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Released October 31, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Written by Danny Levin, Deputy Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)
According to the SEIA's Solar & Storage Supply Chain Dashboard, there is 23 GW worth of solar module capacity and more than 34 GW of solar-cell capacity under construction or announced.
Solar cells are an upstream portion of the solar manufacturing supply chain, serving as the final component of solar modules.
"The surge in production of downstream components like modules has ensured there is sufficient demand for upstream manufacturing," the SEIA said in a press release. "Since the end of 2024, U.S. solar cell production capacity has more than tripled, rising from 1 GW to 3.2 GW."
Other upstream components include ingots and wafers.
The SEIA said with Corning Incorporated's (Corning, New York) solar components manufacturing plant in Hemlock, Michigan coming online in the third quarter, the U.S. now has the capacity to produce every major component of the solar supply chain. Production will continue to ramp up in the fourth quarter, according to Corning.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Industrial Manufacturing Plant Database can view the Hemlock plant profile.
Corning has a commercial agreement in place to provide wafers from the Hemlock plant to T1 Energy's (Austin, Texas) $850 million solar cell manufacturing plant in Milam County, Texas (G2 Austin). Site preparation is underway, and TI Energy is moving forward with plans to start the 2.1-GW first phase of the proposed 5-GW plant before the end of the year. T1 has not announced a completion date. Subscribers can click here for the related project report.
Corning also has entered into a partnership to create an end-to-end domestic solar manufacturing supply chain. For more information on the aforementioned project and partnership, see August 25, 2025, article - Major U.S. Solar Cell Plant to Start Construction This Year and March 14, 2025, article - Three Companies Join to Create First 'Made in America' Solar Module Supply Chain.
Also underway is Canadian Solar Incorporated's (Guelph, Ontario) $800 million solar-cell manufacturing plant in Jeffersonville, Indiana, designed to feature an annual capacity of 5 GW--equivalent to approximately 20,000 modules per day. Industrial Info is tracking a completion date by the end of 2026. Subscribers can view the project report.
See a full list of detailed reports for active and planned projects for the manufacturing of solar panels and cells within the U.S.
"We're seeing strong growth today, but that momentum isn't guaranteed. If the administration continues down this path, they risk driving investment overseas, stifling job creation, raising costs on consumers, and handing America's manufacturing advantage to our competitors," said the SEIA's Hopper. "This industry has proven what's possible when businesses have the certainty to invest. If the administration does not reverse their harmful actions that have undermined market certainty, energy costs will rise even further, and the next wave of factories and jobs could be at risk."
In July, Trump issued a directive subjecting wind and solar projects that require federal permitting or using federal funds or federal lands to increased scrutiny from U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's office. A press release said, all "decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities will undergo elevated review by the Office of the Secretary, including leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, grants, consultations and biological opinions"--in order to ensure that they are not being given preferential treatment in comparison to other forms of power generation such as natural gas and coal.
As a result, the department will "address provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to eliminate longstanding right-of-way and capacity fee discounts for existing and future wind and solar projects, bringing an end to years of subsidies for economically unviable energy development."
The July passage of the act ends federal tax credits for solar energy developments much sooner than originally planned.
Shortly after the passage, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service released new and more restrictive terms for solar (and wind) projects to use tax credits, although the changes weren't as challenging as renewables proponents originally imagined.
Projects in advanced stages of development that begin construction by July 2026 will be eligible, leading to the expectation that many projects will accelerate into construction by that time and come online by 2030.
For more information, see August 19, 2025, article - Some Relief for Wind and Solar as New IRS Rules Appear Workable.
But the agency's less-than-expected restrictions on solar development don't hold a candle to the Trump administration's efforts to promote fossil fuels and non-renewable sources of power generation.
That is in line with August data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): developers added 12 GW of new utility-scale solar generation capacity in the first half of the year, to be followed by another 21 GW added in the second half. If those plans are realized, the EIA said, solar power would account for more than half of the 64 GW that developers plan to bring online this year.
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Summary
New data from the Solar Energy Industries Association shows that the U.S. now has more than 60 gigawatts (GW) worth of solar module-manufacturing capacity, with more on the way.U.S. Solar Module Manufacturing on the Rise
New data from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) shows that the U.S. now has more than 60 gigawatts (GW) worth of solar module-manufacturing capacity, a 37% increase from December 2024. Additional capacity is in the pipeline, although this comes at a time when President Donald Trump's administration is prioritizing fossil fuels over renewables.According to the SEIA's Solar & Storage Supply Chain Dashboard, there is 23 GW worth of solar module capacity and more than 34 GW of solar-cell capacity under construction or announced.
Solar cells are an upstream portion of the solar manufacturing supply chain, serving as the final component of solar modules.
