Tesla says it has hired more workers than required under a deal with New York state. To reach its goal, the company has started making more than just solar roofs at its Gigafactory 2 in South Buffalo.
As part of the state's $750 million investment in Tesla's factory at Riverbend on South Park Avenue, the company agreed to employ 500 people by the end of April.
In a letter to Empire State Development Tesla says it exceeded its one-year job requirement and the factory now has 730 full-time employees. But 400 of them are employed by Panasonic, which produces the cells that go into making Tesla's Solar Roof.
So far, though, sales have been weak. According to Reuters, Panasonic is selling most of its solar cells made in Buffalo overseas, not to Tesla.
The company's report to the state goes on to say that its Riverbend facility is now manufacturing superchargers for Tesla's electric vehicles and several other lines for Tesla's energy storage business.
The company continues to expand its electric vehicle charging network across New York and new vehicle service centers will be opening in Buffalo, Rochester and Albany to serve Tesla owners.
In a written response, Empire State Development says it is "pleased that Tesla reports exceeding its job and investment commitments" and will be working to verify the data in the coming weeks.
Under the deal, if the goal is not met, the state could penalize Tesla more than $41 million.