Solar Made in the USA: Challenges, Future Scenarios, and Opportunities for PV + Storage Manufacturing & Strategies Under OBBB

September 08, 2025 | Las Vegas: A content-driven 1-day event format that will provide a platform for all stakeholders active and looking into solar manufacturing in the US. Gain a 360-degree view on manufacturing along the silicon value chain in 4 sessions (including 2 networking coffee breaks and a networking lunch).

Venue: Venetian Las Vegas, Palazzo Ballroom EF

Time: 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM

 

Solar Made in the USA : Challenges, Future Scenarios, and Opportunities for PV + Storage Manufacturing & Strategies Under OBBB

The second edition of the Solar Made in the USA conference, co-organized by EUPD Research, RE+, TaiyangNews, returns to offer a premier platform for stakeholders across the U.S. solar manufacturing value chain. Unlike the 2024 Solar Made In USA event, this year’s conferece is structured in two focused segments: the morning session explores the state and evolution of U.S. PV manufacturing, while the afternoon session addresses the entire solar system as well as quality and reliability in a rapidly changing policy and market environment.

In 2024, the U.S. solar industry was optimistic, buoyed by new fab announcements and favorable legislation. But in 2025, the landscape has shifted. A very different new policy framework under OBBB, global trade tensions, and a maturing domestic market pose very fundamental questions:

• What’s the future for U.S. solar and storage manufacturing?
• How can manufacturers thrive amid uncertainty?
• What are the mid- and long-term business opportunities?
• How can U.S. manufacturers compete on technology, quality, reliability, and cost?
• And how can industry leaders collaborate to help building a resilient, globally competitive manufacturing sector in the long-run?

This conference aims to answer these questions through in-depth discussions, expert insights, and collaborative strategy-building in an ever-changing environment.

 

Morning Session (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): U.S. PV Silicon-to-Module Manufacturing 2.0: Navigating the New Business Environment

This session provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of U.S. solar manufacturing—from silicon to module—featuring input from manufacturers, supply chain leaders, policymakers, and analysts. We’ll assess how companies are adapting to a complex new environment and explore where new opportunities lie.

Key Elements:

• 360° Market Analysis – Presentations from diverse stakeholders assessing the current business landscape for U.S. PV manufacturers
• Executive Roundtable: “Quo Vadis?” – Industry leaders, including key US manufacturers, discuss strategies for navigating the evolving manufacturing climate
• Technology Toolbox – What technologies are needed now to compete and scale in a policy-shifting, cost-sensitive world. Leading researchers, equipment and material suppliers share the lastest update on solar manufacturing technologies
• Scenario Discussion – Interactive session focused on identifying viable business paths amid policy and market uncertainty

 

Agenda |  Morning Session (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): U.S. PV Silicon-to-Module Manufacturing 2.0: Navigating the New Business Environment

8:00 AM | Welcome & Introduction 
Speaker: Michael Schmela, Managing Director, TaiyangNews, Shravan Chunduri, Head of Technology, TaiyangNews

8:10 AM | US Solar 2025: The new reality for solar manufacturing
Speaker: Stacy J. Ettinger, SVP Supply Chain & Trade, SEIA

8:20 AM | Scenarios for US solar manufacturing under OBBB
Speaker: John Smirnow, Principal, Smirnow Law

8:30 AM | How changes to tax credits and tariffs are reshaping the US solar supply chain and impacting domestic manufacturing
Speaker: Elissa Pierce, Solar Module Supply Chain Analyst, Wood Mackenzie

8:40 AM | Panel: How to save the US Solar Manufacturing Renaissance in today’s adversary policy environment
Speakers: Stacy J. Ettinger, SEIA; John Smirnow, Smirnow Law; Elissa Pierce, Wood Mackenzie

9:30 AM | Networking Break

10:00 AM | Cost Competitiveness of US Solar Manufacturing
Speaker: Prof. Peter Fath, CEO, RCT Solutions

10:10 AM | Global Solar Technology Trends – from Silicon to Modules
Speaker: Dr Radovan Kopecek, Head of Strategy, International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz

10:20 AM | High-Efficiency Cell Production Turnkey Lines for the US
Speaker: Kamel Ounadjela, Laplace

