SEC Investigates Whistleblower Claims Tesla Hid Solar Panel Defects From the Public

Former Tesla field quality manager Steven Henkes filed a whistleblower complaint on the solar systems in 2019. Henkes said Tesla failed to properly notify its shareholders and the public of fire risks associated with solar panel system defects over several years.

Concerns about fires from Tesla solar systems have been published previously, but this is the first report of investigation by the securities regulator.

The inquiry raises regulatory pressure on the world’s most valuable automaker, which already faces a federal safety investigation into accidents involving its driver assistant systems. Tesla shares fell 5.5 at $960.25 on Monday after the Reuters report.

Tesla did not reply to Reuters’ emailed questions and said it would not comment to the reporter’s request to provide its response to the report. The SEC said the letter should not be taken as an indication by the agency that violations of law had occurred. 

Exclusive: SEC probes Tesla over whistleblower claims on solar panel defects

The U.S. securities regulator has opened an investigation into Tesla Inc over a whistleblower complaint that the company failed to properly notify its shareholders and the public of fire risks associated with solar panel system defects over several years, according to a letter from the agency.

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Walmart sues Tesla after it says solar panels caught fire on store roofs

Walmart is suing Tesla for breach of contract after its solar panels allegedly ignited fires on the roofs of Walmart stores, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in the state of New York.

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Tesla’s solar panels reportedly caught fire at an Amazon warehouse (updated) | Engadget

Walmart recently filed a lawsuit against Tesla after its solar panel installations on seven of the retail giant’s stores caught fire.

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