The burgeoning U.S. clean energy manufacturing industry, currently valued at a robust $18 billion, is a pivotal force in supporting an impressive 122,000 jobs. With an operating capacity exceeding 20 GW for module manufacturing and 3 GW for cell manufacturing, the sector is the prime supplier for the utility-scale market. However, even with this mighty stature, the industry faces a significant gap in meeting the burgeoning demand for modules and cells, with manufacturers grappling to overcome deficits of 25% and 75% respectively. Yet, the horizon is radiant with promise. Projections indicate that upcoming projects could potentially eclipse 75 GW in module capacity and reach 40 GW in cell manufacturing. This aligns with the anticipated demand, signaling a sunlit pathway of growth prospects for the clean energy manufacturing industry.
A recent report by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) paints an encouraging picture of the industry’s potential. By 2030, clean energy manufacturing is slated to support over half a million jobs, a quadrupling of the current figures. However, this potential surge in growth is not immune to the threat of disruptive policy, which could cast a shadow on this otherwise luminous outlook.
Clean energy manufacturing is increasingly becoming the catalyst for the onshoring of U.S. manufacturing and the creation of high-paying jobs. The ACP report states that the industry currently contributes $18 billion to the U.S. GDP and bolsters over 122,000 manufacturing jobs. By 2030, it is projected to escalate its GDP contribution by an astounding $86 billion and support 579,000 jobs. This would translate into an additional $42 billion in earnings for American workers.
The report also underscores the competitive compensation within the clean energy manufacturing industry, with salaries averaging $42,000 above the typical American worker’s salary. This is particularly the case in the solar industry, where direct manufacturing job salaries averaged $134,000 in 2024.
Solar manufacturing is already a shining star in the industry, supporting 75,400 jobs across 90 facilities and contributing $5.9 billion in earnings and $11.5 billion in GDP. The U.S. currently houses 35 module manufacturing sites, 25 tracker manufacturing facilities, seven racking facilities, 13 inverter facilities, three solar cell facilities, one ingot and wafer fabrication site, and four sites producing solar-grade polysilicon.
This rapid growth and the potential for the expansion of the clean energy manufacturing industry are emblematic of the broader shift in our societal and economic landscape. As we transition to a more sustainable and green economy, industries like clean energy manufacturing will increasingly take center stage, driving technological innovation, economic growth, and job creation. The future is radiant for this burgeoning industry, provided it navigates the potential policy pitfalls with strategic acumen and foresight.
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