10:30 AM | Metallization: Cost Reduction & Perfomance Optimization for the Key Consumable of Solar Cell Production
Speaker: QJ Guo, CTO, Solamet Electronic Material

10:40 AM | Integrated PV Module Manufacturing for High Quality Products
Speaker: Xabier Otaño, Head of Sales, Mondragon Assembly

10:50 AM | Solar Module Packaging Solutions for 30+ Years Lifetimes
Speaker: TBA

11:00 AM | Panel Discussion: New Strategies for Solar Manufacturing in the USA
Speakers: Peter Fath, RCT Solutions; Adam Tesanovich, Talon PV; Jim Wood, SEG Solar; Alex Zhu, ES Foundry

 

 

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Building Resilience in the U.S. Solar + Energy Storage Value Chain

This four-hour interactive session explores how the U.S. solar and storage industries—including BOS providers, tracking manufacturers, and other critical stakeholders—can strengthen resilience across the full value chain amid rising uncertainty. From permitting delays and inflation to labor shortages and shifting policies, today’s pressures demand more agile, collaborative, and regionally responsive approaches. Participants will engage in strategic analysis, peer learning, and hands-on labs to develop practical tools and frameworks for navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.

Key Elements:

• Value Chain Mapping – Strategic overview of U.S. battery storage and BOS component manufacturing, integration, and supply chain outlook
• Expert Panel: Supply & Performance – Manufacturers, testing experts, and energy buyers share insights on sourcing strategies, quality assurance, and long-term system performance
• Strategy Labs – Peer learning session to co-design resilience frameworks, explore partnership models, and test go-to-market approaches
• Resilience Outcomes – Participants leave with practical tools, new business partnerships, and adaptive strategies to reduce risk and improve system stability

 

Agenda |  Afternoon Session (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Building Resilience in the U.S. Solar + Energy Storage Value Chain

1:00 PM | Keynote: “One Big Beautiful Bill” – The Real Impact on U.S. Solar & Storage
Speaker: Markus A.W. Hoehner, President & CEO, EUPD Group

1:30 PM | Regionalizing Supply Chains – How Local is Realistic?
Speaker: Youru Tan, Solar Analyst, BloombergNEF

1:50 PM | U.S. Solar + Storage Value Chain – Where Resilience Begins
Speaker: Mark Hagedorn, CEO, U.S. BESS Corp

2:10 PM | High-Level Panel: Sourcing, Reliability & System Value under Pressure
Speakers: Angela Amos, AES Clean Energy; Ray Long, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE); Mark Hagedorn, U.S. BESS Corp;
Youru Tan, BloombergNEF

3:00 PM | Networking Break 

3:30 PM | Quality under Pressure – Creating Robust Performance & Technology Trust
Speaker: TBA

3:50 PM | Navigating FEOC & Tax Credit Uncertainty: Designing Compliance-driven Models 
Speaker: Eric Vanderhoef, Attorney, Clean Energy Counsel

4:10 PM | Executive Visibility in a Connected Era: Leveraging Social Media to Strengthen Leadership and Shape Legacy
Speaker: Parag Bhamre, Partner, EUPD Group

4:30 PM | Executive Panel: Strategies for a Durable and Competitive U.S. Solar + Storage Sector
Speakers: Mark Bench, The Residential Solar Association; Eric Vanderhoef, Clean Energy Counsel; Ian MacLellan, Ubiquity Solar Inc.

 

 

Why Attend?

This is beyond a conventional conference—it is a collaborative strategy summit for companies shaping the future of solar manufacturing in the U.S. Whether you are a PV / storage manufacturer, supplier, investor, off taker or policymaker, this is where you will:

• Network with peers in US PV + Energy Storage manufacturing
• Gain strategic clarity on new business & regulatory environment, and technology developments
• Explore mid- and long-term business scenarios in a very challenging new business enviroment

 

Explore the detailed schedule for each session here:

 

Join us at RE+! The event is mutually organized by EUPD Research, RE+ and Taiyang News in the framework of the RE+ trade show happening from September 8-11, 2025 in Las Vegas. Check out the show and join the excitement: www.re-plus.com