Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Tesla Energy Division Achieves $12.8 Billion Revenue with Record Battery Deployments in 2025
Tesla, Inc. reported that its energy division generated $12.8 billion in revenue in 2025, with a record deployment of 46.7 GWh of battery storage. This segment, which includes products like Megapack and Powerwall, is not a standalone stock but part of Tesla's overall operations. The significance of this growth is highlighted by the energy segment's contribution to Tesla's total revenue, increasing from 10% in 2024 to 13% in 2025. Despite a 10% decline in automotive revenue due to competition, the energy division's gross profit reached approximately $3.8 billion, showcasing a robust margin of 29.8%. Looking ahead, Tesla anticipates recognizing $4.96 billion in deferred revenues from energy projects in 2026, indicating strong forward visibility. The energy segment's performance is crucial as it was the only division to achieve both revenue growth and margin expansion in 2025, contributing nearly a quarter of Tesla's total gross profit for the year.
Understanding Tesla Solar: No Separate Stock, Integrated with TSLA and Energy Division
Tesla's solar business, revived in January 2026 with a new 420W panel from Gigafactory New York, operates as a sub-segment within its Energy Generation and Storage division. There is no separate stock ticker for Tesla Solar; investors must purchase TSLA to gain exposure to this segment. The significance of Tesla Solar lies in its integration within the broader Tesla, Inc. framework, which includes automotive and energy segments. Unlike dedicated solar companies such as First Solar and Enphase Energy, Tesla's solar operations are not separately reported, making it challenging for investors seeking pure-play solar exposure. Looking ahead, Tesla's solar product lineup remains streamlined, but the focus has shifted significantly towards energy storage solutions, which have seen substantial growth. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Tesla Discontinues Solar Roof Sales, Focusing on Standard Solar Panels and Energy Storage
Tesla (TSLA) has ceased sales of its Solar Roof tiles, nearly ten years after their introduction by CEO Elon Musk as a modern alternative to traditional solar panels. The company will now focus solely on standard solar panels, as reports indicate that new Solar Roof tiles are no longer being supplied to installers. This decision represents a significant retreat from one of Musk's ambitious clean-energy initiatives. The discontinuation of the Solar Roof is crucial as it reflects Tesla's shift towards a more scalable model centered on conventional solar panels, while still expanding its energy-storage business. Despite the innovative design of the Solar Roof, it has struggled to achieve meaningful scale, with only about 3,000 installations in the U.S., far below Tesla's initial target of 1,000 per week. This move may help alleviate pressure on cash flow and improve manufacturing economics for the company. Looking ahead, Tesla's decision to exit the Solar Roof market could signal a broader lesson for the solar industry: while attractive design is important, the success of solar products ultimately hinges on cost, installation efficiency, and scalability. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
LG Energy to Supply Batteries for Google's Largest Solar and Storage Project
LG Energy has been confirmed to supply batteries for Google's largest solar and energy storage project, marking a significant expansion in energy infrastructure related to the rising power demands of AI data centers. This project, known as the Steel River Energy Center, is a collaboration between Google and Cypress Creek Energy in Arkansas. The initial phase of the project will feature 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar power generation capacity and approximately 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery storage, with plans to expand to 2.5 GW of solar and 2.9 GWh of storage by 2029. LG Energy is expected to provide its JF2 DC Link system, utilizing lithium iron phosphate battery technology, with the order valued at several hundred billion Korean won. As the demand for renewable energy solutions grows, this partnership highlights the increasing importance of energy storage systems in supporting sustainable infrastructure. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Starmind's Satellite Technology Achieves 880 Billion Liters in Annual Water Savings
Starmind has announced that its satellite technology can save approximately 880 billion liters of cooling water annually at full scale. This figure is equivalent to the annual household water use of around 6.5 million Americans. The technology operates by utilizing a closed-loop liquid cooling system that eliminates the need for water during its operational life, contrasting sharply with traditional ground data centers that consume vast amounts of water for cooling. The significance of this achievement lies in the growing water consumption crisis faced by data centers, particularly as AI expansion drives demand. In 2025, U.S. data centers consumed nearly one trillion liters of water, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Starmind's approach not only addresses direct water usage but also avoids indirect water consumption associated with electricity generation, marking a substantial shift in how computing can be conducted in a resource-efficient manner. Looking ahead, Starmind's deployment strategy includes a projected buildout of 100 GW of orbital compute per year, which could displace an additional 735 billion liters of ground water demand annually. The first tranche of 10,000 satellites is already operational, offsetting approximately 8.8 billion liters of water per year. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
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