On Monday, investors valued Tesla higher than America’s most venerated car company, Ford, for the first time ever. Driving Tesla’s market capitalization higher were expectations for the company’s automotive unit, but in the background, CEO Elon Musk is creating a bright future for survivalists and independence seekers alike. Tim Higgins wrote in The Wall Street Journal:
Tesla shares rose to $303.70 at 4 p.m. in New York, up 1.7% from Monday’s close and equaling a $49.53 billion market value, according to FactSet. That compares with GM’s $34.27 share price and $51.34 billion market value.
GM is currently the U.S. auto maker with the highest market capitalization, but still trails global heavyweights such as Toyota Motor Corp.
Tesla on Monday surpassed Ford’s market value, which stands at $45.19 billion. Disappointing sales announced by traditional auto makers on Monday were in contrast to Tesla reporting a record quarter on Sunday.
But if you’re focused on survival and getting off the grid, Tesla’s solar shingles and the Powerwall offer a lot of comfort. Tesla plans on taking orders for its solar roofing in April. Robert Walton writes at UtilityDive:
Tesla is preparing to roll out its solar roof product just six months after announcing the new systems.
Unveiled last year, the 7 kW, 14 kWh battery system is priced at $5,500 and will integrate with Tesla’s electric vehicle chargers. The new roof systems will integrate with the Powerwall 2.0 battery system.
There have been questions about the size of the market Tesla is trying to address, and the company is not without competition as well. But as the price of both panels and storage falls, the systems are becoming more affordable. Tesla has touted the new solar roofs as being cheaper than a traditional shingled-roof once the electricity costs are factored in.
Combined with Tesla’s Powerwall, the solar roofing could help make many houses independent of the power company. CNET reports that “Tesla CEO Elon Musk said home owners could pair it with solar panels to live off the grid ‘indefinitely.'”
I have made serious investments in solar at my home and suggest you do the same if you don’t want to rely on the grid during a disaster.
Everything you need to know about Tesla’s Solar Roof
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