Reshoring silicon photovoltaics manufacturing contributes to decarbonization and climate change mitigation

The globalized supply chain for crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) panels is increasingly fragile, as freight crises and geopolitical risks threaten to postpone major PV projects. This study assesses the climate change implications of reshoring solar panel manufacturing to the U.S. as a strategy to reduce reliance on foreign supplies. If the U.S. fully reshored c-Si PV panel manufacturing by 2035, the estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption would be 30% and 13% lower, respectively, than relying on global imports in 2020. If the target is achieved by 2050, climate and energy impacts would be reduced by 33% and 17%, respectively, compared to 2020. Reshored manufacturing improves domestic competitiveness, advances decarbonization goals, and the reductions align with climate targets.

Haoyue Liang, Fengqi You