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Tesla Explores Major China Solar Equipment Deal

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Tesla is in talks to buy about $2.9 billion worth of solar manufacturing equipment from Chinese suppliers as it pushes to build a large-scale solar production base in the United States.

The discussions involve equipment for making solar panels and cells, with Chinese firms seen as key candidates because of their strong position in global solar machinery. Some of the equipment may require export approval from Chinese authorities before shipment.

The reported move supports Elon Musk’s goal of building 100 gigawatts of solar manufacturing capacity in the U.S. by the end of 2028. Most of that capacity is expected to support Tesla’s own energy needs, while part of it could also be used for SpaceX-related operations.

The potential order also highlights the complexity of reducing U.S. dependence on China, as American clean energy expansion still relies heavily on Chinese industrial equipment. Even with tariffs in place on many solar imports, manufacturing machinery remains difficult to source elsewhere at scale.

If completed, the deal would represent a major boost for Chinese solar equipment makers while strengthening Tesla’s position in U.S. solar manufacturing during a period of rising electricity demand driven by data centers and industrial growth.

South Korea’s Qcells Cuts Pay and Hours for Georgia Workers Amid U.S. Customs Delays

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South Korean solar manufacturer Qcells is cutting pay and working hours for about 1,000 employees at its Georgia plants, citing a shortage of imported materials detained by U.S. customs officials. The company will also lay off 300 temporary workers, it said on Friday.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has been holding shipments of solar panel components over concerns that they may contain materials made with forced labor in China. The detentions are part of stepped-up enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which restricts goods linked to China’s Xinjiang region.

Qcells — a subsidiary of Hanwha Solutions — says none of its materials come from China and that it maintains robust supply chain audits and third-party documentation proving compliance. “Our latest supply chain is sourced completely outside of China,” said company spokesperson Marta Stoepker, adding that some detained shipments have already been released.

With production still slowed at its Dalton and Cartersville facilities, Qcells said the temporary cuts were necessary “to improve operational efficiency until production capacity returns to normal.” Employees will keep their benefits during the reduced schedule.

Despite the disruption, Qcells reaffirmed its commitment to expanding U.S. manufacturing. The company is completing a $2.3 billion solar plant in Cartersville, designed to produce solar ingots, wafers, and cells from polysilicon refined in Washington state — a move aimed at reducing reliance on imports.

“Our commitment to building the entire solar supply chain in the United States remains,” Stoepker said. “We will soon be back on track with the full force of our Georgia team delivering American-made energy.”

US Wind and Solar Still Have Room to Grow for Data Centers, Microsoft VP Says

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At the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston on Wednesday, Bobby Hollis, Vice President of Energy at Microsoft, shared his insights on the significant potential for growth in U.S. wind and solar energy development, especially in powering the growing demand for data centers. According to Hollis, the Midwest wind corridor and the sunny southwest remain key areas with substantial untapped opportunities for renewable energy production.

The rapid expansion of data centers driven by Big Tech companies, fueled by AI and cloud technologies, has dramatically increased power consumption, raising concerns about the sustainability of relying on renewable energy sources. As these energy-intensive centers continue to proliferate, there are mounting questions about whether they will rely more on carbon-free renewable energy or switch to gas-fired power.

“We still think there is a very long road ahead that keeps renewables an important part of the mix in the places where that makes sense,” Hollis emphasized. Despite challenges, Microsoft remains committed to expanding its use of renewable energy to power its data centers. The company has pledged to become carbon negative by 2030 and is investing a staggering $80 billion this year alone in data center expansion. This massive investment will require vast amounts of electricity, which Microsoft plans to source sustainably, despite the intermittency of solar and wind power.

Since solar and wind are intermittent energy sources, only producing power when conditions are favorable, data centers, which require constant electricity, face significant challenges. To address this, natural gas, a reliable 24/7 power source, has become an increasingly attractive option, despite its associated carbon emissions. Hollis noted, “Let’s add more gas when it’s necessary. Before we ever get to that place, let’s make sure that we’ve added the renewables.”

The Midwest, with its consistent and strong winds, and the sunny southeastern U.S. are identified as regions with great potential for expanding renewable energy infrastructure to meet the needs of data centers. Microsoft’s global renewable power procurement already exceeds 30 gigawatts, underscoring its commitment to driving the transition to cleaner energy sources.