Verónica Castro-AllendeThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a $40 million investment to strengthen the solar supply chain, focusing on enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems. This initiative, which includes $16 million for four key research projects, aims to extend the lifecycle of solar panels and promote recycling through the MORE PV (Materials, Operation, and Recycling of Photovoltaics) program. The funding supports efforts to reduce the environmental impact of decommissioned solar panels by improving their durability and minimizing their entry into the waste stream. The Solar Partnership to Advance Recycling and Circularity (Solar PARC) will further enhance material recovery processes, ensuring solar technology remains sustainable. Additionally, the DOE introduced a $3 million PRIME Prize to encourage solar manufacturers to meet the EPEAT ecolabel standard, incentivizing greener production. This initiative builds on the American-Made Solar Prize program, which supports ongoing innovation in solar technologies. With funding allocated to projects from Case Western Reserve and kWh Analytics, the DOE is promoting local manufacturing and a resilient, sustainable solar industry. These measures will help the U.S. transition to cleaner energy and position the country as a leader in solar innovation.
The Department of Energy ( DOE ) has spearheaded a$ 40 million investment in the solar supply chain, according to the US government.
This initiative aims to enhance the sustainability, efficiency, and efficiency of solar energy technologies while supporting the growth of local manufacturing.
The funding will be divided into four research and development projects that will promote the recovery of materials from decommissioned solar systems and improve the lifecycle of photovoltaic ( PV ) solar systems.
Increasing the sustainability of solar PV systems
The$ 16 million to four projects, with$ 8 million coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a crucial component of the DOE’s plan to strengthen the thermal supply chain.
This funding will go toward enhancing the sustainability of PV systems through the Materials, Operation, and Recycling of Photovoltaics ( MORE PV ) program.
By 2030, the goal of this initiative is to reduce the cost of recycling PV modules and reduce the impact on the environment when these systems reach the end of their useful lifecycle.
A major component of the strategy is to increase the lifespan of thermal panels by making them more wear- and repair-resistant.
By addressing prevalent causes of premature failures, such as damage caused by severe weather, the initiative aims to slow the entry of PV panels into the waste stream.
In addition, the funding will support research to ensure that renewable energy continues to be a viable option over time.
Another initiative that is part of the MORE PV program is the Solar Partnership to Advance Recycling and Circularity ( Solar PARC ).
This partnership, which consists of 30 organisations, including the Electric Power Research Institute, focuses on enhancing the circularity of thermal systems by improving content recovery processes and establishing end-of-life management practices for PV components.
Projects receiving funding
To strengthen the regional solar supply chain, four important projects have been chosen for funding.
- Case Western Reserve ($ 4 million )
- kWh Analytics ($ 2.4 million )
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($ 1.3 million )
- Electric Power Research Institute ($ 8 million )
These projects will play a vital role in developing more robust, green PV technologies.
Incentivising thermal manufacturers
In addition to these research projects, the DOE has announced a$ 3m American-Made Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel ( PRIME) Prize.
This award will spur thermal producers on to comply with the Global Electronics Council’s EPEAT ecolabel standard.
Ecolabels, which certifies that products adhere to certain environmental performance standards, will aid thermal companies in reducing the impact of their technologies on the environment and simplifying end-of-life management.
Another benefit of the investment is the American-Made Solar Prize program’s ongoing support for thermal innovation.
The program has awarded $1.6 million in cash prizes to pioneers in thermal hardware and software technologies in its sixth round.
This year, two finalist teams— Fram Energy and Gritt Robotics —each received$ 500, 000 for their solutions aimed at overcoming challenges to equitable solar energy deployment.
The DOE continues to encourage advancements that will shape the future of the US solar supply chain, encouraging green growth in the sector, with Round 8 of the competition then open for applications.
The United State’s$ 40m investment in the solar supply chain underscores its commitment to building a resilient, sustainable, and competitive solar industry.
These initiatives encourage local manufacturing, which will eventually lead to a cleaner energy future, in addition to developing longer-lasting, more economically friendly PV systems.
