The Tesla Solar Roof takes solar panels from a popular alternative energy provider and has them specially processed to make them an effective roofing material.

Solar panel mounting systems are often referred to as photovoltaic (PV) systems. The technology utilizes sunlight instead of heat that comes into contact with the panel and converts it into direct current (DC).
Tesla's Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) system adds to the acronym by combining non-energy-producing (inactive) components with energy-producing (active) components. These two types of glass tiles are identical in appearance and work together to draw energy from the sun, protect the home and provide a pleasing aesthetic.
While Tesla's BIPV system isn't a pioneer in combining solar panels with roofs, it's not new either. The current design has come a long way since the system was introduced in 2016.