Giga Berlin Under Siege, Germans Open Probe, Tesla Should Use Solar Roofs and Megapacks To Avoid Next Attack

Tesla's Giga Berlin factory, still reeling from a recent arson attack, faces a production halt extending well into next week, Tesla told German publication Build. The initial estimates for a quick restart have been dashed by the complexity of repairing the damaged power lines. This extended downtime slams the brakes on car production and sends shockwaves through Tesla's bottom line.

German authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their investigation. The Frankfurt an der Oder public prosecutor's office, led by spokesperson Carola Ochs, has opened a wide-ranging probe into the attack, including potential charges of infrastructure sabotage, DW reports. This move underscores the seriousness of the incident and its impact on the local community.

Plant manager André Thierig estimates the economic damage to be in the "high nine-figure" euro range, translating to hundreds of millions. While Tesla can't produce or sell cars, critical repairs continue, pushing costs ever higher.

The attack on Giga Berlin's power supply exposes a critical vulnerability: its reliance on the external grid. This incident reignites the discussion of Tesla achieving greater energy independence at Giga Berlin.

Could Solar and Megapacks be the Answer?

I think Tesla should leverage its expertise in solar panels and Megapack battery storage to become as energy-autonomous as possible. This self-reliance could be a game-changer, mitigating the impact of future disruptions to the external grid.

Tesla Giga Berlin's vast rooftop space and surrounding parking lots present ideal locations for a massive solar panel installation. In 2020 Tesla did make a presentation to cover Giga Berlin's rooftop with solar panels, but perhaps now they need to go beyond and use the space's maximum capacity. Coupled with a robust Megapack battery system, Giga Berlin could significantly reduce its dependence on the external grid. The added benefit? Shielding the factory from similar attacks in the future.

The audacity of the recent attack raises concerns that this may not be an isolated incident. By achieving greater energy independence, Tesla could not only minimize the financial blow of such acts but also ensure uninterrupted production, a critical factor in today's competitive electric vehicle market.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.