Tesla Plans $10 Billion Solar Factory in Texas to Boost U.S. Production

Tesla has filed documents with the state of Texas outlining plans to construct a massive solar panel manufacturing facility 45 minutes southwest of Houston. The project, dubbed Project Crystal Sun, could cost up to $10.1 billion, with the company seeking tax incentives to offset expenses. Without incentives, property tax liabilities over 37 years would reach $1.1 billion. The factory aims to create approximately 9,700 full-time jobs and is projected to break ground this year, with completion expected by 2028. Initial solar panel production could begin in 2029, though Tesla has not specified whether the panels will be used for terrestrial installations or satellite applications. The company plans to achieve 100 gigawatts of manufacturing capacity in the U.S. by 2028. While the project’s annual output remains undisclosed, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, who also leads SpaceX, has expressed strong interest in orbital data centers. The announcement highlights Tesla’s expanding renewable energy initiatives and its strategic focus on domestic manufacturing.