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Origami Solar Finalizes All-American Supply Chain for Steel Solar Module Frames
Slice of Energy Team
June 25, 2024
Key Highlights:
Origami Solar finalizes a domestic U.S. supply chain for steel solar frames.
Partnerships with Welser Profile, Priefert, and Unimacts ensure quick delivery and high-quality production.
Steel frames provide greater module load capacity and 90% less embodied carbon than aluminum.
Domestic supply reduces risks from trans-Pacific shipping and geopolitical tensions.
Enhanced job creation with up to 70 new positions at Priefert's Benton facility.
Source (Business Wire)
Notable Quotes:
“Priefert has long prided itself for creating the high-end steel-based equipment American businesses need and for providing good-paying jobs for American workers.”
“America has one of the world’s strongest steel industries. We have the energy efficient steel mills and the world-class fabricators that can produce every solar frame America will ever need.”
“The American solar industry understands that a domestic supply chain for steel solar frames dramatically reduces risk to companies and to the industry writ large.”
“Welser Profile has worked with high-strength steel for over 350 years, and the company has been in our family for 11 generations. We understand how to shape high-strength steel to create uniquely durable, functional, and reliable equipment, and our partnership included working with Origami’s engineers.”
Our Take:
The announcement of an all-American supply chain for Origami Solar's steel module frames represents a significant step forward for the U.S. solar industry. By mitigating the risks associated with trans-Pacific shipping and reliance on foreign suppliers, this initiative promises enhanced reliability and efficiency in the production of solar panels. The partnerships with top-tier U.S. steel fabricators like Welser Profile, Priefert, and Unimacts not only bolster the domestic solar infrastructure but also highlight the superior performance and environmental benefits of steel over aluminum. This strategic move is poised to create new jobs, support American manufacturing, and strengthen the overall resilience of the solar supply chain in the face of global uncertainties.