SEC investigating Tesla over claims it hid solar panel fire risks

Whistleblower's complaint led to disclosure of the review of charges the company failed to inform shareholders of defects

The US securities regulator has opened an investigation into Tesla over a whistleblower complaint that the company failed to properly notify its shareholders and the public of fire risks associated with solar panel system defects over several years, according to a letter from the agency.

The inquiry raises regulatory pressure on the world's most valuable automaker, which already faces a federal safety investigation into accidents involving its driver assistant systems. Concerns about fires from Tesla solar systems have been published previously, but this is the first report of investigation by the securities regulator.