Entrepreneurs wanting to get involved in the growing solar tech and innovations industry might find themselves drawn to Arizona and the Greater Phoenix area. With an average of 300 days of sunshine annually, it’s natural that global and local tech talent attracted to solar would be drawn to The Valley of the Sun. In a 2022 study conducted by the Environmental Arizona Research Policy & Center, Shining Cities: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy, Phoenix was ranked number seven for total installed solar photovoltaic capacity, dubbing it a “Solar Superstar.” Spurred on by the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022, and the Solar for All program in 2024 which received $156 million in federal funding, these programs lowered costs and made clean energy solutions like solar panels more accessible. The Inflation Reduction Act alone served as a catalyst for over $12 billion of investments in clean energy projects and the creation of over 18,000 new clean energy jobs in Arizona.
A year after the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, JA Solar became one of the first companies to announce a U.S. manufacturing location in Phoenix. This represented a $60 million investment by JA Solar, a solar cell and module manufacturer with more than 20 branches globally and products available in 135 regions around the world.
“There is no better place in the world for sustainable industries like solar and we are excited to see this facility add to Arizona’s clean energy reputation,” shared Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. In the same article, Sandra Wilson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority said, “JA Solar’s new facility showcases Arizona’s attractiveness as a global manufacturing destination.”
Some businesses are looking to the future and innovating new out-of-this-world possibilities for solar power; Solestial is one of these businesses. Founded by Stan Herasimenka and Mikhail Reginevich, Solestial operates out of Tempe, Arizona. The company produces a breakthrough silicon solar cell engineered for space, to self-cure radiation damage. The unique concept is designed to withstand up to 10 years in a variety of destinations in space. With space launch costs becoming more cost-effective, Solestial believes humans are at an exciting turning point in activity in space. But human ventures in space require more energy than ever.
According to Solestial’s website, Solestial will solve this critical [energy] problem by delivering space-optimized silicon photovoltaic technology at scale to power development in space. By using silicon, they are able to leverage the technological advancements made over the last several decades in the terrestrial silicon industry, while [Solestial’s] proprietary technology enables the company to upgrade silicon cells and packaging to withstand the rigors of space.
“We want people to have access to electricity in space with no limitations,” said Herasimenka.
From more traditional residential and municipal solar panels to space traveling aparatices, Arizona and the Greater Phoenix Area is becoming a destination for solar power and cleantech solutions for our future. As investments continue to flow in, this trend in industry is sure to continue as long as the sun shines in the desert.
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