Solar & Storage – Made in the USA
Date: Wednesday, November 18
Time: Session 1: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Session 2: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Solar & Storage – Made in the USA returns at a defining moment for domestic manufacturing. The conversation has moved beyond capacity announcements to what can actually be delivered at scale across solar and battery production. New rules around domestic content, foreign entity restrictions, and trade are reshaping how products are built and sourced, while cost, technology, and supply chain depth continue to define competitiveness.
This event brings together manufacturers, equipment and materials suppliers, developers, EPCs, utilities, investors, and policymakers for a practical view of how U.S.-based production is evolving. It is designed for anyone with a stake in how solar and storage products are manufactured, sourced, and deployed. The focus is on building a competitive domestic supply chain – and understanding how manufacturing decisions translate into real demand, bankability, and long-term growth across residential, commercial and industrial, and utility-scale markets.
- Gain a clear view of how U.S. solar and storage manufacturing is evolving—and what it means for your business
- Understand how policy, trade, and domestic content rules impact sourcing, cost, and competitiveness
- Learn what buyers, developers, and investors look for when selecting domestically manufactured products
- Connect manufacturing decisions with real-world project success across residential, C&I, and utility-scale markets
Hosted by:
Sponsored by:
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
Morning Session (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM):
The latest developments and strategic outlook for US PV manufacturing along the solar module value chain
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 latest update on solar manufacturing technologies
- Scenario Discussion – Interactive session focused on identifying viable business paths amid policy and market uncertainty
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
Morning Session Schedule (as of 9/2/2025)
8:00 am – 12:00 pm | The latest developments and strategic outlook for US PV manufacturing along the solar module value chain
Part 1: Policy Frameworks & Reasons to Continue US PV Manufacturing Projects
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am - 8:10 am | Welcome & Introduction | Michael Schmela, Managing Director, TaiyangNews, Shravan Chunduri, Head of Technology, TaiyangNews | |
| 8:10 am - 8:20 am | US Solar 2025: The new reality for solar manufacturing | Stacy J. Ett inger, SVP Supply Chain & Trade, SEIA | |
| 8:20 am - 8:30 am | Scenarios for US solar manufacturing under OBBB | John Smirnow, Principal, Smirnow Law | |
| 8:30 am - 8:40 am | How changes to tax credits and tariffs are reshaping the US solar supply chain and impacting domestic manufacturing | Elissa Pierce, Solar Module Supply Chain Analyst , Wood Mackenzie | |
| 8:40 am - 9:30 am | Panel: How to save the US Solar Manufacturing Renaissance in today ’s adversary policy environment | Moderators: Christan Roselund, CEA; Michael Schmela, TaiyangNews, Panelists: Stacy J. Ettinger, SEIA; John Smirnow, Smirnow Law; Elissa Pierce, Wood Mackenzie | |
Coffee Networking – 9:30 am – 10:00 am
Part 2: Ingot / Wafer / Cell Production Equipment & Materials
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 am - 10:10 am | Cost Competitiveness of US Solar Manufacturing | Prof. Peter Fath, CEO, RCT Solutions | |
| 10:10 am - 10:20 am | Global Solar Technology Trends – from Silicon to Modules | Dr. Radovan Kopecek, Head of Strategy, International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz | |
| 10:20 am - 10:30 am | Powering Solar's Future: LAPLACE Manufacturing Solutions for n-Type High-Efficiency Solar Cells | Kamel Ounadjela, General Manager, International Business Unit, LAPLACE Renewable Energy, | |
| 10:30 am - 10:40 am | Metallization: Cost Reduction & Performance Optimization for the Key Consumable of Solar Cell Production | QJ Guo, CTO, Solamet Electronic Material | |
| 10:40 am - 10:50 am | Integrated PV Module Manufacturing for High Quality Products | Xabier Otaño, Head of Sales, Mondragon Assembly | |
| 10:50 am - 11:00 am | Solar Module Packaging Solutions for 30+ Years Lifetimes | ||
