PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 18 (UPI) — Tesla Motors and Panasonic Corp. announced an agreement to produce photovoltaic cells and modules in a new plant in Buffalo, N.Y.
The deal is contingent of Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity Corp., a California-based designer of solar power systems currently constructing the Buffalo plant. Tesla, manufacturers of electric-powered automobiles, plans to use the cells and modules in a solar energy system with Powerwall and Powerpack, Tesla cars’ energy storage products. Production in Buffalo is expected to begin in 2017.
Tesla and Panasonic signed a non-binding letter of intent, a statement issued Sunday said. The two companies are already collaborating on making electric vehicle and grid storage battery cells in a Reno, Nev., factory known as the Gigafactory, which employs 1,000 people.
“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.” JB Straubel, Tesla chief technical officer, said in a statement.
