Summary
Tesla’s first Gigafactory — battery cells and Powerwall on the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center east of Sparks. High-volume Semi production moved to the adjacent Semi Factory Nevada.
Gigafactory Nevada
Bat
PW
Background
Announced in 2014 as a Tesla–Panasonic cell plant in the Nevada desert. Empty sagebrush became the company’s battery hub: 18650/2170 cells, later 4680 work, and Powerwall. Early Semi assembly also started here before the dedicated Semi Factory Nevada building rose just north of campus. Megapack production later moved to Lathrop. From the air the site is a huge rectangular factory with rail, parking, and ongoing energy-side expansion.
Timeline
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Nevada site announced
Tesla and Panasonic pick Storey County for the first Gigafactory.
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Steel and first buildings
The first factory blocks go up on empty desert.
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Grand opening
Official opening; Panasonic cell production is already underway.
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4680 cell work
Tesla starts 4680 development and early production work at Nevada.
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Megapack work shifts
Megapack assembly moves toward Lathrop; Nevada keeps cells and Powerwall. Semi volume later shifts to the dedicated Semi Factory next door.
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First Semi deliveries
First customer Semis leave Gigafactory Nevada (before the dedicated Semi Factory was built).
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Energy expansion visible
“Big energy” build-out shows from the air on Electric Avenue.
Job listings
Open roles at Gigafactory Nevada
US listings for this plant on Tesla Careers.
Timelapse
Yearly construction stills at Gigafactory Nevada
Yearly slideshow from the same satellite stills as Compare — play a year of construction without leaving the page.
Drone flyovers
Aerial clips of Gigafactory Nevada
Curated YouTube clips — newest first. Same campus, different altitude.