DOE to help improve U.S. solar manufacturing with $45 million investment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $45 million to help promote pilot programs that focus on the manufacturing of solar components. The project, which is partially funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is designed to help support the domestic solar manufacturing sector. According to the agency, the money will also be used to help pioneer dual-use solar technologies such as agrivoltaics and building-integrated photovoltaics. Dual-use PV occurs when panels serve an additional purpose besides generating electricity.

In a recent quote, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said, "President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has led to a surge of solar manufacturing announcements and has created thousands of good paying, union jobs in solar deployment. With these innovative, made-in-America technologies, the Biden-Harris Administration is powering the clean energy transition, lowering electricity costs for hardworking Americans, and protecting the future for our children from the impacts of the climate crisis.”