Greetings solar energy enthusiasts, and welcome back to my blog. As a solar expert constantly keeping an eye on the latest trends and innovations in our industry, I have some pretty exciting news to share today. A recent report by Origami Solar and Wood Mackenzie highlights a transformative solution – shifting the focus from aluminum to recycled steel frames in the production of solar panels.
You may ask, why steel? Firstly, the shift could drastically alleviate the U.S. solar industry’s dependence on imports, particularly those coming from Asia. As individuals and communities are looking to install solar panels for their homes, it’s more important than ever to consider the sourcing and production of these panels. Our solar industry could achieve a more sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective production line by using steel frames, which would directly impact solar companies and customers alike.
Despite the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) strides in incentivizing solar adoption, the solar array for home sector might be outpacing the available American-made solar component supply. The IRA is focused on building up domestic production but perhaps missed an opportunity to advocate a shift away from carbon-intensive aluminum frames and toward green, recycled steel frames.
This limitation exposes the reliance of solar companies on foreign imports for much of their supply chain needs. Primely, aluminum frames, are largely imported from East and Southeast Asia. This is where the steel frames could offer a game-changer.
Recycled steel frames not only make solar panel units more cost-effective, they also improve performance while driving down greenhouse gas emissions by an astounding 93%. Imagine every solar array installed for homes across the country contributing to a significant reduction in GHGs – how’s that for a win-win!
The steel industry is a well-established American sector capable of meeting the demand for domestic solar panel production. The report contends that the aluminum frame accounts for over 13% of the cost of a specific Chinese-made module. Contrastingly, the U.S. steel industry is prepared to supply lower carbon intensive, affordable, and reliable frames. This is a significant gain for solar companies who can pass on the cost benefits to consumers wanting to switch to solar.
As sustainability and energy independence remain top priorities, domestic solutions like these can alleviate worries over supply chain disruptions, cost volatilities, and dependence on foreign imports. Tracker and racking system manufacturers have set the precedent, using domestic steel to their advantage, demonstrating an overall readiness to supply U.S. module producers.
In wrapping up, steel, as a domestic alternative to aluminum in solar panel framing, is not only a more sustainable approach, but can also provide an economically viable and reliable solution that is straightforward to implement. So, if you’re looking to install solar panels for your home, remember to consider not just the popularity or pricing options of solar companies, but also their commitment to sustainability and local sourcing.
Do drop me your thoughts, inquiries, or ideas in the comments. As always, let’s keep pushing solar forward for a cleaner, brighter future. Until next time, stay energized!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/04/26/ira-should-incentivize-steel-solar-frames-says-report/
