Hello there solar enthusiasts and those interested in the green energy revolution! I’m here with some novel insights about the U.S. solar industry. With continuous efforts to develop a domestic solar supply chain, the U.S. is making strides toward not only creating more domestic jobs and stimulating local economies but also promoting national security interests.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a cornerstone policy for bringing solar manufacturing home, offers a series of production tax credits for manufacturers and investment tax credits for those who use domestic content in their projects. This has led to a flurry of investment and interest from major global solar companies.
But, it’s not all smooth sailing. The policy’s impact has predominantly been felt mainly in the final stages of the solar supply chain. This is noteworthy for anyone looking to install solar panels for their home. It’s crucial to understand how our solar arrays for home are created.
To give you a nutshell, solar modules (commonly referred to as solar panels) are the product of an intricate supply chain. It begins with mining and refining raw polysilicon into large blocks known as ingots. These ingots are then sliced into wafers, which are ultimately manufactured into cells. The cells are assembled into a solar panel.
While the U.S. enjoys a booming module assembly capacity, it lacks the capability to domestically supply the earlier stages of the solar supply chain. Major players like China currently dominate this sector.
The U.S. government is pushing to bridge this gap, with updated rules that encourage more U.S. solar cell manufacturing. However, the big question remains: Can the U.S. compete with the established ecosystems in countries like China, where raw materials can be sourced and refined more cost-effectively?
The solar industry is indeed facing an uphill challenge with its aim to establish a fully functioning, independent solar supply chain. But the country is not backing down. Recently, the U.S. put a pause on antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) tariffs, set to end this June, and imposed greater tariffs on solar components entering from China.
Additionally, the government announced $71 million in funding through the Department of Energy for research and development projects that will help plug the early gaps in the solar supply chain.
What does this mean for you as home-owners considering solar panels for your home? As the solar industry continues to evolve, navigating the options for installing a solar array for home becomes increasingly complex. It is crucial to stay informed about the significant shifts and advancements in solar panel manufacturing to make the most informed and sustainable decisions about your home’s solar potential.
Certainly, the road toward a fully independent domestic solar supply chain has its twists and turns. But with continued focus, investment, and innovation, the solar industry remains a beacon of hope for a more sustainable, energy-efficient future. All eyes are on what the future holds for the U.S. solar industry and how this will shape the offerings from solar companies and the choices available for homeowners across the country. Stay tuned for more updates! Until then, may the solar force be with all of us!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/17/the-u-s-multi-pronged-approach-to-onshoring-solar-manufacturing/
