Global demand for solar panels is on the rise, with forecasts projecting an increase from the mid-400s GW range in 2023 to the high-600s range by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 3%.
To support this growth, expanded manufacturing capacity is needed. Notably, solar panel manufacturing is coming back in North America after early efforts in the 2000’s struggled to gain traction.
To mitigate the risk of supply shortages in the event of another pandemic, the United States solar industry is rapidly onshoring assembly manufacturing.
This shift aims to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains while positioning US manufacturers to offer competitively priced panels once tariffs on low-cost Chinese imports take effect. However, some component supply challenges remain—for example, solar panels rely on glass sheets, which are not currently manufactured in the US.
The process steps for solar panel manufacturing include coating, CVD, PECVD, printing and packaging
To address this, new panel plants are being planned and constructed. Both panel assembly and component manufacturing require cleanrooms ranging from ISO Class 6 to ISO Class 8.
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