How does solar energy fit in the picture as we celebrate National Manufacturing Day? Solar energy is a way to generate electricity at low cost from manufactured products. First time in history, we do not have to burn anything to power our daily lives.
Six solar cells containing crystalline silicon are produced in the United States every second. The Energy Department’s SunShot initiative expects to see nearly three times that amount of solar cells racing down the line in 10 years. This will help make America the leader in high-tech manufacturing.
The United States is involved in the manufacturing supply chains that design and build solar energy systems, from utility-scale down to residential. We produce many feedstock materials, semi-finished components, and tools for factory infrastructure. We also provide real-time monitoring and offline software. The solar industry has made significant advances across the value chain.
The SunShot Initiative has funded many projects that have led to significant advances in the last few years. SunShot-awarded 1366 Technologies has developed a new method of manufacturing silicon wafers. SunShot’s Solar Manufacturing Technology 1 and Solar Manufacturing Technology programs have provided funding to the company to help it develop a technique to produce individual silicon wafers from molten material. The company has received funding from SunShot’s a href= “https://www.energy.gov/eere/sunshot/sunshot-incubator-program”>Incubator/a> program and a href= “https://www.energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-manufacturing technology-2”>Solar Manufacturing Technology 2/a> program that allowed it to develop molten silicon wa The innovative manufacturing process of 1366 conserves silicon. This allows the company to produce more products with less material and pass those savings on to consumers who buy solar panels made from their wafers.
Crystal Solar, an awardee announced last month, is developing a method to reduce costs by automating the pilot manufacturing line for thin silicon wafers. Crystal Solar simplifies obtaining high-purity polysilicon by forming the silicon wafer directly on a reusable substrate. The process involves depositing layers of solid silicon onto a cloud. This will allow for a reproducible supply of single-crystal silicon wafers, using fewer steps than conventional manufacturing.
Sunfolding is another Technology for Market winner. They are developing a single-axis, utility-scale tracking system which uses air pressure to optimize the angle of a solar panel towards the sun. The project will reduce the number of components in the tracking system by using a metal pressing press capable of producing final form components quickly. The project will reduce waste materials and defects. This will lower costs. It will result in a low-cost tracking system that improves site design and construction efficiency. This will allow for more efficient land usage, which SunShot Awardee SunPower is also doing. They fly drones over possible sites and calculate the best way to fit as many solar panels into utility use.
SunShot’s goals will be achieved today and in the future by creating new, cutting-edge technology that improves American solar manufacturing.