Tesla's Solar Business Is Falling Apart

In Q4 2018, Tesla once again reported declining solar installations. Its residential solar business has been shrinking alarmingly since a peak in 2016.

Tesla's solar business is based around its SolarCity subsidiary. SolarCity has seen extensive employment cuts and facility closures since it was acquired in 2016.

Gigafactory 2 in Buffalo, NY, which builds Tesla's solar systems, was financed by $750 million in taxpayer grants. Tesla agreed to employ 1,460 workers there by 2020.

As cuts continue to Tesla's solar business, the prospect of meeting employment prospects look scarce. This has prompted fresh political backlash, backed by harsh reports from former employees.

With no Solar Roof or other differentiated product, Tesla's solar segment is set to languish. As it comes apart, so too will a key piece of the company's growth narrative.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4238998-teslas-solar-business-falling-apart