Full Title: U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing
Author(s): Manpreet Singh
Publisher(s): Congressional Research Service
Publication Date: May 5, 2022
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems accounted for the highest proportion of new electric power
generation capacity in the United States in 2021. Domestic solar power generation has increased
over the past decade, enabled by technological advances, government support, state–level policies
mandating use of electricity from renewable sources, and improved cost–competitiveness relative
to electricity generation from fossil fuels.
This report looks at the domestic solar PV manufacturing industry and the downstream value
chain for solar power installations. It considers whether market shifts, including new product
architectures, improved packaging designs, integration of energy storage into solar systems, and
recycling or reuse of components, may create new opportunities for manufacturing in the United
States. It also evaluates the extent to which international trade policies enacted over the last
decade have impacted each stage of the domestic solar manufacturing industry.