# Combining Solar to Tesla Electric Cars Always Went Together. It was Inevitable. - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/ - Published: 2017-12-19T05:12:05-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy # U.S. Solar First of all, the U.S. solar market continued its years-long expansion. In second quarter of 2017, the industry installed 2,387 megawatts (MW) of solar panels. This quarter tops Q1’s total. it represents an 8 percent year-over-year gain. GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reported in [U.S. Solar Market Insight Report](https://www.seia.org/us-solar-market-insight). My Info is according to a new market research report. The report is called “Photovoltaics Market By Type (Organic PV, Inorganic PV), Component (Crystalline Silicon PV Cells, Thin Film PV Cells, Modules, Optics, Trackers), Application (Residential, Non-Residential and Utility) & Geography Analysis and Forecasts to 2013-2020”. It’s published by MarketsandMarkets. Here’s the sugar. Most important. The total [Photovoltaics Market](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/solar-photovoltaics-market-will-be-worth-more-345-billion-by-2020/) expecting to be worth $345.59 Billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 18.30 %. ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/image-30.jpg? w=780&quality=52&ssl=1) Today, it means developing high-efficiency solar panels. High efficiency means you capture more electrons easier! I mean Tesla’s mission has been to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Just like we talk about here. So that we can have a better future. ##### As well, this is for creating the smartest Grid. Moving our economy all and together towards clean energy. What are three things that can help address climate change? The same things that can have a positive impact on the world? They are sustainable energy generation, batteries and electric cars. These Renewable or green ideas have climbed the hill toward success. Now the smarter grid comes into play. When you combine these things they become even more powerful. Ah, now you’re starting to connect the dots of all this battery,[ energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/08/10-largest-wind-project-development-2022/) storage, Solar and Car connection. **_They are all interconnected_**. A joint Tesla and [SolarCity](https://www.tesla.com/utilities?energy_redirect=true) will be able to offer customers better and more affordable ways to drive clean cars, use battery packs to consume energy more efficiently, and make use of solar energy. ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3090-1.jpg? w=780&quality=52&ssl=1) ##### 󠀁[Tesla](https://www.tesla.com)󠁿 already offers batteries and electric cars, and SolarCity already offers sustainable energy generation. Together, Tesla and SolarCity have introduced an integrated system that illustrates what the companies can do together. This system is beautiful, customizable, and offers a smart and simple way for people to live sustainably. ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3119.jpg? resize=375%2C338&quality=52&ssl=1 "img_3119 - The Green Living Guy") Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable [electric vehicles](https://greenlivingguy.com/2006/08/tesla-roadster-unveiled-in-santa-monica/) and renewable energy generation and storage. At the heart of these products are batteries. ## So again let’s connect the dots. The Gigafactory’s electricity will, in part, come from solar. The entire roof of the factory covering in solar array. Power not consumed during the day storing via SolarCity 󠀁[Powerwall](https://www.tesla.com/powerwall?energy_redirect=true)󠁿 for use when needed. ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3118.jpg? resize=768%2C401&quality=52&ssl=1 "img_3118 - The Green Living Guy") In conclusion, and as I wrote earlier in the year, _Speaking to the National Governors Association summer conference in Rhode Island last week, Elon Musk gave the state politicos their money’s worth. He told them that it would be possible to supply every electron needed to keep America humming by covering just 100 square miles with solar panels._ “If you wanted to power the entire U.S. with solar panels, it would take a small corner of Nevada or Texas or Utah. You only need about 100 miles by 100 miles of solar panels to power the entire United States.” ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3120.jpg? resize=780%2C585&quality=52&ssl=1 "img_3120 - The Green Living Guy") As [Teslarati](https://www.teslarati.com) reported, Tesla shed light on its manufacturing strategy, announcing for the first time locating Gigafactory 2 as the recently acquired SolarCity plant in Buffalo, New York. The company announced in December an agreement made with Panasonic that would allow both companies to begin manufacturing photovoltaic cells, and modules for Tesla’s Solar Roof and traditional solar panels, at the facility. Tesla is to launch the Solar Roof product in the second half of 2017. USA. ![Combining solar to tesla electric cars always went together It was inevitable]( https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3121.jpg?resize =780%2C520&quality=52&ssl=1 "Combining Solar to Tesla Electric Cars Always Went Together. It was Inevitable. - The Green Living Guy") **_Photo Source: Teslorati_** ###### As 󠀁[PV magazine](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/09/05/tesla-begins-production-of-solar-cells-at-buffalo-gigafactory/)󠁿 reported, it has taken three years, during which time the technology and even the companies involved have changed, but the much-anticipated SolarCity “gigafactory” in Buffalo, New York has finally produced its first PV cells. This news broke from Associated Press, and reaffirmed by a