Part 3: Panel Discussion: New Strategies for
Solar Manufacturing in the USA
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Panel Discussion: New Strategies for Solar Manufacturing in the USA | Moderators: Michael Schmela, TaiyangNews; Christan Roselund, CEA | Panelists: Prof. Dr. Peter Fath, CEO, RCT Solutions Adam Tesanovich, CEO, Talon PV Jim Wood, CEO, SEG Solar Alex Zhu, CEO, ES Foundry, Matt Card, President & Chief Operating Officer, Suniva, Martin Pochtaruk, President, Heliene |
Afternoon Session Schedule (as of 9/2/2025)
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Building Resilience in the U.S. Solar + Energy Storage Value Chain
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Keynote: "One Big Beautiful Bill" – The Real Impact on U.S. Solar & Storage | Markus Hoehner, President & CEO, EUPD Group | |
| 1:30 pm - 1:50 pm | Regionalizing Supply Chains – How Local is Realistic? | Youru Tan, Solar Analyst, BloombergNEF | |
| 1:50 pm - 2:10 pm | U.S. Solar + Storage Value Chain – Where Resilience Begins | Mark Hagedorn, CEO, U.S. BESS Corp | |
| 2:10 pm - 3:00 pm | High-Level Panel: Sourcing, Reliability & System Value under Pressure | Angela Amos, AES Clean Energy; Mark Hagedorn, U.S. BESS Corp; Ray Long, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE); Jenya Meydbray, Nevados; Youru Tan, BloombergNEF | |
Networking Break – 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:30 pm - 3:50 pm | Quality under Pressure – Creating Robust Performance & Technology Trust | Terry Jester, Kiwa PI Berlin LLC | |
| 3:50 pm - 4:10 pm | Navigating FEOC & Tax Credit Uncertainty: Designing Compliance-driven Models | Eric Vanderhoef, Attorney, Clean Energy Counsel | |
| 4:10 pm - 4:30 pm | Executive Visibility in a Connected Era: Leveraging Social Media to Strengthen Leadership and Shape Legacy | Parag Bhamre, Partner, EUPD Group | |
| 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Executive Panel: Strategies for a Durable and Competitive U.S. Solar + Storage Sector | Mark Bench, The Residential Solar Association; Jake Edie, Clean Energy Associates; Janny Gandhi, Clean Energy Counsel; Grayson Maurer, Stäubli North America | |
Networking Lunch – 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Session 3: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Module Production Equipment & Materials
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30 pm - 1:45 pm | Solutions for Turnkey Solar Module Assembly Lines | Martin Ma, Sales Director, ConfirmWare Technology |  | |||
| 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm | PV Module Manufacturing Integrated Solutions | Paulo Rocha, International Sales Director, Autowell |  | |||
| 2:00 pm - 2:15 pm | Comprehensive Packaging Solutions for Solar Modules: A Complete Overview | Steve Akey, Sales Director of NA Market, Hangzhou First |  | |||
| 2:15 pm - 2:30 pm | Fully Automatic European Turnkey Lines for PV panels | Laura Sartore, Managing Director, Ecoprogetti |  | |||
| 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm | Panel: What 's Still Needed to Build A True Local Crystalline Module Supply Chain | - Jim Wood, CEO, SEG Solar - Nadeem Haque, CTO, Heliene - Hitesh Doshi, Chariman, Waaree Technologies |  | |||
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Coffee Networking – 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Session 4: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Opportunities & Barriers for Solar Made in U.S.
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm | Deep Dive Assessment of Top Solar States & Inflation Reduction Act Outcomes | Markus, A.W. Hoehner, President & CEO, EUPD Research |  |
| 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm | Theory & Reality: Successfully Establishing Cell & Module Production Fabs in the U.S. | Thomas Koerner, Corporate Sr. Vice President, Canadian Solar |  |
| 4:00 pm - 4:15 pm | Navigating the Green Deal: IRA Launch Successes, Challenges, and Future Scenarios | John Smirnow, Principal, Smirnow Law |  |
| 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm | Supply Chain Issues for the U.S. Solar Manufacturing Industry | Elissa Pierce, Solar Module Supply Chain Analyst, Wood Mackenzie |  |
| 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Panel Kick-off: Opportunities & Barriers for Solar Made in U.S. | Phil Shen, Managing Director, Roth Capital |  |