The United States has achieved a significant milestone in solar energy by surpassing 50 gigawatts (GW) of domestic solar module production capacity.
This level of production, when fully operational, is sufficient to meet the entire demand for solar energy in the country. It represents a crucial step in establishing a self-sufficient solar supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and bolstering American manufacturing jobs.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) Supply Chain Dashboard, the industry has announced plans for expansion, with 56 GW of new solar cell production, 24 GW of wafer production, and 13 GW of ingot production. In addition, solar tracker manufacturing capacity now surpasses 80 GW. These developments illustrate a rapid acceleration in U.S. solar manufacturing, positioning the nation as a global leader in clean energy production.
SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper has emphasized the importance of supportive policies in achieving this milestone. She highlighted that strategic government policies have enabled the U.S. to become the third-largest producer of solar modules worldwide. This achievement not only marks significant progress for the solar sector but also underscores the broader impact of energy policies in strengthening domestic manufacturing and creating economic opportunities for American workers and families.
SEIA initially set the ambitious goal of reaching 50 GW of U.S. solar manufacturing capacity by 2030, a figure equivalent to the power output of 27 Hoover Dams. This target encompassed the entire solar supply chain, including modules, cells, ingots, wafers, polysilicon, trackers, and inverters. In 2020, domestic module manufacturing capacity stood at just 7 GW, with limited polysilicon, inverter, and racking production, and no domestic manufacturing of critical upstream inputs. The dramatic increase in production capacity in just a few years highlights the success of a strategic approach to expanding the U.S. solar supply chain.
A key factor in achieving this milestone has been SEIA’s emphasis on sequencing the development of the solar manufacturing ecosystem. By prioritizing downstream components such as modules, SEIA ensured strong demand for upstream manufacturing investments. As a result, new solar cell factories have recently begun operations in Georgia and South Carolina, marking an essential step in securing the entire solar supply chain within the United States.
The realization of this goal has been driven by critical policy incentives championed by SEIA. Advocacy efforts led to the implementation of the advanced manufacturing production tax credit and incentives for solar projects using domestically produced components. Further reinforcing the industry’s growth, SEIA successfully lobbied for solar ingot and wafer production to qualify for a 25 percent investment tax credit under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. These policy measures have provided a strong financial foundation for the industry’s rapid expansion.
The passage of key federal energy policies has led to a five-fold increase in solar module manufacturing in the United States. This unprecedented growth has propelled the country to the position of the world’s third-largest solar module producer, demonstrating the power of coordinated industry efforts and government support in driving the clean energy transition.