Elon Musk Is Trying to Perfect Solar Roof Tiles

  • Tesla to unveil solar roof, enhanced Powerwall in Los Angeles
  • Shareholders set to vote Nov. 17 on SolarCity acquisition

Tesla's Profit: Is a SolarCity Deal More Likely?

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Elon Musk will take the stage Friday evening at Universal Studios in Los Angeles to unveil a “solar roof,” and to boost his case for Tesla Motors Inc.’s planned acquisition of SolarCity Corp.

Like many of his innovative concepts -- from electric cars to reusable rockets -- this path is littered with failures. Musk’s long-term vision of a clean-energy society with smart solar homes has proven appealing to investors and his many fans. But figuring out the actual nuts and bolts of making a new rooftop power system economically viable will be a challenge.