PVTIME – In a significant move for the US solar industry, Suniva, the largest and oldest US manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells, and Heliene Inc, a leading US manufacturer of solar PV modules, have joined forces with Corning Incorporated. Their goal is to offer the US domestic market a solar module that will be the only one made entirely from US polysilicon, wafers and cells.
Corning plays a critical role in this initiative. As a supplier of wafers and majority owner of Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC), Corning sources HSC’s hyperpure polysilicon. Both the wafers and the polysilicon are manufactured in Michigan, while Suniva manufactures the solar cells in Georgia. This ensures that the panel is built on the highest quality American-made solar components.
The new solar panel is notable for its domestic content, which can reach up to 66% – the highest percentage in the market. This high domestic content provides a significant benefit to solar developers through the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) domestic content bonus.
The three companies expressed their excitement about leveraging their advanced manufacturing expertise to deliver world-class solar components and strengthen the US energy supply chain. The partnership is expected to bring a true made-in-America solution to the U.S. market. Together, their companies offer the only solar cell on the market that maximises the ITC domestic content advantage for US developers, while building a domestic supply chain that promotes American energy independence and a robust manufacturing base.
In 2024, Heliene and Suniva partnered to produce the first crystalline silicon solar modules using American-made cells. In recent months, Heliene has signed another module supply agreement with Origami Solar, and Corning has announced plans to build a $900 million manufacturing facility in Michigan.
