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2. Suniva, the oldest domestic supplier of monocrystalline solar cells in the US, is back in business.
3. Suniva has forged a strategic sourcing contract with Heliene to produce US-made solar cells, creating jobs in Georgia and contributing to domestic solar manufacturing.
The US solar industry is on the verge of a revival in manufacturing as Suniva, a Chinese-owned US-based solar manufacturer, plans to restart its solar cell manufacturing operation in Georgia. This move aims to address the reliance on imported solar cells and panels that has fueled concerns about the future of the domestic industry. Suniva’s partnership with Heliene will result in the production of the first crystalline solar modules with US-made solar cells, making them eligible for renewable energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Inflation Reduction Act, a key climate action law passed by President Biden, has faced criticism from some Georgia public officials despite its role in attracting clean tech investors to the state. The solar cell factory in Norcross, Georgia, is expected to create 250 new jobs and is part of a larger trend of clean tech growth in the state, including expansions by companies like Qcells. The state’s business-friendly environment has also contributed to a boom in the EV battery manufacturing sector.
As Georgia looks to bolster its clean energy profile, the addition of new solar cell and panel facilities could help drive further growth in the solar industry. While there are challenges related to the state’s energy supply mix, particularly with regards to nuclear energy, the focus on clean tech signals a potential shift towards renewable energy sources in Georgia’s economic development strategy.