Photo courtesy of Tesla
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Ewweb 1595 701ewbbtesla2335v
Ewweb 1595 701ewbbtesla2335v
Ewweb 1595 701ewbbtesla2335v
Ewweb 1595 701ewbbtesla2335v

Tesla and Panasonic to Manufacture PV Products in Buffalo

Jan. 5, 2017
As Tesla and Panasonic begin production, Buffalo will continue to expand Tesla’s American manufacturing base and create thousands of new jobs in the coming years.

Tesla and Panasonic finalized an agreement last month to begin manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules at the Buffalo, NY, factory they jointly operate. These PV cells an d modules will be used to produce solar panels in the non-solar roof products Tesla will be introducing to the market. When production of Tesla’s solar roof begins, Tesla will also incorporate Panasonic’s cells into the many kinds of solar glass tile roofs it will be manufacturing. All of these solar products will work seamlessly with Tesla’s energy storage products, Powerwall and Powerpack. Production of the first PV modules will begin in summer 2017, and will ramp to 1 Gigawatt of module production by 2019.

As Tesla and Panasonic begin production, Buffalo will continue to expand Tesla’s American manufacturing base and create thousands of new jobs in the coming years. Tesla reaffirms SolarCity’s commitment to create over 1,400 jobs in Buffalo  — including more than 500 manufacturing jobs. Panasonic, with its technological and manufacturing expertise in PV production, will also work with Tesla on developing PV next generation technology at SolarCity’s facility in Fremont, CA.

As part of the agreement, Panasonic will cover required capital costs in Buffalo and Tesla is making a long-term purchase commitment from Panasonic. The collaboration extends the established relationship between Tesla and Panasonic, which includes the production of electric vehicle and grid storage battery cells at the Tesla Gigafactory.