Tesla Eyes $2.9 Billion in Chinese Solar Equipment to Power 100 GW U.S. Manufacturing Push

Tesla is in advanced talks to purchase approximately $2.9 billion worth of solar manufacturing equipment from Chinese suppliers, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The acquisition is part of CEO Elon Musk's bold strategy to establish 100 gigawatts of domestic solar panel and cell production capacity on American soil by the end of 2028.

Among the leading candidates to supply the machinery is Suzhou Maxwell Technologies, the world's largest manufacturer of screen-printing equipment used in solar cell production. The company is reportedly seeking export authorization from China's commerce ministry. Additional suppliers under consideration include Shenzhen S.C New Energy Technology and Laplace Renewable Energy Technology. Delivery of the equipment — much of it destined for Texas — has been requested before this autumn.

Musk envisions the solar output primarily serving Tesla's own energy needs, with a portion allocated to power SpaceX satellite operations. He has argued that solar energy has the potential to satisfy the entire electricity demand of the United States, particularly as consumption surges due to the rapid expansion of AI data centers.

The move underscores a persistent challenge in America's push for energy independence — rebuilding domestic manufacturing still relies on sourcing specialized equipment from China. Notably, solar manufacturing machinery was excluded from tariffs under the Biden administration, a policy the Trump administration has since extended.

The initiative stands in sharp contrast to President Trump's pro-fossil fuel energy agenda, which has pulled back federal support for renewable energy projects. Meanwhile, U.S. power consumption reached record highs in 2025 and is projected to keep climbing.

While the scale of Tesla's solar ambitions is extraordinary, Musk has a well-documented history of setting aggressive timelines that frequently face delays. Still, if executed, the project could dramatically reshape America's renewable energy landscape.