Tesla’s Energy business, while not attracting as many headlines as the company’s electric car division, continues to expand its reach. While some of Tesla Energy’s projects fly practically under the radar, the company’s lithium-ion battery storage units have, quite literally, changed lives across the globe.
When Tesla announced its first quarter results last week, the company noted that it is streamlining its residential energy storage business with a simplified online sales channel. The company also stated that it expects to grow its Energy business this year, as it works through the backlog of Powerwall orders that have been, for the most part, put aside in favor of the company’s ramp for the Model 3 in 2018.
“Energy generation and storage revenue should increase significantly in 2019. This increase is driven mainly due to the storage business as we increase production to address our backlog in Powerwall orders and deliver on our pipeline of orders for commercial storage and an expected growth in retrofit solar deployments in the second half of 2019,” Tesla noted.
One of these Tesla Energy orders could be found in Eritrea, a country in the Horn of Africa. Tesla was involved in two projects in the nation, particularly in Areza and Maidma, where it played a crucial role in establishing a 1.25MW and 1MW mini-grid for the rural communities. The projects were led by UK solar developer Solarcentury, who opted to utilize Tesla’s lithium-ion batteries as the energy storage units of choice for the mini-grid. Overall, the project benefitted around 40,000 people and businesses, which will now be getting cheaper and more stable power.
Prior to the installation of its solar panels and Tesla batteries, the communities in Areza and Maidma relied solely on diesel. With the mini-grid in place, the residents of the African nation will be able to step away from inconveniences such as fluctuating diesel prices, steep maintenance costs of its diesel equipment, and reduced air quality. Theo Guerre-Canon, a project manager at Solarcentury, described the mini-grid’s benefits in a statement to Forbes. “Our hope is that access to reliable electricity will support wider economic growth in the region and social development. For example, there’s a clinic in Areza that will now benefit from uninterrupted electricity,” he said.
This is not the first time that Tesla’s batteries have literally changed the lives of communities for the better. In the Philippines, Tesla worked with a solar provider to install a microgrid in a town that’s notorious for never having 24/7 power. Since coming online, Tesla’s batteries have affected many of the town’s residents. Fishermen, for example, are now able to freeze their catch and sell them to towns that are farther away, resulting in more income. These benefits might seem trivial to many, but for residents who have been conditioned to think of power interruptions as part of everyday life, having round-the-clock electricity thanks to Tesla’s batteries is remarkable.
Now that Tesla has all but mastered Model 3 production, the company appears to be finally ready to push its Energy business more aggressively. This was teased by Elon Musk himself during the unveiling of the Tesla Model Y, where he noted that 2019 would be the “Year of the Solar Roof and Powerwall.” Musk also highlighted how Tesla Energy is invaluable to the company’s mission. “Solar plus battery plus electric vehicles, we have a fully sustainable future. That’s a future you can feel really excited and optimistic about. I think that really matters,” Musk said. For the communities that have been changed and helped by Tesla’s batteries, these words definitely ring true.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Energy
Tesla Megapack Megafactory in Texas advances with major property sale
Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet.
Tesla’s planned Megapack factory in Brookshire, Texas has taken a significant step forward, as two massive industrial buildings fully leased to the company were sold to an institutional investor.
In a press release, Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet. The properties are 100% leased to Tesla under a long-term agreement and were acquired by BGO on behalf of an institutional investor.
The two facilities, located at 100 Empire Boulevard in Brookshire, Texas, will serve as Tesla’s new Megafactory dedicated to manufacturing Megapack battery systems.
According to local filings previously reported, Tesla plans to invest nearly $200 million into the site. The investment includes approximately $44 million in facility upgrades such as electrical, utility, and HVAC improvements, along with roughly $150 million in manufacturing equipment.
Building 9, spanning roughly 1 million square feet, will function as the primary manufacturing floor where Megapacks are assembled. Building 10, covering approximately 600,000 square feet, will be dedicated to warehousing and logistics operations, supporting storage and distribution of completed battery systems.
Waller County Commissioners have approved a 10-year tax abatement agreement with Tesla, offering up to a 60% property-tax reduction if the company meets hiring and investment targets. Tesla has committed to employing at least 375 people by the end of 2026, increasing to 1,500 by the end of 2028, as noted in an Austin County News Online report.
The Brookshire Megafactory will complement Tesla’s Lathrop Megafactory in California and expand U.S. production capacity for the utility-scale energy storage unit. Megapacks are designed to support grid stabilization and renewable-energy integration, a segment that has become one of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses.
Energy
Tesla meets Giga New York’s Buffalo job target amid political pressures
Giga New York reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease.
Tesla has surpassed its job commitments at Giga New York in Buffalo, easing pressure from lawmakers who threatened the company with fines, subsidy clawbacks, and dealership license revocations last year.
The company reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease at the state-built facility.
As per an employment report reviewed by local media, Tesla employed 2,399 full-time workers at Gigafactory New York and 1,060 additional employees across the state at the end of 2025. Part-time roles pushed the total headcount of Tesla’s New York staff above the 3,460-job target.
The gains stemmed in part from a new Long Island service center, a Buffalo warehouse, and additional showrooms in White Plains and Staten Island. Tesla also said it has invested $350 million in supercomputing infrastructure at the site and has begun manufacturing solar panels.
Empire State Development CEO Hope Knight said the agency was “very happy” with Giga New York’s progress, as noted in a WXXI report. The current lease runs through 2029, and negotiations over updated terms have included potential adjustments to job requirements and future rent payments.
Some lawmakers remain skeptical, however. Assemblymember Pat Burke questioned whether the reported job figures have been fully verified. State Sen. Patricia Fahy has also continued to sponsor legislation that would revoke Tesla’s company-owned dealership licenses in New York. John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany has argued that the project has not delivered the manufacturing impact originally promised as well.
Knight, for her part, maintained that Empire State Development has been making the best of a difficult situation.
“(Empire State Development) has tried to make the best of a very difficult situation. There hasn’t been another use that has come forward that would replace this one, and so to the extent that we’re in this place, the fact that 2,000 families at (Giga New York) are being supported through the activity of this employer. It’s the best that we can have happen,” the CEO noted.
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