Energy
Tesla Solar Roof V3 shows a more cautious Elon Musk, and that’s a good thing
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously stated that 2019 will be the year of the Solar Roof, the company’s flagship solar product. This prediction almost seemed like it was forgotten for some time, until now, with the electric car maker launching its Solar Roof V3 (now named Solarglass) last Friday. Solar Roof V3 appears to be yet another sign of a change in Tesla’s CEO, one which indicates that Elon Musk has become more cautious, much to the benefit of the electric car and energy company.
The original Solar Roof tiles were unveiled in 2016 following Tesla’s acquisition of Solar City. Marketed as a more aesthetically pleasing solution for homeowners who wish to get the benefits of a photovoltaic system without committing to traditional rooftop solar panels, the Solar Roof tiles were intended by Tesla to be a revolutionary product, much like its electric vehicle line. Unfortunately, the Solar Roof saw multiple delays, and up until today, only a few installations of the rooftop system have been completed.
So notable was the delay in the Solar Roof rollout that the company’s critics actually began claiming that the product will never be produced. Reports of a Gigafactory 2 in Buffalo that was allegedly not being used to its full potential did not help the company’s narrative. Tesla, for its part, stood firm, with Elon Musk explaining that the Solar Roof tiles are taking longer than usual to release due to the product’s long development cycle. If last Friday was any indication, it appears that Elon Musk’s statements about the Solar Roof tiles were actually true, and the company was only ensuring that the shingles were fully ready before they were ramped.
Solar Roof V3 (or Solarglass, as Musk calls it), is the culmination of all the waiting and refinement that the company has performed on its flagship rooftop solar product. This time around, the solar tiles are bigger at 45″ long by 15″ wide, far larger than the 14″ long by 9″ wide tiles of the first generation producr. This larger size comes with several benefits, including lower cost of production and increased power density, and easier installation. The number of parts in the Solar Roof itself has been reduced due to the larger tiles as well, making the system less prone to potential faults.
These improvements are all centered on one concept: efficiency. While the first iteration of the Solar Roof unveiled by Tesla in 2016 was all about the tiles’ appearance, V3 is all about appearance and practicality. Since they’re larger, employees at Gigafactory 2 in Buffalo, NY will be able to manufacture them at a faster rate. Installers will also have a far easier time fitting the tiles into customers’ homes. These advantages have the potential to allow Tesla to ramp its Solar Roof V3 installations quickly.
Ultimately, these improvements to the Solar Roof would not have been made possible with a brash leader at the helm. Elon Musk is known as a CEO that is bold and prone to taking risks, yet with the Solar Roof, he appears to have adopted a far more cautious approach, something that seems to be the right decision considering the potential of the product. The Solar Roof is the solar product that will set Tesla apart from competitors, and the company would be unwise to release a version of the tiles that could not be ramped easily. After all, Tesla Energy has the potential to be a huge business for the Silicon Valley-based company, as noted by Elon Musk during the Q3 2019 earnings call.
“In the long term, I expect Tesla Energy to be of the same or roughly the same size as Tesla’s automotive sector or business. This is the most underappreciated group. I think it could be bigger, but it’s certainly of a similar magnitude to Tesla Solar. Meaning, if you take Tesla Solar plus battery stuff, Tesla Energy is, I think, the least appreciated element,” Musk said.
Energy
Tesla Energy gains UK license to sell electricity to homes and businesses
The license was granted to Tesla Energy Ventures Ltd. by UK energy regulator Ofgem after a seven-month review process.
Tesla Energy has received a license to supply electricity in the United Kingdom, opening the door for the company to serve homes and businesses in the country.
The license was granted to Tesla Energy Ventures Ltd. by UK energy regulator Ofgem after a seven-month review process.
According to Ofgem, the license took effect at 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday and applies to Great Britain.
The approval allows Tesla’s energy business to sell electricity directly to customers in the region, as noted in a Bloomberg News report.
Tesla has already expanded similar services in the United States. In Texas, the company offers electricity plans that allow Tesla owners to charge their vehicles at a lower cost while also feeding excess electricity back into the grid.
Tesla already has a sizable presence in the UK market. According to price comparison website U-switch, there are more than 250,000 Tesla electric vehicles in the country and thousands of Tesla home energy storage systems.
Ofgem also noted that Tesla Motors Ltd., a separate entity incorporated in England and Wales, received an electricity generation license in June 2020.
The new UK license arrives as Tesla continues expanding its global energy business.
Last year, Tesla Energy retained the top position in the global battery energy storage system (BESS) integrator market for the second consecutive year. According to Wood Mackenzie’s latest rankings, Tesla held about 15% of global market share in 2024.
The company also maintained a dominant position in North America, where it captured roughly 39% market share in the region.
At the same time, competition in the energy storage sector is increasing. Chinese companies such as Sungrow have been expanding their presence globally, particularly in Europe.
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.
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