This piece was contributed to Solar Power World Online by Billy Ludt.
Domestic solar manufacturing is seeing an unprecedented boom as the industry reaps the tax benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act. To meet the demands of electrifying and decarbonizing the American grid with products made within its borders, companies are expanding operations in the United States.
However, not every solar company producing hardware has the knowhow, staff or facilities for in-house manufacturing at scale. To make products without expanding operational bandwidth, companies can work with contract manufacturers — specialized third-party fabricators that produce components to the specifications of the originating company.
Contract manufacturing arrangements vary by a company’s needs. They can be short-term, or in the case of many solar companies, they can start entire factories or new manufacturing lines dedicated to producing individual pieces or whole products.
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