Domestic content is now a buzzword in solar, thanks to the U.S. manufacturing incentives and the 10% domestic content investment tax credit adder included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Much of the focus has been on solar module manufacturing, but solar inverter manufacturing in the United States has been practically nonexistent — until today.
Enphase Energy is now rolling out IQ Microinverters from a facility in Columbia, S.C., produced by global manufacturer Flex. This marks the first production from one of Enphase Energy’s three contract manufacturing partnerships in the United States.
To mark the occasion, Enphase Energy and Flex are hosting a kickoff event and tour that will include an appearance from President Joe Biden. You can catch the livestream right here, starting at 1:15 p.m. ET
The initial guidance from the Department of Treasury on the domestic content tax adder requirements was a bit complex. At least 40% of the costs of the manufactured products and components of manufactured products that comprise a facility must come from products and components that were mined, produced or manufactured in the United States. This is expected to increase to 55% after 2026.
Adding U.S.-made microinverters to the equation for the first time will certainly help. Enphase credits the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has enabled Enphase Energy to begin manufacturing in the United States, creating new jobs and advancing the country’s clean energy economy.
“Enphase shares our commitment to accelerating the world’s transition to clean energy through advanced
technology and strategic regional manufacturing,” said Revathi Advaithi, CEO of Flex. “We thank Enphase for their 15-year partnership to deliver their IQ Microinverters to market faster and at scale globally with reliable, sustainable business practices. We also thank President Biden and the U.S. Congress for the Inflation Reduction Act, which has increased interest and demand for clean technology and American manufacturing, as evidenced by today’s announcement with Enphase.”
“We are pleased that President Biden is able to visit our manufacturing operations at Flex’s factory in South Carolina today, and we appreciate his support of U.S. companies investing in domestic manufacturing,” said Badri Kothandaraman, president and CEO of Enphase Energy. “Enphase is proud to be a leader in expanding the domestic manufacturing of clean energy products while bringing high-technology jobs and further economic development to the United States. We thank Flex for its commitment as a valuable partner globally over the past 15 years, and we are pleased to expand our partnership in the United States to better service our customers with local manufacturing.”
About the IQ 8 Microinverter
IQ8 Microinverters are UL Listed as PV Rapid Shut Down Equipment and have more than 1 million cumulative hours of power-on testing. IQ8 also unlocks new backup power opportunities for customers and sales avenues for installers. In addition to providing sunlight backup for the first time ever, typical storage sizing and ratio restrictions no longer apply with IQ8. Installers can add a range of battery sizes to customers’ homes and expand their systems over time as needed.
- Grid-forming microinverter with proprietary microchip makes sunlight backup possible for the first time and eliminates constraints on battery sizing for home energy systems;
- Split-phase power conversion capability efficiently converts DC power to AC power;
- Included Q-DCC-2 adapter cable with MC4 connectors supports quick PV module connections;
- Warranty of up to 25 years;
- UL Listed as PV Rapid Shut Down Equipment.
— Solar Builder magazine
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