Solar panel maker Heliene and steel solar panel frame maker Origami Solar have partnered to offer US-made, steel-framed solar panels in North America.
Starting in April 2025, Heliene’s 144 and 156 half-cut bifacial modules will be available with Origami Solar’s steel frames alongside existing aluminum options. The move aims to make solar panels stronger, more affordable, and less reliant on imported materials in the face of the Trump administration’s plans to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports beginning March 12, 2025.
Origami Solar’s steel frames provide notable advantages over traditional aluminum ones. They’re stronger, making them more resilient against extreme weather. Additionally, since the frames are produced domestically, they help avoid supply chain disruptions and additional import costs. The shift to steel also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the panels, with over a 90% decrease in embodied carbon compared to foreign aluminum frames.
Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of Heliene, says that Origami’s steel frames are “affordable and sustainable.” He continued:
This partnership aligns with our mission to strengthen the domestic solar supply chain while optimizing product value and minimizing environmental impact. We’re proud to offer steel frames as an option for customers seeking these benefits.
Heliene, which is headquartered in Canada and has a solar panel factory in Minnesota, is doubling down on US manufacturing partnerships, recently working with SOLARCYCLE for recycled glass, Suniva for US-made silicon solar cells, and NorSun for US-made silicon wafers.
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