Are Tesla Solar Panels Made By Panasonic?

How Tesla solar panels are made has been a source of confusion for many homeowners interested in going solar. While Tesla designs and sells its own solar products, there is some involvement from the Japanese electronics company Panasonic in the manufacturing process. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Tesla’s solar panels, their partnership with Panasonic, and the roles each company plays in producing the panels installed on people’s homes.

The aim is to clarify exactly how Tesla’s solar panels are manufactured and dispel misconceptions that they are simply rebranded Panasonic products. We’ll look at the origins of Tesla’s solar division, the technology that goes into their solar panels and solar roof tiles, how the installation process works, costs and savings, and what the future outlook is for Tesla’s solar energy business.

Brief History of Tesla Solar

Tesla entered the solar energy business in 2016 with its acquisition of SolarCity, one of the largest solar panel installers in the United States at the time. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk was also the chairman and largest shareholder of SolarCity, which was founded by his cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive.

By acquiring SolarCity, Tesla significantly expanded its sustainable energy business beyond electric vehicles. Tesla inherited SolarCity’s existing solar panel manufacturing partnership with Panasonic and installed base of over 300,000 customers. The merger enabled Tesla to sell solar products alongside its Powerwall home battery storage system for a seamless renewable energy solution.

Tesla’s Partnership with Panasonic

In late 2016, Tesla entered into a partnership agreement with Panasonic to produce solar cells for Tesla at Tesla’s Gigafactory 2 in Buffalo, New York. This agreement was part of Tesla’s vertical integration strategy, allowing them to secure a reliable supplier for solar cells, a key component of their solar panels.

Under the terms of the agreement, Panasonic manufactures and supplies solar cells to Tesla from the Buffalo Gigafactory. Tesla then uses these solar cells to assemble completed solar panels at their Fremont, California facility before shipping them to customers.

The deal was mutually beneficial for both companies. For Tesla, it gave them a dedicated solar cell manufacturing facility that could meet their demands as they ramped up solar production. For Panasonic, it provided them with a major partner and outlet for their solar cells as well as access to Tesla’s brand and sales channels.

Panasonic’s Role in Production

Panasonic plays an integral role in the production of Tesla’s solar panels. In 2016, Tesla entered into a partnership with Panasonic to begin manufacturing solar cells and modules at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Buffalo, New York.

The Gigafactory is where the majority of Tesla solar panels are assembled. Panasonic manufactures the solar cells and modules, which Tesla then packages into its Solar Roof and solar panel products. The facility has a production capacity of 1 GW of solar cells per year.

The partnership with Panasonic allows Tesla to leverage the company’s extensive expertise in solar manufacturing to produce high-efficiency, high-durability photovoltaic cells and modules. Panasonic has been a leader in solar technology for over 40 years. By teaming up, Tesla is able to incorporate cutting-edge solar components into its products.

Overall, Panasonic serves as the exclusive manufacturer of the solar cells and panels that go into Tesla’s solar products. The components are made at the Gigafactory 2 facility in New York before being shipped to Tesla for integration into their Solar Roof tiles and traditional solar panels.

The Solar Panels Themselves

The solar panels used in Tesla’s solar roof and solar panel products consist of high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells that have an efficiency rating of over 22%. The solar cells are designed and manufactured by Panasonic specifically for Tesla’s solar products.

The panels use copper foundation materials and weatherproof front and back films for maximum durability. The tempered glass surface is impact and scratch resistant. The panels themselves are lightweight, sleek, and low profile.

Tesla solar panels are assembled at their Gigafactory 2 in Buffalo, New York using Panasonic’s high-performance photovoltaic cells. The sleek design of the panels allows them to integrate seamlessly into Tesla’s solar roof tiles. The partnership with Panasonic allows Tesla to produce high-efficiency solar products in high volumes.

The panels utilize smart optimization software that monitors system output and performance. This allows the system to automatically detect issues and take action when needed. The panels are designed for seamless connectivity with Tesla’s Powerwall home battery.

Installation Process

Tesla uses a network of certified installation partners to handle the solar panel installation process for customers. While Tesla designs the solar panels and provides the hardware, the actual physical installation is performed by one of their partner companies.

The installation process begins with a site visit and survey by the Tesla partner. They will evaluate the home’s roof, electric system, and energy usage to develop a customized system design. The design will specify the number of solar panels to be installed, the placement on the roof, and any additional hardware needed.

Once the system design is finalized, the installation can be scheduled. The installers will start by safely removing any existing roofing and preparing the roof surface. The solar panel mounting hardware is then secured to the roof trusses and framing. Wiring is run from the panels down to the inverter and electrical panel.

