Austin solar manufacturer bucking Trump administration's anti-renewables push

AI generated summary

Despite the Trump administration's anti-renewables stance, U.S. solar manufacturers are finding opportunities to thrive, particularly through tax policies and tariffs. Companies like First Solar and Hanwha Qcells are expanding, while newer players such as T1 Energy, based in Austin, are forming partnerships to establish domestic supply chains. T1 Energy's collaboration with Corning Inc. aims to produce nearly all components in the U.S., contributing to Texas's growing reputation as a solar manufacturing hub.

While the U.S. still lags behind China in solar panel production, T1's plans include building a plant in Rockdale, Texas, with a capacity of 5 gigawatts for solar cells. This initiative, along with the partnership with Corning, is expected to create approximately 5,800 jobs. As Texas leads the nation in solar component facilities, the state's bipartisan support for renewable energy projects indicates a potential shift in the political landscape surrounding clean energy, despite ongoing challenges and uncertainties in the market.