Tesla has launched a new solar panel made at its Gigafactory in Buffalo, New York. This release is surprising since Tesla has been cutting back its operations in recent years.
Tesla's solar energy business has been shrinking since it bought SolarCity in 2016. It never reached the same level of solar installations that SolarCity achieved, and things got worse in recent years. Tesla even stopped publishing data on solar PV panels installations in 2024 and shifted to working with third-party installers rather than using its own teams.
However, Tesla announced it would start making solar panels again in Buffalo. The new TSP 420 module is now available on Tesla's website, marking the company’s long-awaited goal to create its own solar panels.
The key detail in the product specs is that the panels are assembled in Buffalo, though the actual solar cells are made elsewhere. The Buffalo Gigafactory was initially built by SolarCity with help from New York State funding to become the largest solar factory in the Western Hemisphere.
After Tesla bought SolarCity, Panasonic ran the factory until 2020, when it pulled out. Since then, the facility has mostly been used for Supercharger parts and Autopilot data.
This move comes at a time when the demand for renewable energy solutions continues to grow, driven by both environmental concerns and increasing energy prices. Tesla’s focus on solar panel production in the U.S. highlights its strategy to bolster domestic manufacturing and contribute to the country’s transition to clean energy. By revitalizing the Buffalo factory, Tesla not only strengthens its solar division but also reinforces its broader mission of promoting sustainable energy solutions.