4 US solar manufacturers join American Made initiative
by December 15, 2023 8:16 am 517 views
Little Rock-based solar power developer Scenic Hill Solar announced Thursday (Dec. 14) that four U.S-based solar equipment manufacturers have joined an initiative to encourage the manufacturing of American-made array components.
The American Made, Arkansas Built initiative now includes Array Technologies, Shoals Technologies Group, OMCO Solar and APA Solar Racking. In 2022, Scenic Hill Solar launched the initiative with First Solar, Yaskawa Solectria Solar, Nextracker, Zekelman Industries and KORE Power Inc.
“With our nine premier partners in the American Made, Arkansas Built Initiative, we are pushing for a restoration of American leadership in renewable energy,” said Bill Halter, CEO of Scenic Hill Solar. “The solar industry began in the United States, but then manufacturing shifted overseas. Our partnership with these leading American companies will help bring the industry back home to America by focusing on innovation and collaboration among the premier American manufacturers of solar equipment and batteries.
“A strong set of American renewable energy manufacturers provides our country with greater energy independence, strengthened American national security and fewer global supply chain disruptions,” Halter added. “It also increases economic development and high-paying jobs for American workers powered by the explosive growth of renewable energy industries.”
Array Technologies is a renewable energy company and provider of utility-scale solar tracking technology.
“The U.S. is rising to the challenge to expand our domestic supply chain to serve burgeoning demand for solar power, and American Made, Arkansas Built, is a prime example of how clean energy manufacturing leaders are building the future now,” said Array Technologies CEO Kevin Hostetler. “Array has been in the vanguard of U.S. renewable energy manufacturing since our founding as a solar tracker company more than 30 years ago. Arkansas is poised to boost solar power, and we’re driven to be a part of this outstanding market.”
Shoals Technologies provides electrical balance of systems products for solar, storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. OMCO Solar manufactures solar trackers and fixed-tilt products for distributed generation and utility-scale projects. APA Solar Racking produces array racks.
“We currently produce all our solar racking steel products in America and have successfully built many large solar projects in Arkansas,” said APA Solar CEO Josh Von Deylen. “This program unites American manufacturers together to promote job creation through all channels of the solar industry. APA hopes to continue this partnership in this initiative for years to come, and we are excited to be accepted into the program.”