Trump Revokes Biden’s Defence Production Act Support for US Solar Manufacturing

In a sweeping rollback of Biden-era policies, US President Donald Trump has revoked an executive order that allowed the use of Defence Production Act (DPA) funds to support domestic solar PV manufacturing. The decision eliminates DPA eligibility for solar modules, module components, electrolysers, fuel cells, and electric heat pumps.

Biden first invoked the DPA in June 2022, granting the Department of Energy (DOE) authority to support domestic manufacturing of solar technologies, which were deemed essential to national defence.

Since then, US solar manufacturing has expanded significantly, with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reporting that US module manufacturing capacity surpassed 50 GW in 2024, enough to meet annual domestic demand.

Despite growth in module assembly, US solar cell manufacturing lags behind, leaving most manufacturers reliant on imported cells. Industry experts argue that further investment in domestic cell, wafer, and polysilicon production is critical for energy independence.

Trump’s decision could make it more challenging to expand the upstream solar supply chain, raising concerns over long-term US solar manufacturing competitiveness and energy security.