Environment and Energy

Origami Solar keeps supply chain domestic with three US fabricators
Written by Ethan Bernard
June 24, 2024
Origami Solar has partnered with three US steel fabricators to prioritize a domestic supply chain for its solar frames.
The three firms are Priefert of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; Welser Profile of Valley City, Ohio; and Unimacts of Houston.
The Bend, Ore.-based solar panel company said this will help it to ship steel solar frames to customers in Q1’25. Additionally, Origami said that this US-based supply chain means frames can get from the fabricator to the module manufacturer in one to two days.
“Thanks to our newly announced partnerships and all-domestic supply chain, there is simply no reason for the solar industry to accept the enormous risk that comes with imported aluminum frames,” Origami Solar CEO Gregg Patterson said in a statement on June 20.
Origami noted that steel solar frames “withstand greater module load levels and have 90% less embodied carbon than comparable aluminum frames.”
Rocky Christenberry, Priefert’s EVP, said, “Thanks to our partnership with Origami, we were able to expand our investments in the solar industry, keep our Benton, Ark., facility open, keep our current employees hard at work, and expand to up to 70 additional skilled workers over the next three years.”

Ethan Bernard
Read more from Ethan BernardLatest in Environment and Energy

Global Steel Climate Council certifies eight SDI, ASA HR products
GSCC certifies eight products from Steel Dynamics and Arkansas Steel Associates.

June energy market update
In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels. Trends in energy prices and rig counts serve as leading indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and line pipe demand.

EPA deregulation proposals win praise from steel advocates
Two industry groups are applauding two EPA proposals that would support domestic steel production.

Met coal receives critical materials status
The US Department of Energy (DOE) adds metallurgical coal to the nation’s list of Critical Materials, following its designation by US Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright’s announcement on May 22.

May energy market update
An analysis of the North American energy market in May.