4 minute read
A new roof for a new kind of solar
These homeowners went all-in on solar — installing an entire roof of Tesla solar tiles
BY SCOTT PICKERING
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spickering@eastbaymediagroup.com
The Alfred Drowne neighborhood of Barrington is known for its unique homes. Historic mansions of a bygone era blend with cozy beach cottages, which face the modern estates of waterfront luxury. There is an eclectic mix of eye-catching residences.
None has a roof like Tony Fellela and his wife Arlean have on their modest ranch on Appian Way. In an area where solar panels are increasingly popular, the Fellelas installed a solar energy system that few have seen in this region.
After spending three years thinking about solar energy for the home that they’ve lived in for 54 years, and then after buying a Tesla car in 2021, Tony opted to install a solar roof from Tesla Energy.
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Tony and Arlean Fellela replaced their old roof with a new solar energy system. About 60% of the new, glass tiles covering the roof are photovoltaic, capturing solar energy and channeling it into the energy grid.
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From FACING PAGE
Whereas most systems place panels on top of the roof, in this system, the panels are the roof. The Fellelas’ new, black roof is comprised of 15” x 45” glass tiles, covering the entire roof surface, overlaying a rubber mat. The mat creates a waterproof seal, and the photovoltaic glass tiles, which are wired together, capture the sun’s energy and feed it into a converter and ultimately into the region’s power grid.
Tony has some complaints about the company itself, and he warns about the challenges of going through the process of design and installation. But he loves the final product. “It’s a fantastic technology,” he said.
He also feels it was a smart investment.
“The beauty of it is, if you need a new roof, they take the old shingles off, they make sure your roof is structurally sound, they waterproof it, and they reshingle the entire roof,” he said. So it’s both a roof replacement and a green energy investment.
After installation began last October and resumed in January, the system should go live this month.
The Fellelas spent about $31,500 on the project. They receive a federal tax credit of 26% of the cost of the project — so about $8,200 — which they can apply over the next two years. They receive a $1,000 tax credit annually from the State of Rhode Island. And they eliminate nearly their entire electric bill, including the cost to charge the electric vehicle, for as long as they live there.
The Fellelas’ system is actually less robust that it could have been. Regulations prevented them from installing a system that would produce more than 85% of their expected energy consumption. So only about 60% of the roof tiles are photovoltaic; the remainder are dummies. If he were allowed to install a 100% solar roof, Tony joked that they could have powered half the neighborhood.
The Fellelas are retired from their careers, which often had them traveling around the world, and living and working in Asia. A sculptor and artist, Tony is very sensitive to the aesthetic, and he’s particular about the property. The immaculate landscaping and grounds are testament to his eye and his hard work — as is the incredible backyard koi pond he’s been working on for 25 years.
But the aesthetic isn’t the sole reason for the new solar investment. A more worldly view was the biggest factor.
“I like the green aspect, being environmentally responsible. I look at it like, if I don’t do something, why do I expect someone else to?”
A closeup view of the glass tiles sold and installed by Tesla. A rubber mat makes the roof waterproof, and the tiles serve as solar panels.
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