SEIA counts the US’ cumulative operational solar module manufacturing capacity to have exceeded 50 GW
At the end of January 2025, its capacity was 49.8 GW, expanding over 600% from 7 GW in 2020
The country’s total domestic solar tracker production capacity has also exceeded 80 GW
The solar module manufacturing capacity of the United States has exceeded the 50 GW milestone, while domestic solar tracker production has surpassed 80 GW, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) Supply Chain Dashboard. It calls the US the 3rd largest module producer in the world now.
The 50 GW module capacity has increased from 7 GW in 2020 when the association called for a goal of 50 GW of domestic solar manufacturing by 2030. Right application of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives can help exceed the target, it said while sharing a roadmap in 2022 (see Roadmap For 50 GW US Solar Manufacturing).
According to the association’s dashboard, the US had 19.1 GW of new module production capacity under construction as of January 2025, while another 14.1 GW had been announced. The federal manufacturing tax credits helped expand the country’s module manufacturing capability by over 600% to 49.8 GW compared to 7 GW before the tax credits came into the picture.
The country’s operational polysilicon production capacity was worth 25 GW, with another 33 GW announced as of January 2025. Ingot, wafer and cell capacities of 3.3 GW, 3.3 GW and 12.8 GW, respectively, are currently under construction.
Plans have been announced for 13 GW of ingots, 24 GW of wafers and 56 GW of new US solar cell production. Initial ingot and wafer facilities are expected to come online by the end of 2025.
“Establishing production of downstream components like modules ensures there is sufficient demand for upstream manufacturing. As a result of this strategic sequencing, two domestic solar cell factories have come online in Georgia and South Carolina in the last few months,” shares the association.
Several foreign companies have announced new production plants in the US PV market. Their fruition remains to be seen under the Donald Trump Presidency as he implements his ‘America first’ policies.
Additionally, Wood Mackenzie believes an ‘obstructive regulatory environment’ at both federal and state levels could hold back renewable energy development over the next few years as the Department of the Interior temporarily suspended the ability of some of its offices to issue authorizations for renewable energy in an order issued recently.