Newsletter

Quieres recibir nuestras novedades

GALERIA
Archivo Canva

U.S. reaches 50 GW milestone in solar module manufacturing capacity


The United States has reached a significant achievement in the renewable energy sector, surpassing 50 gigawatts (GW) of domestic solar module manufacturing capacity. This historic milestone marks a crucial step toward securing a self-sufficient, U.S.-based solar supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and providing a boost to American workers.

At full capacity, these newly established solar manufacturing plants are capable of meeting the entire domestic demand for solar energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), companies have also announced plans for the development of 56 GW of new U.S. solar cell production, along with 24 GW of wafer production and 13 GW of ingot production. Additionally, the solar tracker manufacturing capacity now exceeds 80 GW.

SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper praised the milestone, attributing the growth of domestic solar manufacturing to the implementation of smart, business-friendly policies. "The U.S. is now the third largest module producer in the world because of these policy actions," Hopper said. "This milestone reinforces the essential role energy policies play in bolstering the domestic manufacturing industry that American workers rely on."

In 2020, SEIA set a bold target of achieving 50 GW of solar manufacturing capacity by 2030. This goal is significant, as it represents a manufacturing capacity equivalent to the power output from 27 Hoover Dams. SEIA’s vision for a complete solar supply chain includes modules, cells, ingots, wafers, polysilicon, trackers, and inverters.

When SEIA first set this ambitious target, domestic solar module manufacturing capacity stood at just 7 GW, with limited production of polysilicon, inverters, and racking. At that time, there was no domestic manufacturing of many key upstream solar components.

SEIA’s 50 GW goal emphasizes the importance of building a robust and sequenced solar supply chain. By prioritizing the production of downstream components like solar modules, sufficient demand is created for upstream manufacturing, ensuring growth across the entire supply chain. This approach has already led to the successful launch of two domestic solar cell factories in Georgia and South Carolina.

Critical policies to incentivize U.S. solar manufacturing have played a pivotal role in this growth. Key legislative actions, including the advanced manufacturing production tax credit and incentives for solar projects using American-made products, have contributed to the expansion. Furthermore, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (CHIPS) was instrumental in securing a 25% investment tax credit for solar ingot and wafer production.

Since the passage of these transformative policies, solar module manufacturing in the U.S. has grown five-fold, propelling the country into the position of the third-largest solar module producer globally. This achievement underscores the power of strategic policy-making in driving renewable energy innovation and fostering economic growth.

Comentarios

  • Sé el primero en comentar...


Deja tu comentario