Tesla has begun taking $US1000 ($1360) deposits for its remarkable solar roof tiles to be delivered this northern summer at a price point that could expand the US solar market.

Tesla will begin with production of two of the four styles it unveiled in October: a smooth glass and a textured glass tile. Roofing a 2000 square-foot (186 sq m) home in New York state — with 40 per cent coverage of active solar tiles and battery backup for night-time use — would cost about $US50,000 after federal tax credits and generate $US64,000 in energy over 30 years, according to Tesla's website calculator.

Bloomberg