The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office released a white paper that outlines pathways to a robust domestic supply chain for solar photovoltaic technologies.
Solar Energy Technologies Office
April 24, 2023
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) released a white paper that outlines pathways to a robust domestic supply chain for solar photovoltaic technologies.
Building a Bridge to a More Robust, Secure Solar Energy Supply Chain reviews the type and scale of solar supply chain disruption risks, potential options for a domestic supply chain, and key considerations to enable a resilient and reliable supply chain. The supply chain could grow to as many as 100,000 new jobs and generate $20-40 billion in investment.
According to DOE research, a resilient and reliable supply chain is geographically and technologically diverse, financially sound, and adaptable to changes in technology and demand. The report identifies three exemplary scenarios that can achieve these goals:
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Majority domestic production across all required supply chain segments for mature solar technologies (e.g., crystalline silicon and cadmium telluride).
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A blend of domestic sourcing with diversified imports of mature technologies, including broader international production and collaboration for key supply segments.
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Transition to new solar conversion technologies based on thin films and tandem structures.
Establishing a resilient supply chain is essential for the United States to meet its climate goals and deploy an average of 40 gigawatts direct current (GWdc) of solar generation per year through 2025 and ramp up to 100 GWdc per year by 2030.
Additional Information
- Learn more about SETO’s solar manufacturing and competitiveness research.
- View the office’s map of active U.S. solar photovoltaic manufacturing sites.
- Read the DOE Solar Photovoltaics Supply Chain Review.
- Learn about SETO’s current and former funding programs.