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That still doesn't explain why they can't use cheap panels from China.
by guelo 10y ago
That still doesn't explain why they can't use cheap panels from China.
- illumin8 10y agoHave they ever said they wouldn't use cheap panels from China? Why would you assume Tesla would procure more expensive panels if it didn't make sense to do so?
- guelo 10y agoOK, I was thinking of SolarCity as a panel manufacturer. Are they just an installer? If so then what makes them worth $2.6 billion?
- erikpukinskis 10y agoThey were just an installer but they acquired Silevo in 2014. They built a 1GW plant in Buffalo, NY, cut the ribbon last year and are supposedly ramping production right now: http://www.pv-tech.org/editors-blog/solarcitys-1gw-buffalo-fab-using-technology-from-japan-germany-and-taiwan http://www.pv-tech.org/editors-blog/solarcitys-1gw-buffalo-f...
- erikpukinskis 10y agoSupposedly panel costs are not that significant compared to installation, and kW per unit area matters more in the rooftop economics. That was the rationale at the time of the Silevo acquisition anyway.