tesla's new york solar factory making other products in bid to boost jobs - home energy storage1
(Reuters)-
Tesla said on Wednesday that its solar plant in Buffalo, New York, will become a "home of manufacture" for electric vehicle supercharger cabinets and other energy storage products as it seeks to achieve employment targets related to state subsidies.
The company disclosed the move in an annual report to New York State, which states that so far the company has exceeded its employment and investment commitments.
But in order to achieve next year's goal, the company must add hundreds of employees in New York.
Tesla employs 329 employees at the plant and about 300 employees elsewhere in the state, the report said.
It was asked to have at least 500 employees in the state by April 30 in exchange for a $0. 75 billion Buffalo factory subsidy known as the River Bay plant.
According to the Imperial development data of the national economic development sector, by this time next year, it must employ 1,460 workers in the state, including 500 workers in factories.
Tesla also said it had invested $381.
As of April 30, there were 9 million people in New York state, including $179.
3 million last year.
"We are committed to investing in Buffalo and the state," Tesla said in an email statement . ".
Tesla's manufacturing partner, Panasonic, has about 400 employees at its Buffalo plant.
It is not clear whether these tasks are included in the count of achieving national goals.
Panasonic makes solar cells for Tesla and other companies and assembles panels in the factory.
"We are pleased that Tesla reported that it has exceeded its job and investment commitments," said Pam Lade, spokesman for Imperial development, in an email statement.
"In the coming weeks, ESD will conduct the necessary due diligence on the data provided by Tesla.
"Tesla's plans to produce solar products in New York have been reviewed because the company has significantly reduced production in the United States. S.
In 2016, the company acquired the solar business for $2.
Buy 6 billion of SolarCity
At that time, it planned to use the factory to make a groundbreaking product called solar roof, an energy system that looks like a common roof tile.
But the product is entering the market much slower than promised, and Panasonic is shipping most of the batteries originally used for solar roofs to overseas customers.
Panasonic also seeks other customers for its Buffalomade panels.