The solar panels are then mounted and secured to the railings. Any additional weatherproofing or roof repairs are completed to protect the integrity of the roof. The panels are wired together in strings to match the voltage specifications. Finally, the system is tested to ensure proper functioning before the installation process is complete.

Tesla manages and oversees the entire installation process. Their partner contractors are trained and certified by Tesla to ensure standardization and quality control. However, the physical installation work is performed by the independent partner company, not Tesla employees.

Pricing and Financing Tesla Solar Panels

Tesla solar panels are competitively priced but still represent a significant upfront investment for most homeowners. The price varies widely based on your specific energy needs and location. The national average cost to install a 6kW system is around $18,000 before incentives and financing options are factored in.

Financing options can help make Tesla solar panels more affordable. Tesla offers several flexible financing options including:

• Cash purchase – Pay upfront for the full system cost and own it outright.
• Loan – Finance the solar panels and pay over time. Interest rates vary.
• Lease – Pay a fixed monthly rate to essentially “rent” the system. No upfront cost.
• Power purchase agreement (PPA) – Pay a fixed rate per kWh of solar power produced. No upfront costs.

You may also qualify for federal, state, or local incentives and rebates to lower the overall cost. The federal solar tax credit offers a 26% credit for systems installed in 2022-2023. Some utility companies and states also offer generous solar incentives to encourage adoption.

Tesla provides tools to help you estimate costs and savings based on your address. Financing options combined with incentives can greatly reduce the upfront investment in a Tesla solar system.

Reviews and Comparisons

When comparing Tesla solar panels to competitors, they generally rate very well in terms of efficiency, aesthetics, longevity, and customer satisfaction. Some key factors to consider:

Efficiency – Tesla’s solar panels have high efficiency ratings, usually around 20-22%. This is comparable or better than top brands like SunPower, LG, Panasonic, and Solaria.

Aesthetics – The sleek, all-black design of Tesla solar panels are aesthetically pleasing and blend in well on many rooftops. Competitors’ panels sometimes have visible wiring or less seamless designs.

Durability – Made with tempered glass and robust framing, Tesla panels are expected to withstand harsh weather conditions for 25+ years. Only the highest-end competitors offer comparable 25-year warranties.

Customer Experience – From ordering to installation, Tesla aims to provide a seamless solar experience focused on quality and satisfaction. Their customer service receives consistently positive reviews.

Overall, Tesla solar scores very competitively on key metrics. The sleek design, efficient panels, and focus on customer experience make them a top choice if looking to install solar panels in 2023 and beyond.

Future Outlook for Tesla Solar

As one of the leading producers of solar panels and renewable energy products, Tesla has an ambitious vision for the future of its solar business. The company aims to continue innovating and expanding its solar offerings in the coming years.

In terms of expansion, Tesla is working to make its solar products available to more homeowners across the United States and worldwide. The company is streamlining its sales and installation processes to make adoption faster and easier. Tesla is also ramping up solar tile production at its Buffalo Gigafactory to meet anticipated demand.

On the product side, Tesla solar is developing integrated solar roofs with customized tiles to fit home aesthetics. Rather than bulky panels, these solar roofs incorporate the cells directly into durable glass tiles. New solar roof iterations will likely boost efficiency and bring down costs. Tesla is also working on several energy storage solutions to pair with its solar panels and create resilient home energy systems.

Innovations in solar cell technology will further improve the efficiency, durability and flexibility of Tesla’s panels. With advanced solar cell designs and novel materials such as solar glass, Tesla aims to make its photovoltaic technology even more capable and affordable. The future looks bright for Tesla Energy as it charts the path to making solar power even more accessible.

Conclusion

In summary, Panasonic has played a significant role in Tesla’s production of solar panels, but Tesla maintains ownership over the overall design and installation process. Tesla partnered with Panasonic to build a factory in Buffalo, New York, called Gigafactory 2, where Panasonic manufacturers the high-efficiency solar cells that go into Tesla’s solar panels and roof tiles. However, Tesla handles the module assembly and systems integration at a separate facility. The partnership allows Tesla to leverage Panasonic’s solar cell expertise while still controlling key aspects of solar product development. While Panasonic produces the cells used in Tesla solar panels, the panels themselves are the result of Tesla’s proprietary technology and approach to seamless solar energy solutions.

Ultimately, Tesla solar panels represent Tesla’s vision for building and installing attractive, high-performance solar systems. While Panasonic plays an instrumental part behind the scenes in cell manufacturing, Tesla maintains ownership over the end-to-end customer experience with its solar energy products.