Abundance of steel in the US and Europe could derisk the supply chain of solar module frames, says Origami Solar
The US renewables industry is focusing on building a domestic manufacturing industry and reducing reliance on foreign products through the Inflation Reduction Act. However, the act does not cover steel frames for solar modules. Origami Solar is pushing for steel frames to be included in the act, as steel is cheaper and more readily available in the US and Europe. This shift would also reduce the carbon footprint. The move towards steel frames would help establish a domestic production capacity and reduce reliance on imported frames from China and Southeast Asia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Origami Solar?
Origami Solar is a company that has innovated a steel solar module frame which is claimed to be compatible with existing solar module designs. This innovation is intended to tackle supply chain constraints by utilizing steel, a material that is abundant in the US and Europe.
2. How does steel abundance de-risk the supply chain for solar module frames?
The abundance of steel in the US and Europe means there is a readily available supply of this material, which can help in mitigating risks associated with sourcing from distant suppliers or dealing with the volatility of other materials' markets. By utilizing this local abundance, solar module production can be more predictable and less susceptible to international supply chain disruptions.
3. Why is using steel for solar module frames significant?
Using steel for solar module frames is significant because steel is durable, strong, and often cheaper and more readily available than other materials like aluminum. This can lead to cost savings and increased resilience in the manufacturing process of solar modules.
4. Are steel solar module frames as efficient as other materials?
While the efficiency of a solar module predominantly relies on the photovoltaic cells themselves, the choice of framing material can have an indirect impact on longevity, ease of installation, and overall durability. Steel frames can offer comparable performance with proper design and construction.
5. Can steel frames be integrated with current solar module technology?
According to the North American Clean Energy magazine issue (Issue Link), Origami Solar has developed a steel solar module frame that is backward compatible with current module technologies, which means that it can be integrated without having to significantly alter existing solar technologies.
For detailed and specific information regarding Origami Solar and their claims about the de-risking of solar module frames' supply chain, it would be necessary to refer to the original PV Tech article or contact Origami Solar directly.