How affordable is solar power?

     Solar power as a whole is a great thing. Burning coal is one of the worst things for the environment. So the advent of solar and renewable energy as a whole has been a big plus. However, how affordable is it for the average person?
    Elon Musk is claiming that installing a solar roof onto ones house will likely cause less than a normal roof to install. In an interview with Business Insider,  Musk claims that it will likely cost less than a normal roof before factoring electricity costs. Musk has not yet disclosed how much this cost is. But he believes it will look nicer than a standard roof and last twice as long.
     This seems like a great thing. Cheap, clean energy for the household. What could be wrong with that? However, the first thing that is hard to tell is if Musk means it is cheaper to replace a roof on an existing house, or a newly built one. Another thing is how durable are the individual panels? Shingles hold up to some extreme weather conditions and can be replaced. Can solar shingles be replaced as easily and cheaply?
     According to a quick Google search, solar panels can easily cost upwards or $1,000. A mid-tier, mid-size solar system from Wholesale Solar costs around $10,000. Professional installation of a new roof can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $9,000. The cost discrepancy at this point shows that "dumb" roofs are initially cheaper.
     But you can make that cost up in energy generated! Well that may be true, many people cannot afford to replace their entire roof.  The initial cost is a huge limiting factor in the average American household. However, many companies offer to provide FREE solar panels. While they may not be as high tech as a solar roof, it is still clean energy. If a company pays for your solar panels and provides them to you for free, they will be receiving the energy received off of your house.
     The solar panels on your house are not yours. You will also not be able to receive free electricity from these "free" solar panels. That's right, the solar energy you generate is not your own. However, the company offering you the energy will sell you the energy generated at a discount. This discount is usually 10% less than the standard energy provider. While this is still a fantastic deal, it is not free. And it is certainly not any more affordable than a standard roof.  If you cannot afford your own solar roof, than the cost is no less than traditional energy.
     At the end of the day, if you can afford solar panels or a solar roof than it is cheaper than a traditional roof. However, for the traditional household, solar power is no more affordable than the standard. Solar power is expensive, and if you are not able to pay for the upfront cost, it won't save you any money in the long run.