Tesla Negotiates $2.9B Solar Equipment Deal to Support 100GW U.S. Capacity
Tesla is negotiating a $2.9B purchase of solar panel and cell manufacturing equipment from Chinese suppliers including Suzhou Maxwell Technologies and S.C New Energy Technology. CEO Elon Musk aims to install 100GW of U.S. solar capacity by 2028 using the imported machinery.
1. Equipment Purchase Negotiations
Tesla is in talks to acquire approximately 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion) of solar panel and cell manufacturing equipment. These negotiations focus on securing machinery by this autumn to bolster domestic solar production capacity.
2. Supplier and Regulatory Details
Key suppliers under consideration include Suzhou Maxwell Technologies, Shenzhen S.C New Energy Technology and Laplace Renewable Energy Technology. Certain screen-printing production lines will require export approval from China’s commerce ministry, with approval timelines still undetermined.
3. U.S. Solar Capacity Ambitions
Elon Musk plans to deploy 100 GW of solar manufacturing on American soil by the end of 2028. The imported equipment will feed Gigaplant operations in Texas, powering Tesla facilities and select SpaceX satellites.