Swalwell Champions Bill to Create Solar Manufacturing Jobs in America

Press Release

This week, Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) joined Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) in introducing the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act to help bring solar panel manufacturing back to America, create good-paying jobs and free the U.S. from dependence on foreign solar panel manufacturers like China.

The Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act (SEMA) would provide tax credits for American manufacturers at every stage of the solar manufacturing supply chain, from polysilicon production to solar cells to fully assembled solar modules. The bill would create tens of thousands of American solar jobs, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Currently, China dominates the solar supply chain because of unfair trade practices like using forced and slave labor by Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

"To compete on the global stage with countries like China, we need to ensure a reliable and stable supply of solar panels by supporting domestic solar manufacturing at every stage of the supply chain," said Swalwell. "I'm proud to help introduce this legislation, which is one of our best opportunities to create good-paying jobs, improve our infrastructure, and tackle climate change."

Congressman Swalwell has fought to enhance the U.S. energy sector's domestic supply of critical elements and protect the U.S. from China's manipulative trade policies, which put American jobs and industry at risk.

Among many companies supporting the bill is Nextracker, a Fremont, Calif.-based company that makes systems which let solar panels track the sun across the sky for optimum energy production.

"Nextracker emphatically endorses the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act. The U.S. solar industry currently imports much of its equipment from overseas. This important legislation will generate thousands of American manufacturing jobs to boost the clean energy economy," said Nextracker CEO and founder, Dan Shugar.

The legislation is also endorsed by the following organizations: Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Audobon, Solar Energy Industry Association, Hemlock Semiconductor, REC Silicon, CubicPV, Swift Solar Leading Edge Equipment Technologies, Caelux Corporation, Ultra Low Carbon Solar Alliance, Mission Solar, Q CELLS and Yaskawa Solectria Solar.

The Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act was introduced in the U.S. House by Congressman Dan Kildee and co-sponsored by Congressman Eric Swalwell. It was also introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and co-sponsored by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in the U.S. Senate.

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