The revival of a factory in Moses Lake, Wash., is set to shake up the solar panel industry by bringing back domestic production of a critical ingredient that has long been dominated by China. REC Silicon, the owner of the factory, has partnered with South Korean company Hanwha Qcells to restart production of polysilicon, the key component in most solar panels.
The move comes as part of a broader effort to reduce the world’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing and establish a complete domestic supply chain for solar panels. The factory reopened in November, thanks in part to incentives for domestic manufacturing in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
Industry executives hope that this revival will encourage other companies to follow suit and invest in domestic manufacturing. The United States was once a leader in solar panel production, and there is a growing push to reclaim that position.
However, challenges remain, including the dominance of Chinese manufacturers and concerns about illegal trade practices and forced labor in the production of solar panel components. The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee has petitioned the U.S. government to investigate these issues and impose higher tariffs on products from certain countries.
Despite these challenges, companies like Qcells are committed to using domestically produced polysilicon in their solar panels. REC Silicon has already begun ramping up production and hiring new employees at the Moses Lake facility, with plans for further expansion in the future.
The revival of this factory represents a significant step towards reestablishing the United States as a major player in the solar panel industry. With continued investment and support, the hope is that more companies will follow suit and help create a more sustainable and competitive solar manufacturing sector in the country.
