USA: Tesla and Panasonic Will Begin Manufacturing Solar Cells and Modules in summer 2017. PR.

Japan's Panasonic Corp will invest more than 30 billion yen ($256 million) in a New York production facility of Elon Musk's Tesla Motors to make photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, deepening a partnership of the two companies.

The U.S. electric car maker is making a long-term purchase commitment from Panasonic as part of the deal, besides providing factory buildings and infrastructure.

In a statement on Tuesday, the two companies said they plan to start production of PV modules in the summer of 2017 and increase to one gigawatt of module production by 2019.

The plan is part of the solar partnership that the two companies first announced in October, but which did not disclose investment details.

Tesla is working exclusively with longtime partner Panasonic to supply batteries for its upcoming Model 3, the company's first mass-market car. Panasonic is also the exclusive supplier of batteries to Tesla's Model S and Model X.

Press Release:

Tesla and Panasonic Will Begin Manufacturing Solar Cells and Modules in Buffalo, NY

OSAKA, Japan / PALO ALTO, USA, December 27, 2016 - Tesla and Panasonic have finalized an agreement this week to begin the manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules at the Buffalo, NY factory. These high-efficiency PV cells and modules will be used to produce solar panels in the non-solar roof products. When production of the solar roof begins, Tesla will also incorporate Panasonic's cells into the many kinds of solar glass tile roofs that Tesla 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.

Panasonic

http://panasonic.net/

Tesla Motors

http://www.tesla.com/

Media Contacts:

Panasonic Corporation

Tel: +81-(0)3-3574-5664 Fax: +81-(0)3-3574-5699

Tesla Motors

press@tesla.com

Tel: +1-650-833 8456

Before Press Releases

Tesla unveiled its Model 3 electric car. Event Video.

Tesla unveiled its latest Model 3 electric car in March 31st, 2016 with 512 miles range for charge, zero to 60 mph in unders 6 seconds, seatings for 5 adults, 5 stars safety ratings in all categories, Auto Pilot safety features, Super charging capable.

Starting price $35.000.-

Watch the Model 3 Unveil Event March 31, 2016

Model 3 combines real world range, performance, safety and spaciousness into a premium sedan that only Tesla can build. 

Our most affordable car yet, Model 3 achieves 215 miles of range per charge while starting at only $35,000 before incentives. Model 3 is designed to attain the highest safety ratings in every category.

Tesla

Chart credit: caranddriver 

A Snake can charge your electric car, but a metal plug made robot by Telsa.Video.

Tesla has released video of an autonomous car charger, capable of plugging itself in.

"The video is just an example of some of the cool stuff we're always working on behind the scenes," Tesla told CNBC, but wouldn't reveal when or if the prototype would be available soon for purchase.

Electric Cars: Can Electric BMW Topple Tesla? Video

Electric Cars: Can  Electric BMW Topple Tesla?  Video

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk made electric cars cool again. Now every automaker seems to want a piece of the action. BMW is in.

Tesla unveiled a solar powered charging station for electric vehicles long trip.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Tesla unveiled a solar powered charging station for electric vehicles long trip.

Tesla Motors Inc. unveiled a solar-powered charging station on Monday that it said will make refueling electric vehicles on long trips about as fast as stopping for gas and a bathroom break in a conventional car.

CEO Elon Musk said at a news conference at the company's design studio that the company's roadside Supercharger has been installed at six highway rest stops in California.

The innovation is "the answer to the three major problems that are holding back electrical vehicles, or at least people think are holding back electrical vehicles," Musk said before a curtain was lifted from a giant model of one of the devices. "One is this question of being able to drive long distances conveniently."

The free stations are designed to fully charge Tesla's new Model S sedan in about an hour, and a half-hour-long charge can produce enough energy for a 150-mile trip, he said.

The first six, which were developed and deployed in secret, are in Barstow, Hawthorne, Lebec, Coalinga, Gilroy and Folsom. Tesla spokeswoman Christina Ra said they are open only to company employees, but would be available to the public in early October.

Musk said his Palo Alto-based company planned to have more stations running throughout California and in parts of Nevada and Oregon by the end of the year, and expected to blanket "almost the entire United States" within two years.

Tesla unveiled the Model S, its first mass-market vehicle, in June. The base model costs sells for $49,900 after a federal tax credit.

Along with persuading consumers that electric vehicles are practical, the charging stations were developed with an eye toward alleviating doubts about their environmental effects. Musk said the solar-powered stations in California would produce more clean energy than is needed to keep cars running.

AP