Tesla Plans 100 GW Solar Factory Network by 2028

Tesla is betting big on American solar energy, announcing plans to build 100 gigawatts of solar panel manufacturing capacity across the United States by 2028.

To put that in perspective, 100 GW could power roughly 18 million homes. The electric car company is now hiring engineers in California specifically to develop manufacturing processes for "energy products at massive scale."

The company is already putting money where its mission is. Tesla plans to purchase $2.9 billion worth of solar manufacturing equipment from Chinese suppliers, including advanced screen-printing production lines. The equipment is scheduled to arrive in Texas before autumn, according to industry sources.

CEO Elon Musk first revealed the ambitious timeline at the World Economic Forum earlier this year. He estimated the buildout would take about three years, aligning perfectly with the 2028 target now appearing in job postings.

Tesla isn't starting from scratch. In January, the company launched its first U.S.-manufactured solar panels from its New York Gigafactory. That facility is currently scaling up to produce over 300 megawatts annually, but the new expansion dwarfs that initial capacity by more than 300 times.

The Ripple Effect spreads far beyond cheap electricity. Building 100 GW of manufacturing capacity means thousands of high-skilled jobs in American factories. It means less dependence on foreign supply chains for critical clean energy technology. And it means dramatically lower costs for homeowners and businesses wanting to go solar.

The timing couldn't be better. As energy demand surges from data centers and AI computing, having massive domestic solar manufacturing capacity gives the U.S. energy security while fighting climate change. Other automakers and tech companies are watching closely, and Tesla's success could spark a solar manufacturing renaissance across the country.

The solar equipment suppliers are working with Chinese regulators to secure export approvals for the massive equipment shipments. Once approved, the buildout can begin in earnest at sites across America.

A nation powered by sunshine, built by American workers, creating energy independence one solar panel at a time.