The U.S. solar industry has reported significant growth in its solar module manufacturing capacity, adding an impressive 8.6 gigawatts (GW) in the first quarter of 2025. This marks the third-largest increase in new manufacturing capacity recorded to date. The surge results from the establishment of new factories in Texas, Ohio, and Arizona, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie.
In addition, the solar cell production capacity in the U.S. reached 2 GW in the same quarter, doubling previous figures due to the opening of a new facility in South Carolina. The overall increase in solar capacity also saw the installation of 10.8 GW of new electricity-generating capacity during this period, with solar and storage now comprising 82% of all new generating capacity added to the grid.
While this expansion in manufacturing and deployment reflects a positive trend towards energy independence and growth in the U.S., there are concerns regarding new tariffs and potential changes to federal tax credits. The SEIA has highlighted worries about the uncertainty surrounding economy-wide tariffs, as well as new anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) on cells and modules imported from Southeast Asia. Additionally, the possibility of legislative changes affecting federal energy incentives raises further apprehension.
Abigail Ross Hopper, president of SEIA, emphasized the importance of addressing these legislative challenges, stating, “Solar and storage continue to dominate America’s energy economy, adding more new capacity to the grid than any technology using increasingly American-made equipment. But our success is at risk. If Congress fails to rectify the legislation passed by the House, which would render the energy tax incentives unusable, lawmakers will trigger a dangerous energy shortage that could lead to increased electric bills and halt the momentum of America’s manufacturing growth. The Senate still has time to get this right and secure a vision for American energy dominance.”
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