NREL conducts detailed supply chain analysis for specific photovoltaic module technologies. These analyses include production locations, supply chain risk and costs, and material availability. NREL's quarterly solar industry updatesprovide information on trends within the solar industry. These quarterly updates cover an array of photovoltaic module and system. An Updated Life Cycle Assessment of Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems Installed in the United States, NREL Technical Report (2024).
What is the solar photovoltaics supply chain review?
The Solar Photovoltaics Supply Chain Review, produced by the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office with support from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, will help the federal government to build more secure and diverse U.S. energy supply chains.
Special Report on Solar PV Global Supply Chains Solar PV is a crucial pillar of clean energy transitions worldwide, underpinning efforts to reach international energy and climate goals. Over the last decade, the amount of solar PV deployed around the world has increased massively while its costs have declined drastically.
The solar supply chain is global and reliant on products from China or companies with close ties to China, a country with documented human rights violations and an unpredictable trade relationship with the United States.
With the additional announced and existing CdTe capacity of 10 GWdc, the overall U.S. solar manufacturing capacity would be 30 GWdc. From this base the supply chain would need to grow rapidly to match anticipated growth in market demand.
How can solar PV supply chain diversification reduce supply chain risks?
Because diversification is one of the key strategies for reducing supply chain risks, the report assesses the opportunities and challenges of developing solar PV supply chains in terms of job creation, investment requirements, manufacturing costs, emissions and recycling.
Why is the supply chain of PV solar panels at risk?
Supply chain of PV solar panels is at risks due to trade barriers and shortage of raw material. China controls the supply of materials, manufacturing, installations, and recycling capacity. Recycling high-value materials from end-of-life PV panels is not a practical solution.