According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the United States has reached a significant milestone in clean energy production, surpassing 50 gigawatts (GW) of solar module manufacturing capacity. “At full capacity, these factories can produce enough to meet all demand for solar in the United States,” the organization claims in a recent press release. This achievement, driven by innovative policies and strategic investments, is not just about sustainability—it’s about jobs, economic growth, and energy independence.
The expansion of solar manufacturing in the U.S. has also led to new investments and jobs. Based on SEIA’s Solar & Storage Supply Chain Dashboard, since the passage of key federal energy policies promoting solar deployment – like the Investment Tax Credit and Production Tax Credit – and promoting domestic manufacturing – including the Section 45X tax credit and Section 48C tax credit – over 70 new solar and storage manufacturing facilities have come online across 43 states and Puerto Rico, with over 50 more currently under construction. Since 2022, solar manufacturers have announced $36.4 billion in investments. These investments are not just numbers on a page—they are tangible opportunities for American workers. They have thus far created more than 46,000 manufacturing jobs, and SEIA predicts the solar manufacturing workforce will reach 100,000 by 2033.
SEIA has played a significant role in the passage of critical federal policies. For example, the organization pushed for solar ingot and wafer production facilities and equipment to qualify for the CHIPS and Science Act’s Section 48D 25% investment tax credit. SEIA President Abigail Ross Hopper noted, “The U.S. is now the third-largest module producer in the world because of these policy actions. This milestone not only marks progress for the solar industry, but it also reinforces the essential role energy policies play in building up the domestic manufacturing industry that American workers and their families rely on.”
The 52.3 GW of online solar module capacity represents a growth of over 600% since the passage of such federal energy policies. In 2020, the U.S. had only 7 GW of domestic module manufacturing capacity. SEIA then set a goal for 50 GW of solar manufacturing production by the end of the decade, spanning the entire solar supply chain, including modules, cells, ingots and wafers, polysilicon, trackers, and inverters. The country has now surpassed that goal in terms of module capacity alone. Along the complete module supply chain, companies have announced plans for more than 94 GW of solar modules, 57 GW of cells, 23 GW of wafers, 18 GW of ingots, and 33 GW of polysilicon.
The investment and job numbers also reflect growth. While there were $9.6 billion in solar and storage manufacturing expenditures before the passage of federal manufacturing tax credits, there have been $36.4 billion in such spending since. While there were 16,749 solar and storage manufacturing jobs before the tax credits, over 46,000 have been added since.
The U.S. solar industry isn’t slowing down. A complete domestic solar supply chain means greater U.S. energy security and lower consumer energy costs. With more domestic production, the U.S. is reducing its reliance on foreign energy sources, helping stabilize prices, and making electricity more affordable. With projected growth in solar production and continuous policy support, the future looks bright for both workers and consumers.
