Exclusive-SEC probes Tesla over whistleblower claims on solar panel defects

FILE PHOTO: The company's logo is seen on the SolarCity building in Denver February 17, 2015. REUTERS/Rick Wilking/File Photo

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. securities regulator has opened an investigation into Tesla Inc 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 probe raises regulatory pressure on the world's most valuable automaker, which already faces a federal safety probe 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.