GSA Examines How to Bring 'Federal Buying Power' to Supercharge Solar Panel Market
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The agency’s request for information will help it develop a procurement strategy, including a standard for future solicitations.
As part of federal government efforts to promote domestic clean-energy technology, the General Services Administration issued a request for information on Monday to learn more about the availability of American-made solar photovoltaic panels and components.
GSA seeks this information to learn about how the agency can encourage domestic manufacturing of PV panels through federal procurement, as part of ongoing efforts to decarbonize the electric grid and secure a domestic clean energy supply chain.
“Today’s action seeking input from industry is a prime example of how we’re harnessing federal buying power to catalyze clean energy innovation and spur domestic manufacturing,” GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said.
This information will help GSA create a procurement strategy, which could include a standard for future solicitations requiring the use of PV panels and components. GSA’s action supports several executive orders and other administration initiatives, such as those ensuring federal procurement supports domestic production, supporting America’s supply chains and catalyzing clean energy through federal investment.
“Today’s step towards domestic clean energy manufacturing is yet another example of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to ensuring our clean energy future is built here in America by American workers,” Celeste Drake, director of the Made in America Office, said. “Investing in solar panels that are made in America would deliver on President [Joe] Biden’s whole-of-government procurement strategy to create more green jobs here in America as we combat the climate crisis.”
“Clean energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics play a critical role in our strategy to modernize the electric power system,” Andrew Mayock, federal chief sustainability officer, said.
The agency’s request comes after President Biden urged the development of new agreements for domestically manufactured solar power systems including giving solar manufacturing “super preference” status by invoking the Defense Production Act. The goal of these actions is to propel American clean energy manufacturing, lower energy costs and create good-paying jobs.
GSA requested information on the state of the marketplace and how to achieve the aforementioned goals, as well as what the agency should consider as it works on a possible procurement standard.
Responses are due Nov. 18, after which GSA will work on a timeline for next steps.