Energy
Tesla solar factory in NY caught in the crossfire of Buffalo Billion corruption case
A high-profile developer connected to Tesla’s solar factory in Buffalo, NY was convicted last Thursday of rigging the bids for several state-funded contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. During his sentencing last week, former SUNY Polytechnic Institute president Alain Kaloyeros was found by a Manhattan judge guilty of two counts of wire fraud and one count of wire fraud conspiracy.
Kaloyeros was, at one point, a prominent ally of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New York’s Southern District, the 62-year-old developer crafted contract-bidding documents to ensure that high-profile, taxpayer-funded construction projects were granted to two companies that have close ties with the NY governor. Among these is Tesla’s Gigafactory 2 facility in Buffalo, NY, which is tasked with manufacturing photovoltaic cells for the company’s Solar Roof tiles and solar panels. The Tesla solar factory contract was worth $750 million and is considered a centerpiece of the “Buffalo Billion,” a plan by the NY governor designed to push the city’s economy forward.
The contract for Tesla’s solar factory was granted to LPCiminelli, whose president, Louis Ciminelli, was also convicted on Thursday of felonies. Two other individuals, Steven Aiello and Joseph Gerardi of COR Development were also convicted last week.
Prior to being dubbed as Tesla’s Gigafactory 2, the 1.2 million-square-foot factory in Buffalo began as a SolarCity facility that was to be used as a clean energy business incubation center. Construction for the factory began in September 2014 and completed in 2017. Development for the expansive facility was assigned to SUNY Polytechnic Institute, which was led by the now-convicted Kaloyeros. With the acquisition of SolarCity in 2016, the site eventually came to be known as Gigafactory 2.
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While Gigafactory 2 does not make the news as much as the company’s massive Gigafactory battery plant in Nevada, the site, nevertheless, has been quietly ramping its activities in preparation for mass production of Tesla photovoltaic cells. Back in January, the Trump administration announced that it would be placing a 30% tariff on solar system components that are imported abroad. In response to these additional duties, a Tesla spokesperson stated that it would continue Gigafactory 2’s expansion regardless of the government’s additional tariffs. Panasonic, Tesla’s battery partner, is also collaborating with the electric car and energy company in Gigafactory 2. Thus, once solar production hits its stride in the Buffalo, NY facility, Tesla would be largely unaffected by extra duties imposed by the US government on important solar components.
Signs of a ramp in Gigafactory 2 started emerging last April when Tesla announced that it was hiring more workers for the site through five rounds of information sessions that are aimed at seeking out potential employees for the facility. The recent information sessions were Tesla’s most extensive hiring initiatives for the factory since the acquisition of SolarCity back in 2016.
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.
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