"The surge in production of downstream components like modules has ensured there is sufficient demand for upstream manufacturing," the SEIA said in a press release. "Since the end of 2024, U.S. solar cell production capacity has more than tripled, rising from 1 GW to 3.2 GW."
Other upstream components include ingots and wafers.
The SEIA said with Corning Incorporated's (Corning, New York) solar components manufacturing plant in Hemlock, Michigan coming online in the third quarter, the U.S. now has the capacity to produce every major component of the solar supply chain. Production will continue to ramp up in the fourth quarter, according to Corning.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Industrial Manufacturing Plant Database can view the Hemlock plant profile.
U.S. Solar Manufacturing Plants and Projects
Industrial Info is tracking billions' worth of active and planned projects for the manufacturing of solar panels and cells within the U.S.Corning has a commercial agreement in place to provide wafers from the Hemlock plant to T1 Energy's (Austin, Texas) $850 million solar cell manufacturing plant in Milam County, Texas (G2 Austin). Site preparation is underway, and TI Energy is moving forward with plans to start the 2.1-GW first phase of the proposed 5-GW plant before the end of the year. T1 has not announced a completion date. Subscribers can click here for the related project report.
Corning also has entered into a partnership to create an end-to-end domestic solar manufacturing supply chain. For more information on the aforementioned project and partnership, see August 25, 2025, article - Major U.S. Solar Cell Plant to Start Construction This Year and March 14, 2025, article - Three Companies Join to Create First 'Made in America' Solar Module Supply Chain.
Also underway is Canadian Solar Incorporated's (Guelph, Ontario) $800 million solar-cell manufacturing plant in Jeffersonville, Indiana, designed to feature an annual capacity of 5 GW--equivalent to approximately 20,000 modules per day. Industrial Info is tracking a completion date by the end of 2026. Subscribers can view the project report.
See a full list of detailed reports for active and planned projects for the manufacturing of solar panels and cells within the U.S.
Trump Administration Threatens U.S. Solar Development
However, the current administration's policies and regulations have contributed to uncertainty in the solar industry. They could stall the progress made to boost panel manufacturing and lessen demand for the products attributed to the solar supply chain."We're seeing strong growth today, but that momentum isn't guaranteed. If the administration continues down this path, they risk driving investment overseas, stifling job creation, raising costs on consumers, and handing America's manufacturing advantage to our competitors," said the SEIA's Hopper. "This industry has proven what's possible when businesses have the certainty to invest. If the administration does not reverse their harmful actions that have undermined market certainty, energy costs will rise even further, and the next wave of factories and jobs could be at risk."
In July, Trump issued a directive subjecting wind and solar projects that require federal permitting or using federal funds or federal lands to increased scrutiny from U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's office. A press release said, all "decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities will undergo elevated review by the Office of the Secretary, including leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, grants, consultations and biological opinions"--in order to ensure that they are not being given preferential treatment in comparison to other forms of power generation such as natural gas and coal.
As a result, the department will "address provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to eliminate longstanding right-of-way and capacity fee discounts for existing and future wind and solar projects, bringing an end to years of subsidies for economically unviable energy development."
The July passage of the act ends federal tax credits for solar energy developments much sooner than originally planned.
Shortly after the passage, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service released new and more restrictive terms for solar (and wind) projects to use tax credits, although the changes weren't as challenging as renewables proponents originally imagined.
Projects in advanced stages of development that begin construction by July 2026 will be eligible, leading to the expectation that many projects will accelerate into construction by that time and come online by 2030.
For more information, see August 19, 2025, article - Some Relief for Wind and Solar as New IRS Rules Appear Workable.
But the agency's less-than-expected restrictions on solar development don't hold a candle to the Trump administration's efforts to promote fossil fuels and non-renewable sources of power generation.
U.S. Solar Generation's Resiliency
Still, utility-scale solar power generation in the U.S. is on the rise and is expected to grow in the future. The Department of Energy (DOE) said in August it expects utility-scale solar to end the year up 33% relative to year-ago levels.That is in line with August data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): developers added 12 GW of new utility-scale solar generation capacity in the first half of the year, to be followed by another 21 GW added in the second half. If those plans are realized, the EIA said, solar power would account for more than half of the 64 GW that developers plan to bring online this year.
Key Takeaways
- According to the SEIA, more than 60 gigawatts worth of current U.S. solar module-manufacturing capacity is a 37% increase from the amount in December 2024
- Companies are working to boost U.S. solar supply chain manufacturing through investments and partnerships
- Donald Trump's pro-fossil fuel policies pose a threat to the U.S. solar industry
- U.S. solar generation is on the rise
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
