Biden government's $56 million focus on thin film, calcium titanium oxide technology
Jul 26, 2022
US President Joe Biden has launched a series of initiatives with $56 million in new funding to stimulate domestic solar PV manufacturing and recycling.
The initiatives, advanced through the US Department of Energy, are designed to expand thin-film module capacity and support the development of calcium-titanium ore solar cells, thereby reducing dependence on imports from Southeast Asia, while boosting domestic manufacturing.
Including $10 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, $29 million in funding will be used to support a PV R&D program in FY2022. This program will be used to fund projects that enhance the reuse and recycling rates of solar technologies, as well as funding for PV module design development projects that reduce manufacturing costs, including for chalcogenide materials.
This $56 million in planned funding for solar manufacturing will promote the development of chalcogenide and cadmium telluride technologies
An additional $27 million under the FY2022 Solar Manufacturing Incubator will be used to support projects that will advance the commercialization of new technologies and manufacturing processes for domestic solar manufacturing in the United States. The program specifically mentions cadmium telluride, a key material for thin-film solar manufacturing championed by U.S. manufacturer First Solar.
The technologies supported by the Department of Energy do not include funding for silicon-based products, which rely heavily on China and Southeast Asia for their supply chains.
What's more, polysilicon prices in China have been rising over the past few weeks and are approaching the 300 yuan/kg ($44.41/kg) mark. Silicon rises again! Highest price traded at $300/kg
US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the Biden-Harris administration wants to "seize US leadership in solar energy" by investing in newer technologies to consolidate the domestic solar supply chain.
Earlier this month, the US Department of Energy launched a $500 million programme aimed at installing clean energy at existing or former mine sites across the country
