Full Title: Solar Photovoltaics: Supply Chain Deep Dive Assessment
Author(s): Paul Basore and David Feldman
Publisher(s): US Department of Energy
Publication Date: February 24, 2022
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Over the past decade, solar power has gone from an emerging, niche technology to a mature energy industry. By 2035, solar power could supply 40% or more of U.S. electricity demand, dramatically accelerating the decarbonization of buildings, transportation, and industry; and, if current technology trends continue, it could do so without increasing the price of electricity.
The rapid expansion of solar energy has the potential to yield broad benefits in the form of economic activity and workforce development. The solar industry already employs roughly 230,000 people in the United States, at an average wage that is higher than the national average for most comparable positions. By decarbonizing the electricity sector by 2035, the U.S. solar industry could employ 500,000–1,500,000 people by 2030.
Significant financial support and incentives from the U.S. government as well as strategic actions focused on workforce, manufacturing, human rights, and trade will facilitate a global solar industry aligned with U.S. interests and the reestablishment of robust U.S. domestic solar manufacturing leadership –thus leading to tremendous benefits for the climate as well as for U.S. workers, employers, and the economy.