Bill Overview
Title: Reclaiming the Solar Supply Chain Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a program that awards grants and direct loans to support a solar component manufacturing supply chain. Under the program, manufacturers and other eligible entities must use grants and loans for (1) constructing new facilities that manufacture solar components; and (2) retooling, retrofitting, or expanding existing facilities that manufacture solar components.
Sponsors: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: people working in or served by the solar energy and manufacturing industries
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The solar energy sector workforce will be directly impacted as the bill targets manufacturing of solar components.
- The construction industry, particularly those specializing in industrial facilities, will see demand for new construction projects.
- Communities where new solar manufacturing facilities are established may experience economic benefits, which can impact hundreds to thousands locally per facility.
- The global solar energy production and supply industry is intertwined, with impacts likely extending to international partners and suppliers.
- Increased manufacturing of solar components in the US could affect global supply chain dynamics, potentially reducing reliance on imports.
Reasoning
- The solar energy and manufacturing industries will see direct impacts, with increased job opportunities and industry growth.
- Construction and retrofitting jobs will arise, benefiting the construction industry and local economies where facilities are built.
- Communities near new manufacturing plants will experience economic impacts, potentially increasing local employment rates and economic activity.
- Global dynamics may shift due to reduced reliance on imports, affecting international partners and supply chains.
- Some groups, like those outside the solar or construction industries, may experience indirect effects or none at all.
Simulated Interviews
Solar panel engineer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could create more jobs in my field.
- I hope it leads to more technological advancements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Construction manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could bring more projects and stability.
- Construction business is always affected by new industrial policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Factory worker (Charleston, WV)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If new factories open nearby, it could mean a stable job for me.
- Right now, the local job market is not strong.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Software developer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I probably won’t be directly affected by this policy.
- More green energy could be good for everyone, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Environmental policy analyst (Seattle, WA)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with the transition towards renewable energy.
- Could shift the economic landscape positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate student (Madison, WI)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More focus on renewable energy is encouraging for my future career.
- I'm hopeful this policy creates more research opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired automotive worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might boost the local economy in manufacturing towns.
- I might not be directly impacted, but others in the community might benefit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small business owner (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If there’s more domestic manufacturing, it might lower my supply costs.
- This could help my business grow.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Community organizer (Portland, OR)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Community development is key, and this policy could support that.
- I support initiatives that create sustainable, long-term employment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Solar energy consultant (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a chance to strengthen the domestic solar sector.
- Could mean more projects and consultations for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1550000000 (Low: $1350000000, High: $1850000000)
Year 3: $1600000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $1900000000)
Year 5: $1700000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2000000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The scale of investment required for substantial manufacturing capacity expansion.
- Potential international trade implications of increasing US domestic solar production.
- Technological advancements and shifts in solar component manufacturing processes.
- Regulatory and permitting processes that could influence project timelines.