statement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Details limited and it seems that so far this is only test production, as Tesla Chief Technology Officer J B Straubel told the Associated Press that ramp-of Tesla’s Solar Roof modules will begin “in a real way” by the end of 2017. [Panasonic](https://web.archive.org/web/20171119035329/http://panasonicmovesus.com:80/opportunity-burns-bright-solar-technology/?) has started making its high-efficiency HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) solar cells at Gigafactory 2 in RiverBend, Buffalo, New York State but real modules like these not in production until 2019. Furthermore, as we have talked about throughout my series of [Panasonic USA](https://na.panasonic.com/us/integrated-solutions/sustainable-energy) stories, “Adding newly minted Tesla Solar production to the Gigafactory model means Tesla will be producing all three of its core product families – Motors, Energy and Solar – in a single factory footprint. ## Also, vetting this concept out in Gigafactory 2 will give a nice blueprint for future Gigafactories. I mean as Tesla looks beyond the borders of the U.S.. You know. Towards international expansion. As MIT Technology Review posted: In an industrial park near the shore of Lake Erie, hard by the Buffalo River, the future of the solar power industry is under construction. SolarCity’s sprawling Buffalo factory, built and paid for by the state of New York, is nearing completion and will soon begin producing some of the most efficient solar panels available commercially. Capable of making 10,000 solar panels a day, or one gigawatt of solar capacity a year, it will be the largest solar manufacturing plant in North America and one of the biggest in the world. ###### When production begins, 󠀁[SolarCity](https://www.tesla.com/solarpanels?energy_redirect=true)󠁿, already was the leading installer of residential solar panels in the United States. Now they will become a vertically integrated manufacturer and provider. Hence, doing everything from making the solar cells to putting them on rooftops. SO big! I mean think about when the Model S started. Who did they call?⏎ This was at a time when conventional silicon-based solar panels from China have never been cheaper. So investing in a new type of solar technology is a risky undertaking. However, the potential benefits are huge. So the new factory could transform SolarCity’s business. I mean they had consistently lost money. The economics of residential solar power wasn’t working! This came from says SolarCity chief technology officer Peter Rive. ## So again and in inclusion, when Tesla needed to ramp up Solar production. As well and more importantly they then wanted to scale up Solar to their gigafactory roofs. So cool! Talk about banner for conserving Energy. So again who did they call?? Panasonic USA!!! **_Finally, this post was #paid by PanasonicUSA_** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) ## Comments ### By: jpatterson2222 - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/#comment-28707 - Published: 2017-12-26T14:32:44-05:00 Are you at all concerned with some of the promises made by Tesla/Musk not being kept? Elon said all SuperChargers will be off grid solar over two years and currently there are zero. He said production of solar roof tiles would begin by the end of the year and has produced none and further started taking peoples money on May 10, 2017 ($1000 deposits). He has been taking $1000 deposits for Model 3 vehicles for over a year and has not started selling to the public in the promised quantities of 5000 units per week by year end. He has sold “full autonomous” driving for $8k and has said that a Tesla will go from coast to coast with no human interaction by year end, it has not happened. He has said that Gigafactory 1 will be 100% solar powered and use no fossil fuels and currently redacted that to be no solar power& 100% fossil fuel powered. How many tall tale claims can he make and not meet before we start to question whether Elon Musk is a charlatan? ### By: greenlivingguy - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/#comment-28708 - Published: 2017-12-28T04:46:40-05:00 Actually the Model 3 is selling. ### By: greenlivingguy - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/#comment-28709 - Published: 2017-12-28T04:47:23-05:00 Elon takes his time. Sometimes to the utter beyond frustration of investors. But he gets it done. It’s happening. He’s doing this more than you know. ### By: greenlivingguy - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/#comment-28710 - Published: 2017-12-28T04:50:14-05:00 SuperChargers I mean common. They first have to get out there. Then the Buffalo facility now producing will churn out the panels. He’s building from the ground up. As for autonomous vehicles..I’ve driven the Tesla Model P90D with autonomy. It’s already possible in part. The part that I feel comfortable with at least lol. I’m not too convinced on aut ### By: greenlivingguy - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/#comment-28711 - Published: 2017-12-28T04:50:34-05:00 I appreciate your comment. ### By: greenlivingguy - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/#comment-28712 - Published: 2017-12-28T04:52:25-05:00 I am not too sure on autonomy. I am sure on Solar and electric cars. The Model 3 has hit the streets. Not at the numbers he targeted for stock brokers but in reality he’s doing what nobody else is. The original Roadster and Model S took time too. He will do just fine. ### By: greenlivingguy - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/combining-solar-to-tesla-electric-cars-always-went-together-it-was-inevitable/#comment-32290 - Published: 2023-05-28T19:42:33-04:00 Thank you for that. I won’t comment on that Elon question for now but read my posts.