Walmart Sues Tesla Over Solar-Panel Related Fires

Walmart filed suit against Tesla Energy Operations on Aug. 20, alleging that seven rooftop fires at the retailer’s stores between 2012 and 2018 were the result of problems with solar panels installed by a company now owned by the automaker. Walmart is alleging “years of gross negligence and failure to live up to industry standards by Tesla.” Tesla in 2018 disconnected the panels installed at 244 stores at Walmart’s insistence, but an additional fire occurred. Tesla acquired Solar City, one of the nation’s largest third-part solar developers, in 2016.