Tesla, Panasonic Agree to Make Solar Silicon Photovoltaic Cells in Buffalo

by Jeff Yoders on DECEMBER 27, 2016

Japanese electronics company Panasonic and U.S. electric car maker Tesla said today they plan to begin production of solar cells at a factory in Buffalo, New York.

The two companies said they finalized an agreement calling for Tokyo-based Panasonic to pay capital costs for the manufacturing. Palo Alto, California-based Tesla made a “long-term purchase commitment” to Panasonic.

Their statement gave no financial figures. The factory in Buffalo is under development by SolarCity Corp., a San Mateo, California-based solar panel company owned by Tesla. The photovoltaic cells and modules will be used in solar panels for non-solar roof products and solar glass tile roofs that Tesla plans to begin making, the announcement said.

LME Names New Clearing Executive

The London Metal Exchange has appointed James Proudlock as deputy chief executive of its clearing system, the exchange said last week.

Proudlock, who has 30 years experience in commodities, will join LME Clear in April next year.”Prior to joining LME Clear, James worked at JP Morgan Securities for 10 years where he was a managing director and commodity product lead for Futures and Options and most recently markets execution,” the LME said.