Texas Roofers Wanted For Tesla 'Solar Roof' Installation: Report

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas roofing industry is abuzz with anticipation after a weekend announcement that the Tesla "Solar Roof" might be available this year for widespread installation.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the company plans to offer the roof worldwide "later this year" in a Sunday tweet: "Tesla is ramping up Solar Roof installation across the USA!" Musk wrote with palpable excitement, inviting roofers to be poised for installation work. "Training will be provided, so no prior experience needed."

He even provided a link for roofers to apply for the work: https://www.tesla.com/solarroofjobs. Moreover, Patch was provided a primer for solar roofers titled Tesla's ridiculous employee handbooks.

The site Mashable wrote on the development, tracking the rocky road experienced by Tesla in launching its Solar Roof product. Originally introduced in October 2016, the site reported, the Solar Roof underwent multiple revamps before finally going into wider distribution this year.

Tesla seems to have ironed out the kinks now, the CEO inferred via Twitter. A spokesperson sent Patch some specifications:

• The roofs will be produced in Tesla's gigafactory in New York, with production going international with time.
• The roofs are supposed to simplify the solar panel installation process by combining panels and tiles into one.
• Musk encourages all interested to apply for a job in Tesla's Solar Roof team. In addition to Texas, the company is hiring roofers and installers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia.
• Tesla’s fourth gigafactory located in Berlin is scheduled to be ready in 2021 and may assist with international availability.

In response to Musk's announcement, one Twitter user asked if the solar roofs would be solely manufactured in Tesla's New York gigafactory. "Initially, yes, but then will make sense to localize closer to customers," Musk responded, likening the plan to that followed in the automotive industry. "Pretty much same plan as vehicles."

Related story: Elon Musk Switches Twitter Bio Location To Austin, Sparking Buzz

In what may or may not be related news, Musk set off widespread buzz and speculation earlier this month after changing the location for his Twitter account to Austin from California. While Musk's signature company, Tesla, is based in Palo Alto, California, he's known to frequently change his social media bios to reflect his real-world decisions, some observers noted.

In a separate tweet, Musk posted a graphic with the cryptic caption "Giga Texas." furthering speculation on his potential plans to build another Tesla Gigfactory in Central Texas.

Known as much for his intellect as for his showmanship and flair for the dramatic announcement, it's all anybody's guess for now as to how much business might be generated in the Lone Star State vis a vis the solar energy products. For now, the tech entrepreneur has raised the roof in terms of rampant speculation about the possibilities.

"Solar Roof replaces your existing roof and brings it to life with beautiful solar tiles that can power your home for decades with the energy you produce," the Tesla website reads. "Solar Roof replaces your existing roof and brings it to life with beautiful solar tiles that can power your home for decades with the energy you produce."

To see photos of what the Solar Roof product looks like, click here.