Tesla, apparently not content with its existing collection of massive factories, has decided to build yet another one. This time, it's a solar panel factory located 45 minutes southwest of Houston, Texas, according to documents filed with the state. The project, aptly named Project Crystal Sun, could cost a whopping $10.1 billion. Tesla has graciously applied for tax incentives to offset some of that cost, while ominously noting it's exploring other sites 'across multiple U.S. states.' If built, the factory would create about 9,700 full-time jobs, which is nice. Without incentives, Tesla's accountants estimate the property tax bill would be around $1.1 billion over 37 years. Because who doesn't want to pay $1.1 billion in taxes?

The plan is to break ground this year and finish by 2028, with the first solar panels rolling off the line in 2029. Tesla hasn't specified whether these panels are for earthly use or for space, but given that CEO Elon Musk also runs SpaceX and is famously bullish on orbital data centers, we wouldn't be surprised if they end up powering a server farm in low Earth orbit. The filings don't disclose the factory's annual output, but Tesla has previously stated it aims to build 100 gigawatts of manufacturing capacity in the U.S. by 2028. So, you know, just a modest goal.