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
Tesla Motors
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
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