Tesla and Panasonic to collaborate on solar project
Tesla and Panasonic have signed a non-binding letter of agreement to manufacture solar panels and modules to use with Tesla's energy storage products at the SolarCity facility in Buffalo. The deal, which expands upon an existing agreement, is dependent on shareholders approving Tesla's $2.6bn acquisition of SolarCity, with some quarters suggesting the EV manufacturer does not have the liquidity for the purchase. Shareholders are due to vote on 17 November.

Tesla and Panasonic have agreed to partner on the production of solar panels at a new facility in Buffalo, New York. The agreement, which is actually a non-binding letter of intent, is contingent on shareholder approval of Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity.

The partnership, which was announced in a blog post on Tesla’s website, would see the photovoltaic cells and modules used in a solar energy system that works with Tesla’s Powerwall and Powerpack energy storage products — possibly the new product that Tesla plans to unveil on October 28th.

Tesla and Panasonic already work together to build batteries at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada. The new partnership would be an expansion of current SolarCity operations in Buffalo.

"We are excited to expand our partnership with Panasonic as we move towards a combined Tesla and SolarCity," said Tesla CTO JB Straubel in a statement. "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."