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Green technology

Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act: A Boost for Domestic Clean Energy Jobs

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia), aims to rapidly boost American solar manufacturing, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and support American energy independence. The legislation provides tax credits to the solar manufacturing industry at every stage of the supply chain, incentivizing domestic production necessary for producing solar energy technologies. Demand for solar energy is skyrocketing as the world transitions away from fossil fuels, but China dominates the solar supply chain. Senator Ossoff's legislation seeks to create tens of thousands of American solar jobs, better compete with Chinese manufacturers, and support American energy independence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act provides tax credits to American manufacturers at every stage of the solar manufacturing supply chain, from production of polysilicon to solar cells to fully assembled solar modules.
  • The legislation aims to create tens of thousands of American solar jobs, based on analysis and estimates from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
  • Over a dozen solar industry leaders and groups praised the bill and thanked Senator Ossoff for his leadership, with many companies expressing their commitment to working with the senator to pass the legislation.
  • The Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Act will support hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs, bolster national security, and bolster technological leadership.
  • Companies such as Hanwha Q CELLS, LG Electronics, SolAmerica Energy, and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have expressed support for the legislation, citing its potential to boost domestic solar manufacturing and create good-paying jobs in the industry.
  • The legislation has been praised for its consideration of the entire solar manufacturing value chain, with companies like First Solar, Sunnova Energy International Inc., and 1366 Technologies highlighting its potential to attract private sector investment and create quality American jobs.
  • The bill aims to achieve a target of 50 gigawatts of annual domestic solar production capacity by 2030.

Statistics:

  • Tens of thousands of American solar jobs will be created, based on analysis and estimates from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
  • The legislation aims to support hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs.
  • $2.5 billion will be invested in a 10-year project to build a 20 MW pilot and a 1 GW single-crystal silicon wafer factory.
  • Over $10 billion in capital investment and thousands of high-skilled, high-wage jobs will be supported in the U.S. polysilicon industry.
  • 50 gigawatts of annual domestic solar production capacity will be achieved by 2030, according to SEIA's target.

Sources:

  • [www.ossoff.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/21.06.21_SEMA.pdf](www.ossoff.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/21.06.21_SEMA.pdf)
  • [www.ossoff.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/21.06.21_Solar-bill-one-pager-3.pdf](www.ossoff.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/21.06.21_Solar-bill-one-pager-3.pdf)

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