Tesla launches US-made solar panel, a rare sign of life for its solar business

Tesla has updated its online configurator with a new solar panel heavily emphasizing its US manufacturing at Gigafactory New York. It’s a surprising new product launch for a business that Tesla has seemingly been dismantling for the last two years.

For years now, we have been reporting on the slow decline of Tesla’s solar business.

After acquiring SolarCity in 2016, Tesla’s solar deployment has never reached the highs of its predecessor. The situation became dire over the last few years as Tesla stopped scheduling projects in many markets and eventually stopped reporting its solar deployment numbers entirely in 2024.

Instead, the company shifted its strategy to become a supplier, launching an “Installer Day” and pushing its hardware through third-party certified installers rather than its own internal teams.

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But late last year, we saw a flicker of life when Tesla announced it would restart solar panel production in Buffalo. Now, we have the full specs of that product, and it looks like Tesla is finally doing what it promised nearly a decade ago: building its own unique solar module.

The new module, listed as TSP-420, appeared on Tesla’s website today.

Made in Buffalo, Finally

The most prominent feature of the datasheet is the statement: “Proudly made on Earth by humans and assembled in Buffalo, New York, in the United States of America.”

“Assembled in Buffalo” does point to someone outside the US producing the solar cells and Tesla assembling the panels at Gigafactory New York in Buffalo.

But this is still significant. Gigafactory New York (originally built for SolarCity and paid for by the state of New York) was supposed to be the largest solar factory in the Western Hemisphere. However, after the acquisition, Panasonic took over manufacturing there before exiting the facility in 2020. Since then, the factory has been mostly used for Supercharger components and Autopilot data labeling.

For the last few years, Tesla has been white-labeling panels from other manufacturers like Q Cells. This new datasheet confirms they are bringing manufacturing back in-house with a proprietary design.

Giga New York is back to being a solar factory to some degree.

The Specs: 18 Power Zones?

The specs show a 415W and 420W module, which is standard for the current market, we previously reported on Tesla adopting 420W panels back in 2021.

However, the technology inside seems different. Tesla claims the new panel features “18 Power Zones” compared to 6 in a standard panel.

Standard half-cut solar cells usually split a panel into two independent sections (top and bottom) to handle shading better. If Tesla is claiming 18 zones, they are likely using a shingled cell design or a custom string layout that allows the panel to maintain output even when significant portions are shaded.

The datasheet also confirms the integration of the Zep-derived rail-less mounting hardware, which Tesla claims allows the panel to sit closer to the roof for a “minimalist aesthetic” – a tech acquired through the Solar City bailout a decade ago.

Electrek’s Take

On one hand, I am happy to see Tesla finally utilizing Gigafactory New York for its original purpose. The “Power Zones” tech sounds genuinely useful for shading issues, and if they can control the manufacturing cost, it could be a competitive product.

There are some smaller panels out there that have 420 watts of capacity, but if it can handle shading better, it could be more efficient.

On the other hand, what does this mean for Tesla’s solar business?

Tesla has spent the last two years firing its solar scheduling teams and canceling customer orders en masse. They explicitly pivoted to third-party installers. Is this panel only for Tesla’s internal crews (which are now skeletal)? Or will they sell this premium, US-made panel to third-party installers?

I think it’s going to be the latter.

If they sell it to third parties, it competes directly with the commodity panels those installers love to use. If they keep it for themselves, they need to rebuild an installation workforce they just spent years dismantling.

It feels like Tesla’s solar strategy is still a bit of a yo-yo. But at least for now, the solar business has a pulse.

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AbbVie to Acquire Arizona Manufacturing Facility, Further Strengthening Manufacturing Capabilities in the United States

• Milestone marks progress against AbbVie‘s previously announced commitment to invest more than $10 billion of capital in the U.S. over the next decade to broadly support innovation and expand critical manufacturing capabilities and capacity
• Supports production of AbbVie‘s current and next-generation immunology and neuroscience medicines
• Transaction anticipated to close in mid-2026

AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE: WST) announced today a definitive agreement for AbbVie to acquire a device manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona and associated intellectual property from West. The acquisition of the manufacturing site will significantly expand AbbVie‘s drug delivery device manufacturing capabilities and capacity.

