes and valleys | Yes, standard tile transition kits |
| Ridges and hips | Yes, metal ridge and hip components |
| Skylights | Yes, integrated into the tile layout |
| Heat vents and drain waste vents | Yes, standard penetration flashing |
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Solar Roofing Be Part of a New Build?
What documents does Coastal Energy need from my builder?
What roof pitches work with Solar Roof?
Is Solar Roof rated for hurricane winds?
How early should I contract solar for a new build?
Is Tesla Solar Roof still available for new construction?
How long does the full process take?
Can I still get solar panels instead of Solar Roof?
Keep reading
Related Pages
Planning a New Build?
Send your construction drawings, roof plan and electrical load calculation and we will return a solar or Solar Roof estimate.