Patterson: Steel solar frames cut embodied emissions by 90% versus aluminum
Greg Patterson · Why ditching aluminum is key to securing the US solar supply chain · Jun 13, 2024 · at 10:25
Greg Patterson outlines the environmental benefits of substituting imported aluminum solar module frames with steel frames.
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“We knew it would be material, but we never realized it would be a 90% reduction over imported aluminum frames, and it's not just the transit from Asia to the US or Europe. It truly is just that aluminum is an insanely dirty metal”
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More from Greg Patterson
Origami Solar CEO: Steel is superior to aluminum for solar frame applications
“And steel's inherent fatigue resistance, higher strength it's truly just a better metal than aluminum for a steel frame application.”
Patterson: Origami Solar does not need tariffs to build a business case
“Origami doesn't need the tariffs to build a business case.”
Patterson: 98% of solar module aluminum frame supply comes from Asia
“In our three years of actively engaging the market, we found just one crystal and silicon module maker that wasn't dependent on Asian-based aluminum frames.
So it is 98% of the supply is coming out of Asia.
Most of it's China.”
Patterson: Tracker Makers Concluded Steel Frame Weight Gain Is Immaterial
“We've talked to virtually every major tracker company, and the increase in weight is basically the conclusion that's immaterial. There's more project and site-related variables than the weight gain that has to be addressed.”
Patterson: Module frames and glass are largest domestic content components after cells
“Well, it's material. The only thing bigger like I say, let's say we're a tie with a glass. The only thing bigger is the solar cells. And so, if you look at what is the easiest low-hanging fruit to drive a material increase it's the frame.”