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The Green Blueprint

Why ditching aluminum is key to securing the US solar supply chain

Jun 13, 2024
Exploring the shift from Chinese aluminum to domestic recycled steel in the US solar industry and the benefits it brings, such as corrosion resistance and reduced weight. Discussing the vulnerabilities of China's dominance in solar manufacturing and the need to diversify supply sources. Highlighting the advantages of steel frames in solar products for enhanced supply chain resilience, technical performance, and environmental sustainability. Delving into the focus on low embodied emissions products in the solar supply chain and the policy implications of Europe's carbon border adjustment tax. Lastly, discussing the impacts of the Biden administration tariffs on the solar industry supply chains and the importance of transitioning to more resilient and diversified supply chains.
44:06

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Transitioning to steel frames from aluminum in solar technology enhances resilience and reduces embodied emissions.
  • Local manufacturing of steel frames supports domestic production and clean energy policies, aligning with reducing carbon footprints.

Deep dives

The Advancements in Solar Technology

Solar technology has rapidly advanced, with solar becoming the fastest-growing electricity-generating technology in history. The manufacturing capacity of photovoltaic (PV) has surpassed a terawatt this year due to continuous cost reductions in production. Despite this progress, the cost and performance of frames in PV modules have remained relatively unchanged, comprising a significant portion of module costs.

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