Economy

Origami Solar Steel Frames Could Aid US Industry
May 23, 2023
Bend, Oregon-based Origami Solar has announced its Gen 2 steel module frame, which can be sourced from domestic steelmakers.
The solar panel company said the steel solar module frame represents “a game-changing opportunity to disrupt high-risk Asian supply chains.” It can achieve this by leveraging US steel resources to end the solar industry’s reliance on imported aluminum.
Sourcing domestic steel frames can lower costs, create jobs, and tap into domestic content incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the company added.
“Origami Solar steel module frames will help accelerate our energy independence, significantly reduce the solar industry’s carbon footprint, and enable unconstrained local-region panel production,” Gregg Patterson, CEO of Origami Solar, said in a press release on Monday.
The company noted the frames will reduce production-related greenhouse gases by up to 93%. This represents a reduction of 80 kilograms per module, or 200 metric tons per megawatt (MW), through the use of recycled, or “green steel,” according to the release.
Origami Solar said Gen 2 production-ready frames are now available for evaluation testing by module makers and key partners across the solar value chain.
By Ethan Bernard, ethan@steelmarketupdate.com
Latest in Economy

ISM: Manufacturing expansion loses steam after two months of growth
US manufacturing activity slowed in March after two straight months of expansion, according to supply executives contributing to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)’s latest report.

Chicago Business Barometer rose to 16-month high in March
The Chicago Business Barometer increased for the third-consecutive month in March. Despite this, it still reflects contracting business conditions, as it has since December 2023.

Durable goods orders rise again in February
Transportation equipment led the increase, rising 1.5% to $98.3 billion.

Consumer confidence falls for fourth consecutive month
People remain concerned about inflation, trade policies, and tariffs.

Housing starts ticked up in February
Single-family starts last month hit a rate of 1.10 million, a month-over-month increase of 11.4%, census data shows.