'The key is to make solar look good,' says Elon Musk while unveiling Tesla solar-powered roofs

Tesla's launch can be seen as a way to rally shareholders even as Elon Musk is trying to acquire SolarCity Corp.

solar roofs — Tesla's electric car, Powerwall and solar roof are shown by Tesla Motors Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk, unveiling new energy products aimed at illustrating the benefits of combining his electric car and battery maker with solar installer SolarCity Corp, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., October 28, 2016.Reuters

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has unveiled the company's latest product, solar-powered roof tiles. He launched the product, developed with SolarCity Corp, at Universal Studios in Los Angeles on Friday.

The solar-powered roofs have four textures — slate, tuscan, textured and smooth glass. Musk said that the tiles would last longer than the houses on which they are fitted.

"The key is to make solar look good," Musk said during the product introduction. "We want you to call your neighbors over and say, 'Check out this sweet roof.' "

Tesla's dramatic launch can be seen as a way to rally shareholders even as he is trying to acquire the struggling SolarCity Corp. Investors have expressed concern over the takeover as it seems to be a bail-out of the company where Musk was the biggest shareholder. The company's chief executive officer is his cousin, Lyndon Rive.

Tesla released videos about the strength of the roof tiles through Twitter along with an image from the future where houses with solar roofs and battery-powered cars will be the norm.