Elon Musk: Pre

UPDATE: May 10, 2017, 4:15 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include the solar tiles' pricing information.

Originally, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company's new solar roof tiles would be coming in April.

While that timeline slipped slightly, Musk tweeted Wednesday morning that the orders would open sometime on Wednesday. The company's solar roof tiles, which blend more seamlessly into home designs that traditional photovoltaic panels, have the potential to revolutionize the market for residential solar.

Later in the day, Tesla published a blog post announcing the tiles' pre-order availability, along with a calculator tool to help consumers determine how much a Tesla solar roof will cost on their home. Overall, Tesla says the tiles should run the average homeowner $21.85 per square foot.

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In another tweet, Musk said the roof can be ordered for "almost any country." However, deployment to customers' homes will start this year in the U.S., and next year overseas.

Tesla solar glass roof orders open this afternoon. I think it will be great. More in about 10 hours ...

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 10, 2017

Solar roof can be ordered for almost any country. Deployment this year in the US and overseas next year.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 10, 2017

What "almost any country" means is anyone's guess; for example, Tesla's home battery storage unit, known as the Powerwall, can now be ordered in some but not all European countries. Musk did confirm, in a reply to one Twitter user, that Australia and the UK are on the list.

Not all tile styles will be available immediately, however. Musk tweeted that black glass smooth and textured styles will come first, with Tuscan and French Slate following in "about six months."

@chriscardinal Black glass smooth and textured will be first. Tuscan and French Slate in about six months.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 10, 2017

According to the company, Tesla's solar roof tiles are more durable than traditional roof tiles (see demonstration below), with the bonus of providing power to your home. All things considered, the total cost of the solar roof should be lower than the cost of a regular roof.

Solar roof glass tile vs. conventional roof tile pic.twitter.com/AnGWJ07jub

— Tesla (@TeslaMotors) October 29, 2016

The solar roof tiles, which are transparent to the sun above but opaque when viewed from the sides, should also be less of an eyesore than traditional solar panels (though Tesla does offer those as well).

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