The availability of steel in the US and Europe could potentially de-risk the supply chain of solar module frames, according to CEO at Origami Solar, Gregg Patterson, CEO at the company. The company is pushing for 100% steel frames for trackers and racks to be made with 100% US-made steel, a move that could reinforce the domestic supply chain. This shift from aluminium to steel could help set up a domestic production capacity and reduce reliance on imported frames from China and Southeast Asia. The change could also reduce the carbon footprint of the frame, the glass or the back sheet, and potentially establish a domestic manufacturing facility. The steel frame is the second most expensive part of the BOM [bill of materials] for a module after the solar cells. However, with the steel frame made with steel, it meets domestic content requirements.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
