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The Future of Photovoltaics Manufacturing in the United States Summary of Two Symposia (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Panel VI: Roundtable Discussion - Key Issues and Next Steps Forward
Pages 115-122

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From page 115...
... Daniels noted BP Solar's "long history of perfecting the final product, the module that goes to market." He said that goals for the future must include lower cost and better performance of solar modules. He noted that R&D 115
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From page 116...
... "We've just made an initial start at addressing that here in Washington. But it is a difficult challenge for our customers, which is one reason so many manufacturers have built factories outside the United States."
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From page 117...
... "We all need that." Richard Bendis Innovation America Mr. Bendis said he had created a new entity called Innovation America "because I believe in both: innovation and America." It is a public-private partnership that functions as an intermediary between the states, regions, federal agencies, and the investors "who really fuel innovation." The day before the symposium, the group had released a paper called "Creating a National Innovation Framework." Part of its message, he said, was that many developing countries have more integrated science, technology, and innovation plans than the United States, despite its many fundamental achievements over the decades.
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From page 118...
... So if we want to see the next generation of solar, PV and renewable energy leaders emerge here at home, we need a major commitment to the innovation roots of America, which is small business." DISCUSSION Congresswoman Giffords asked the panel to ponder how the United States can move its manufacturing forward and encourage industry to step up and invest in facilities at home. Frank Calzonetti of the University of Toledo commented that solar manufacturing and the solar industry in general would only advance when it had the outspoken support of industry.
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From page 119...
... said he was happy that the solar market in the United States would grow rapidly as a result of the stimulus bill, investment tax credits, and state initiatives. He expressed concern that the manufacturing capability of the United States would not be able to fill that market.
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From page 120...
... He represents over 60 member companies, he said, and his board of directors includes Applied Materials, SunPower, and others. "We're on the roofs, looking at standards and best practices." Institutional Barriers He said he would try to tie the downstream issues of execution to manufacturing competitiveness, cycle time, and innovation through three data points: • For the average residential home, the time installers spend on the roof is three to five days; behind the scenes, manufacturing takes 100 to 120 days.
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From page 121...
... So it really helps when the universities have outreach into the schools." "What Kids Care About Is What's Happening to the Planet" Congresswoman Giffords responded that after Sputnik, more than 50 years ago, the United States committed resources to science and engineering in the face of a specific international challenge. "What kids care about today," she said, "is what's happening to the planet.
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From page 122...
... "What I sense is that ultimately the supply decisions in terms of which technology wins will be made by the market. What will help spur demand is to take the smart grid one step further and build around it a relationship with users so they can actually understand how they can participate." Congresswoman Giffords closed the discussion by thanking the National Academies and the Department of Energy, and offered a "couple of parting words.
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Key Terms

  • applied materials
  • real technology
  • tax credits
  • solar industry
  • innovation america

  • solar market
  • solar energy
  • stimulus bill
  • investment tax
  • bill harris

  • picking winners
  • trade agreements
  • national innovation
  • learning curve
  • technology industry

  • precompetitive research
  • increased domestic
  • graduate work
  • commercial solar
  • materials spends

  • industry standard
  • lowed applied
  • toledo commented
  • innovation roots
  • energy field

  • domestic students
  • south korea
  • eric daniels
  • time installers
  • built factories


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