Suniva to Restart Georgia Factory Thanks to Biden Climate Law
US Solar Manufacturer Suniva Benefits from Biden’s Climate Law
Suniva, the US solar manufacturer that fought for tariffs on cheap panels made overseas, is set to restart its Georgia factory next year. This development comes as a result of the incentives provided by President Joe Biden’s landmark climate law. In an interview, Matt Card, the president of Suniva, expressed his optimism about the company’s future, stating that they will quickly return to the market and prove the potential of solar cells.
US Solar Production Expands with the Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which subsidizes domestic manufacturing of clean energy equipment, has encouraged several companies to commit to new US solar production capacity. Suniva’s decision to resume solar cell production is a significant milestone for the company, which faced bankruptcy six years ago due to competition from low-priced imports, primarily from China.
Suniva’s Georgia Facility to Begin Production Next Year
Suniva plans to start producing solar cells at its Norcross, Georgia facility in the spring of next year. The initial production capacity of 1 gigawatt per year will be sufficient to power approximately 173,000 homes. The company also aims to expand its operations and create up to 240 jobs in the first phase of the factory. Suniva is currently in advanced negotiations with potential customers and expects to have most of its supply contracted before the factory opens.
Positive Impact of Biden’s Climate Law
The financing commitment of $110 million from New York investment fund Orion Infrastructure Capital (OIC) has played a crucial role in Suniva’s expansion plans. OIC has also supported other solar manufacturers, including Canadian company Heliene, in establishing new production facilities in the US. Suniva’s president, Matt Card, believes that the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, along with the subsidies provided by the IRA, have helped revive US panel production and create new opportunities for domestic manufacturers.
US-Made Solar Cells Key to Domestic Production
Projects using solar panels containing domestically-produced cells will qualify for an IRA tax credit worth 10% of the facility’s cost. This additional incentive, on top of the existing 30% tax credit for renewable energy facilities, aims to promote the use of American-made equipment. Suniva and other manufacturers emphasize the importance of producing solar cells in the US to reduce reliance on imports, particularly from China, and support the growth of the American solar industry.
Revitalizing the American Solar Industry
John Podesta, a White House senior advisor on clean energy policy, views Suniva’s decision as a significant step forward for the American solar industry. The Inflation Reduction Act demonstrates its power in revitalizing the industry and creating new opportunities. Suniva’s reemergence, along with other companies like Enel and Hanwha, planning to establish solar cell manufacturing in the US, further highlights the positive impact of Biden’s climate law on the domestic clean energy sector.
