US Solar & Storage Manufacturers Flood DC To Highlight Global Leadership & Jobs
Qcells solar factory in Georgia, USA. Image credit: Qcells
May 25, 20262 hours
Zachary Shahan
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Something most people still don’t know is that the US solar power and storage industry has gotten quite large. The US solar industry employs about 280,000 people. The energy storage industry employs another 80,000 or so. These are a significant economic engine for the United States. However, they could be much bigger and providing many more jobs.
With the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and its connection to rising energy prices, representatives of the solar power and energy storage industry went to Washington the other day to try to remind policymakers how useful cheap, clean, home-collected energy can be. At the event, solar and storage manufacturers showcased “technologies from across the solar and storage supply chain, including solar wafers, cells, and modules, inverters, battery cells and packs, racking systems, and solar pile drivers,” the Solar Energy Industries Association shares.
“Today, American solar and storage manufacturing giants are gathering on Capitol Hill for the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) American Solar and Storage Manufacturing Expo. Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the event spotlights the historic progress the industry has made to invest in domestic capacity across every level of the supply chain and the important role American-made solar and storage play in strengthening our nation’s energy security,” SEIA wrote last Monday.
“The United States is now a global leader in solar and storage manufacturing. The U.S. ranks third in the world for solar panel manufacturing and second for energy storage system manufacturing. As of last year, the country can manufacture every major component of the solar supply chain domestically.”
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 put a strong focus on bringing manufacturing back to the United States, particularly in cleantech sectors. It led to the biggest manufacturing resurgence we’ve seen in over 100 years.
“Since 2022, the U.S. solar and storage industry has announced more than $43.1 billion in manufacturing investments across more than 40 states. Those investments support tens of thousands of American jobs to rebuild our domestic energy supply chains. Today, U.S. solar module manufacturing capacity totals 70 gigawatts annually, enough to meet domestic demand.” $43.1 billion! Across more than 40 states! That’s some serious investment and economic activity. Also, as noted, #2 globally for energy storage production and #3 for solar panel production are notable achievements. Of course, we don’t come close to China in this regard, but if we want to benefit from the fastest growing industries in the world, we have to try.
“American-made solar and storage are strengthening our energy security at a critical moment for the country,” said Darren Van’t Hof, SEIA’s interim president and CEO. “As global instability underscores the need for reliable, homegrown energy, dozens of manufacturers are investing billions in American factories, workers, and supply chains. These investments are helping meet rising electricity demand with affordable and reliable energy technologies made in the United States.”
“The growth of American solar manufacturing is strengthening our energy economy and reinforcing the importance of reliable domestic supply chains,” said Phillip Vyhanek, CEO of GameChange Solar. “As electricity demand continues to rise, investments in U.S.-made solar and storage technologies are helping deliver affordable, dependable energy while supporting American jobs, manufacturing, and long-term energy security.”
“America’s energy security depends on strong domestic supply chains and the ability to build energy infrastructure at scale,” said Dan Shugar, founder and CEO of Nextpower. “Our network of more than 30 U.S. manufacturing facilities supports American jobs, strengthens domestic energy production, and helps reduce supply chain risk. As electricity demand accelerates, solar and storage are essential to delivering reliable, low-cost power. Stable policy, predictable permitting, and continued support for domestic manufacturing are critical to maintaining America’s energy leadership.”
The quotes go on from other companies, but you get the point. Or you should by now.
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