US solar supply chain strengthens with domestic partnerships
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US solar manufacturing is showing surprising strength, defying expectations shaped by shifting policies and entrenched foreign competition. Recent years have seen rapid expansions by domestic producers, even as attitudes toward clean energy remain divided. Although historically sensitive to policy changes, the solar sector is gaining new momentum through investment and targeted tax incentives.
China remains dominant in global solar production, aided by economies of scale and a tightly integrated supply chain. In response, US lawmakers have adopted a mix of tariffs, domestic content rules, and tax benefits to reduce dependence on imported components. These moves have enabled companies like First Solar, Hanwha Qcells, and T1 Energy to grow operations and improve domestic supply capacity.
Domestic partnerships are building a fully American solar supply chain
Among the most significant developments is a partnership between T1 Energy and Corning Inc. Together, the two companies will form a vertically integrated supply chain. Corning will produce wafers in Michigan, which T1 will process into solar cells in Austin before final assembly in Dallas.
Operations are expected to begin in the second half of 2026, supporting roughly 6,000 jobs. The effort aligns with recent federal requirements that limit clean energy subsidies based on foreign sourcing, particularly from designated countries of concern.
The agreement not only strengthens the US production base but also reduces risk tied to volatility in foreign markets. As tariffs increase on imported cells and modules from Southeast Asia, domestic capacity becomes more attractive.
Texas and Georgia are becoming the heart of US solar manufacturing
Texas and Georgia are establishing themselves as central hubs for solar production. In Rockdale, Texas, T1 Energy is developing an $850 million factory expected to produce 5 gigawatts of solar cells annually. This is in addition to the company’s module facility in Wilmer, which it acquired from Trina Solar and which already provides another 5 gigawatts of capacity.
Hanwha Qcells has expanded significantly in Georgia. Its facilities in Dalton and Cartersville will collectively reach 8.4 gigawatts of output annually, enough to power more than 1 million homes. The company is also moving into panel recycling, becoming the first US-based crystalline-silicon manufacturer to integrate recycling into its operations. These expansions are supported by favorable energy prices, access to transportation infrastructure, and growing pools of skilled labor.
Solar incentives and tariffs are reshaping market dynamics
Federal policy has become a decisive factor in the industry’s momentum. In early 2025, the Commerce Department imposed tariffs on solar imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with some duties exceeding 600 percent. US producers benefited immediately, with First Solar’s share price rising by more than 13 percent.
Simultaneously, tax credits tied to domestic content are encouraging long-term capital investment. These incentives are a key reason many companies are choosing to build within the US, despite higher labor and material costs.
That momentum could slow if pending legislation rolls back those credits. Industry leaders in Georgia and elsewhere have warned that such changes would jeopardize future growth and could stall projects already underway.
Despite recent gains, the US still faces major structural challenges in solar manufacturing. While progress has been made in module and cell production, upstream components like wafers and polysilicon are still sourced largely from overseas.
China maintains strong cost advantages, driven by a high degree of vertical integration and government support. US companies are beginning to catch up, but matching China’s efficiency will take sustained investment and policy consistency.
The industry’s continued growth will depend on stable domestic demand, grid modernization, and training programs that support the development of a skilled solar workforce.
Sources
The Express