According to this study[0], it takes about 116 kWh of input energy to create a 100 kWh battery, given the materials. The majority of the total energy usage is in material production, not battery production. Assuming Tesla is not making their own materials, this deflates the required input energy substantially.
> Assuming Tesla is not making their own materials, this deflates the required input energy substantially.
And also inflates that amount of greenwashing involved...... Why crow over renewable energy when your use of energy is irrelevant relative to your suppliers?
But their statement seems accurate and clear: they will operate the GigaFactory using renewable energy. They don't claim or imply that they will extract the materials using renewable's or that all their suppliers will use renewable's.
They should source their lithium from solar-powered contractors. Maybe even sell them some panels for a good price.
(I realize the brine is already evaporated in the sun, but there's electrical separation after that.)
[0]: http://www.electrochem.org/dl/ma/202/pdfs/0068.PDF