Biden-Harris Administration Announces $45,000 to Boost Solar Manufacturing

WASHINGTON D.C. – As part of President Biden’s Investing In America agenda, today the U.S. Department of Energy announced $45M, including $18M from the Bipartisan infrastructure law, to support the pilot manufacturing of solar component that can contribute towards a domestic manufacturing industry capable of meeting Administration solar deployment goals, without relying upon imported products. The funding will be used to support the development and implementation of dual-use solar technologies, such as agrivoltaics or building-integrated Photovoltaics. This will create new markets for American made products. The revitalization of the U.S. Manufacturing sector is a key component of President Biden’s economic strategy Bidenomics and is essential to achieve a clean energy tomorrow that benefits all Americans.

“President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda has led to a rush of solar manufacturing announcements, and thousands of union jobs in solar deployment,” stated U.S. Jennifer M. Granholm, Secretary of Energy. The Biden-Harris administration is empowering the clean energy revolution with these innovative technologies made in America, while lowering electricity prices for hardworking Americans and protecting our children’s future from the effects of climate change.

Dual-use PV refers to a PV application in which PV panels are used for a different purpose than just generating electricity. Dual-use technologies like agrivoltaics (agrivoltaics), BIPV (bi-directional infrared photovoltaics), floating PV and vehicle-integrated solar panels create opportunities for developing domestically-made products that can expand PV markets as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dual-use PV can minimize land-use concerns by integrating solar energy into existing landscapes.

Since the Biden-Harris Administration began, there have been 63 announcements of domestic manufacturing across the solar supply chains. Of these, more than 40 have been made since August 2022. According to a recent DOE study, the domestic production of solar module components is essential for achieving a cleaner grid. The establishment of a diverse group of solar manufacturers within the United States will create jobs, stimulate economic activity and improve workforce capability and technical expertise.

The Silicon Solar Manufacturing and Dual-Use Photovoltaics Incubator will:

• Up to 12 projects can be funded to establish a domestic network of solar manufacturers focused on polysilicon, silicon ingots, wafers, modules, solar cells, and glass.
• Fund projects that aim to open up new markets for emerging dual-use PV segments, namely agrivoltaics and building-integrated, floating, or vehicle-integrated solar.
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  By using dual-use technology, create opportunities for the development of domestically produced products that can expand PV markets while reducing greenhouse gas emission.
  
  
  
  
  
  

A webinar with information will take place on the 12th of July at 4 pm. ET. Concept papers must be submitted by 5 pm ET on September 27, 2023.

Bidenomics and President Biden’s Investing in America strategy are growing the American economy bottom-up and from the middle. This includes rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and driving $500 billion in clean energy and manufacturing investments in the United States. It also involves creating well-paying jobs and a clean energy industry that will fight climate change and help our communities become more resilient.

In addition to its commitment to domestic solar manufacturing, DOE recently:

• The company announced its intention to offer a new funding opportunity up to 36 million dollars for research and technology development projects that will advance thin-film technologies such as perovskite or cadmium Telluride (CdTe).
• Funding for solar energy integration into the grid was announced at $52 million, which includes $10 million from the Bipartisan infrastructure law.
• Launched American-Made Solar Prize Round 7 — a $4-million prize program to encourage innovations in U.S. software and hardware technologies.

Find out more about DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, including its research on solar manufacturing.