In case you missed it: Five big solar stories in the news this week
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Sinovoltaics updates North American solar module manufacturing map
The latest North American manufacturing hub report from Sinovoltaics maps current and planned capacity for 95 plants in the region’s PV module supply chain. The report tracks announcements of current and future capacities at plants producing PV modules, cells, wafers, ingots, polysilicon, and metallurgical-grade silicon.
Origami Solar sets up regional fabrication of steel solar panel frames
Partnerships with steel equipment producers in Ohio and two locations in Texas will enable Origami to have its steel solar module frames shipped from fabricator to module manufacturer in one to two days, the company says.
Nextracker acquires solar foundation specialist Ojjo for $119 million
Ojjo makes a unique truss system that reportedly uses half the steel of a conventional foundation and a design that minimizes grading requirements.
Sunrise brief: Final guidance released on IRA’s prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements
Also on the rise: U.S. grid-scale storage grows 84%, residential storage 48%. Planted Solar reports doubled energy per acre with terrain-following array. And more.
Nextracker expands U.S. manufacturing with Unimacts
Owned by Unimacts and located near Las Vegas, this factory will produce steel components exclusively for Nextracker, bringing the tracker specialist’s annual domestic solar tracker capacity to over 30 GW.
Sunrise brief: Titan Solar latest in residential solar business closures
Also on the rise: Reshore solar manufacturing but don’t stall construction with tariffs, suggests union official. Princeton NuEnergy scores $30 million in funding for lithium battery recycling. And more.
Reshore solar manufacturing but don’t stall construction with tariffs, suggests union official
A leader of a union whose members work in construction and maintenance said the union supported a moratorium on tariffs on certain imported solar panels, as domestic panel output increases, to preserve opportunities in solar construction and installation.
Sunrise brief: A new federal transmission rule won’t help renewables projects anytime soon
Also on the rise: The IRA effect on domestic supply chain. Solar carport to provide 100% electricity needs for Los Angeles Six Flags. And more.
No ceiling on U.S. glass opportunity
With PV module capacity ramping up, glass suppliers have been investing in new solar glass production capacity. As in India and China, new facilities are popping up in North America, with unique twists to ensure competitiveness, such as using recycled material.
