SolarCity

SolarCity was a company that designed, manufactured, financed, and installed solar power systems. Founded in 2006 by brothers Peter and Lyndon Rive, with Elon Musk as chairman, the company aimed to make solar energy more accessible and affordable. It operated primarily in the residential and commercial solar markets in the United States.

The company's business model focused on offering solar power systems through leases or power purchase agreements. This allowed customers to benefit from lower electricity bills without the upfront cost of purchasing a solar system. SolarCity quickly became one of the largest solar installers in the United States.

In 2016, Tesla acquired SolarCity for $2.6 billion. The acquisition integrated SolarCity's solar business with Tesla's electric vehicle and energy storage solutions, forming Tesla Energy. Following the acquisition, SolarCity's operations and brand were largely absorbed into Tesla's broader energy division. The combined entity continues to offer solar panel and solar roof installations, along with battery storage products like the Powerwall. The legacy of SolarCity is in its significant contribution to the growth of the distributed solar market and its role in making solar power a more mainstream energy option.