Trade,Tech & Environment
The solar industry develops cutting-edge technology and is part of a fast-growing global marketplace. The global trade and environmental impacts of these technologies are a key element of growth and a major focus at SEIA.
Solar Energy Overview
Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. The U.S. solar market is growing rapidly as the industry scales up new innovative technologies and drives down manufacturing and installation costs. There are several ways to harness solar energy: photovoltaics, solar heating & cooling, concentrating solar power, and passive solar.
Solar Technologies
There are three primary technologies by which solar energy is commonly harnessed: photovoltaics (PV), which directly convert light to electricity; concentrating solar power (CSP), which uses heat from the sun (thermal energy) to drive utility-scale, electric turbines; and heating and cooling systems, which collect thermal energy to provide hot water and air conditioning.
Solar + Storage
Storage is playing a revolutionary role in the further advancement of solar. States with higher storage penetrations will lead an unmistakable trend in the solar industry.
International Trade
SEIA supports fair and free trade of solar equipment to grow the American solar industry, which is strengthening our national security and driving local and national economic growth.
Environment & Sustainability
Solar technologies offer a number of environmental benefits, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and waste over fuel-based energy sources. Climate change, sustainability and recycling are all concerns of the solar industry. SEIA and our members are taking steps to ensure environmental issues are considered throughout the lifecycle of solar products.
Related News
Statement on Claims of Forced Labor in the Solar Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):
New York, Come on Down: The Carbon Price is Right
Right before the New Year and with very little fanfare, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) released final guidance for calculating the social cost of carbon.
Solar Market Forges Ahead in Q3 as Residential Installations Recover and Utility-Scale Pipeline Grows
WASHINGTON, D.C. and HOUSTON, TX — U.S. solar companies installed 3.8 gigawatts (GW) of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Q3 2020, a 9% increase from Q2 installations as the industry experienced a recovery from the worst impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.