Tesla and Panasonic to produce solar cells, if SolarCity deal succeeds
Tesla and Panasonic have signed an agreement to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) cells for use in home energy storage solutions including Tesla’s Powerwall and Powerpack.
For now, the deal is non-binding and depends on the pending Tesla acquisition of SolarCity. If the purchase closes, Panasonic will begin production of the solar cells at a site in Buffalo, New York in 2017. Tesla has said that it will make a long-term commitment to buy the panels from the supplier.
Tesla has already established a relationship with Panasonic, which produces batteries for its electric vehicles and home energy storage products at the Gigafactory in Nevada. The automaker noted that the new solar partnership will help boost production of solar cells and its sustainable energy products.
‘We are excited to expand our partnership with Panasonic as we move towards a combined Tesla and SolarCity. By working together on solar, we will be able to accelerate production of high-efficiency, extremely reliable solar cells and modules at the best cost,’ commented JB Straubel, Tesla chief technology officer, and co-founder.
The Tesla acquisition of SolarCity has seen considerable opposition, with some shareholders filing a lawsuit against the united brand. The fate of the deal, which is expected to close at $2.6 million (approx. £2.1 billion), will be decided by a shareholder vote on 17th November.
