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Photovoltaic Cell Factory May Open in Buffalo, New York

posted by janrinok on Tuesday October 18 2016, @06:21AM   
from the buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-times-one-billion dept.

butthurt writes:

The USA Today and Reuters report that Tesla Motors and Panasonic announced their intention to open a factory in Buffalo, New York. Photovoltaic cells, and modules containing them, would be made there. Production might begin in 2017.

The two firms signed a non-binding letter of intent to make the cells for Tesla's stationary power storage units, the Powerwall and Powerpack.

The companies are already collaborating in the production of storage cells for rechargeable batteries.

previously:

• Tesla Soars on Financials and Ratings
• Elon Musk's Tesla Offers to Buy Elon Musk's SolarCity, Shares Tumble
• Tesla and SolarCity Reach Agreement to Combine

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Original Submission

• Elon is good at corporate welfareElon is good at corporate welfare (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 18 2016, @11:34AM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 18 2016, @11:34AM (#415616)

  The large Solar City photovoltaic plant outside Buffalo is nearing completion now, we see updates in the local news quite often. NY State built the building and is also paying at least part of the cost for the manufacturing equipment. It's a real sweetheart deal, come and make solar cells in this factory that we (NYS) will give you.

  On the other hand, the site was originally a large steel plant that closed down around 1970 and has not been used for much of anything since then. The initial part of the construction was remediating the huge "brownfield" site, it's unlikely that any company would have paid for this work--if the state didn't do it, the site would still be dirty and unused. This will put it back on the tax rolls (but almost certainly with an initial tax break).

  Oh, and if you haven't been paying attention, Solar City (run by a Musk family member) is merging with Tesla...maybe:
      http://www.streetinsider.com/Mergers+and+Acquisitions/SolarCity+%28SCTY%29Tesla+%28TSLA%29+Merger+Spread+Blows-Out+Ahead+of+Shareholder+Vote/12032090.html [streetinsider.com]

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• Re:Elon is good at corporate welfare(Score: 2) by Entropy on Tuesday October 18 2016, @07:47PM

  by Entropy (4228) on Tuesday October 18 2016, @07:47PM (#415819)

  I was wondering why anyone would possibly choose new york to manufacture anything....but I suppose if NYC pays for the tools then that would do it lol.

  Parent