AbbVie plans to hire approximately 200 employees at the site and invest more than $175 million to acquire, as well as modernize and fully integrate it into its global manufacturing network. The combination of this acquisition and associated planned investments are part of AbbVie‘s commitment to expanding its pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States (U.S.), supporting innovation and improving patient access and outcomes.

“Over the next decade, AbbVie is investing more than $10 billion in capital to broadly support innovation and expand our manufacturing capabilities and capacity in the U.S.,” said Robert A. Michael, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. “With this investment, AbbVie is strengthening our manufacturing capabilities, ensuring we are well-positioned to develop and deliver next-generation medicines that make a remarkable impact on patients’ lives.”

The transaction includes the transfer of manufacturing facilities, including multiple production lines, and 3.5 mL on-body injector technology to support production of current and next-generation AbbVie immunology and neuroscience medicines.

With a presence in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, AbbVie employs approximately 29,000 people in the U.S., including more than 6,000 at its 11 U.S. manufacturing sites. When completed, this acquisition will significantly expand AbbVie‘s presence and economic impact in Arizona.

The transaction is anticipated to close in mid-2026, subject to closing conditions.

About AbbVie 

AbbVie‘s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @AbbVie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. 

Forward-Looking Statements  

Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project” and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry, the impact of global macroeconomic factors, such as economic downturns or uncertainty, international conflict, trade disputes and tariffs, and other uncertainties and risks associated with global business operations. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie‘s operations is set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of AbbVie‘s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other documents that AbbVie subsequently files with the Securities and Exchange Commission that update, supplement or supersede such information. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbvie-to-acquire-arizona-manufacturing-facility-further-strengthening-manufacturing-capabilities-in-the-united-states-302658118.html

SOURCE AbbVie

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Joby expands Ohio manufacturing footprint with new facility

Joby Aviation has expanded its US manufacturing footprint with the acquisition of a 700,000-square-foot production facility in the Dayton, Ohio, area, marking another step in the company’s plan to increase aircraft output later this decade. 

The newly acquired site will support Joby’s near-term goal of doubling production to four aircraft per month by 2027, while also providing room for longer-term growth. Operations at the facility are expected to begin later this year. The site complements Joby’s existing manufacturing operations in California and another plant in Ohio. 

According to Joby, the Ohio expansion is intended to help transition the company from low-rate initial production toward higher-volume manufacturing as it moves closer to commercial service. The company has been investing in tooling, capital equipment and its workforce to support increased output, including preparations for round-the-clock manufacturing at its Marina, California facility. 

The Dayton area has played an increasingly central role in Joby’s manufacturing plans. In recent years, the company has expanded its Ohio operations to include propeller blade production and other key components, tapping into the region’s deep aerospace and advanced manufacturing talent base. The new facility significantly increases Joby’s available floor space for assembly, integration and future production lines. 

Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said that the acquisition supports both near-term production goals and longer-range growth ambitions as the company moves from development into scaled manufacturing. He also highlighted Ohio’s historical role in aviation and the policy environment supporting advanced air mobility programs. 

The expansion comes as Joby continues to work through certification milestones for its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and prepares for initial commercial operations. The company has positioned manufacturing scale as a key differentiator as it competes with other eVTOL developers seeking to bring aircraft to market. 

Joby’s announcement follows recent policy moves aimed at accelerating advanced air mobility deployment in the United States. The US Department of Transportation has outlined a national strategy for integrating eVTOL aircraft, while the Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to launch its eVTOL Integration Pilot Program later in 2026. The initiative is designed to validate early operational use cases ahead of full type certification. 

Joby has not disclosed the purchase price of the Ohio facility. The company claims that the site is ready for immediate use and will allow it to scale production capacity in line with anticipated demand from both commercial and government customers. 

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