Welcome Drinks
Join us for an informal networking reception to kick off the event. Collect your badge, connect with fellow attendees over drinks, and set the tone for the days ahead in a relaxed atmosphere.
Welcome Address
The Future of PV Manufacturing in the U.S.: Policy, Investment, and Market Growth Opportunities
Moderator
Moustafa Ramadan
This session will open the conference by introducing the rapidly evolving U.S. PV manufacturing landscape. It will explore key market trends, the future of tax credits, and the growing demand for domestically manufactured products fuelled by policy incentives and sustainability goals. Attendees will gain valuable insights from leading manufacturers and policy experts as they examine how government policies and strategic investments are driving industry growth and innovation. The session will also address the increasing overall demand for electricity and its implications for the PV market, laying the groundwork for in-depth discussions on the future of energy in the U.S.
Speakers
Alex Zhu
Thomas Koerner
The Next Chapter for U.S. Solar Policy: Incentives, Trade Actions and Market Response
Moderator
Philip Shen
With the latest Section 232 measures reshaping the U.S. solar landscape, what comes next for policy, incentives and trade? This panel will discuss how current measures are being received by the industry, what further changes could emerge from the White House and Administration, and where panellists believe policy is heading. What further trade actions might be expected, how could incentives evolve, and what will the implications be for U.S. solar manufacturing, supply chains and market growth?
Speakers
Mike Carr
Tom Beline
Nathan Picarsic
Nick Iacovella
Coffee Break
Building a Resilient PV Manufacturing Ecosystem: Poly to Module Integration in the U.S. Supply Chain
This session will focus on the critical need for integration across the U.S. PV manufacturing supply chain, from polysilicon production to module assembly. Participants will identify key gaps and opportunities at every stage of production, addressing strategies to strengthen domestic capabilities while tackling challenges such as supply bottlenecks, import reliance, and the need for advanced manufacturing technologies. Industry leaders and policy experts will discuss how targeted investments, policy support, and collaboration can drive the development of a robust and self-sufficient supply chain that enhances national energy security and competitiveness.
Speakers
Jade Jones
Ankit Singhal
Harsh Galia
What does a bankable U.S. PV supply chain look like?
Moderator
Teresa Barnes
As new manufacturing capacity comes online across the U.S. solar supply chain, the challenge is no longer simply building factories; it is earning the confidence of customers and investors. In this session we will hear directly from module buyers and financial stakeholders on the criteria they use to assess manufacturing partners, evaluate risk, and identify long-term winners. The discussion will examine technology differentiation, supply chain transparency, domestic content, bankability, and commercial readiness, providing a market-led perspective on what it takes to succeed in U.S. PV manufacturing.
Speakers
Jon Previtali
Sean Fallon
Juan Carlos Rosa
Henry Hieslmair
Networking Lunch
Securing the PV Supply Chain: Addressing Material Availability and Opportunities at Each Stage
This session will focus on strategies to strengthen the photovoltaic supply chain by addressing challenges in material availability and logistics. The session will identify strategic investment opportunities in domestic production capacity, supply chain infrastructure, and critical material processing that can enhance resilience and reduce import dependence. Participants will examine how diversified sourcing, advanced logistics planning, and targeted capital deployment are creating new market opportunities while ensuring supply chain stability.
Speakers
James Kim
Frank Faller
Balachander Krishnan
Marvin Yang
Connecting the Value Chain: How Supply Chain Partnerships Drive Manufacturing Growth
Moderator
Philip Shen
Solar manufacturing success depends on strong partnerships across the value chain. Bringing together experts from polysilicon, specialty materials, cell production and module manufacturing, this discussion will examine market dynamics, technology roadmaps, localisation efforts and the strategic collaboration required to support the next phase of industry growth.
Speakers
Martin Pochtaruk
Jesse Simons
Matt Card
Phil Rausch
Coffee Break
Ensuring Quality and Consistency: Building Confidence Across the Solar Value Chain
As PV manufacturing continues to scale, maintaining consistent quality has become essential to building confidence across the solar value chain. This session brings together experts in factory auditing, PV manufacturing and production equipment to explore the best practices that underpin high-quality, reliable products, from robust manufacturing processes and quality assurance to process optimisation and independent verification. Speakers will examine how manufacturers can improve consistency, reduce risk and strengthen the confidence of developers, investors and asset owners in the products entering the market.
Speakers
Don Cowan
Jenya Meydbray
Archon Lai
Networking Drinks
Join us for a networking event as Day One wraps up. Unwind after the conference sessions, reflect on the day’s insights, and connect with fellow attendees over drinks in a relaxed setting.
Hosted by

Venue Details: Barrelhouse is located at 305 California Dr, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States. This welcoming venue offers the perfect atmosphere to continue conversations sparked during the day’s sessions while enjoying refreshments in a comfortable environment.
Transportation: For your convenience, complimentary shuttle buses will be available to transport attendees from the conference venue directly to Barrelhouse and back.

How Space Solar is Driving the Next Generation of PV Innovation
Moderator
Markus Beck
Space-based solar power is moving from scientific ambition towards commercial reality, with governments, research organisations and industry investing in technologies capable of generating clean energy beyond Earth’s atmosphere. While deployment remains a long-term goal, the demands of space applications are accelerating innovation in high-efficiency cells, lightweight materials and advanced manufacturing techniques that could ultimately benefit terrestrial PV production.
Speakers
Chris Case
Timothy Siegler
Yao Y Lao
The Next Generation of Cell Technologies: Making the Right Technology Choices for U.S. Manufacturing
U.S. manufacturers and equipment suppliers are making critical technology decisions today that will shape the competitiveness of their factories for years to come. With TOPCon, heterojunction, back contact and tandem technologies developing at different rates, how can companies balance commercial readiness with future potential? This session will explore how manufacturers can future-proof technology investments against evolving IP landscapes, technology advancements, equipment flexibility and changing market requirements.
Speakers
Dr. N M Ravindra
Kamel Ounadjela
Nathan Kii Miller
Coffee Break
Innovation in PV Manufacturing: From Advanced Cell Technologies to Perovskite Commercialisation
Moderator
Jonathan Touriño Jacobo
This session will examine advancements in photovoltaic cell technology and their role in strengthening U.S.-based manufacturing and energy independence. Experts will discuss innovations in cell design, materials, and production techniques that drive efficiency improvements while identifying critical gaps and opportunities across the domestic supply chain. The session will evaluate which cell technologies and process innovations, including TOPCon, HJT, and emerging tandem/perovskite architectures, can deliver sustained cost advantages and margin resilience in a scale-dominated global market. The session will address technology bankability, intellectual property defensibility, and strategic upgrade pathways that position U.S. manufacturers for long-term competitiveness.
Speakers
Brett Hallam
Scott Wharton
Aaron Thurlow
Blake Martin
Innovation Forum: Technologies Shaping the Future of Photovoltaics
Moderator
Jonathan Touriño Jacobo
Innovation across the PV industry continues to accelerate, from advances in cell architectures and manufacturing processes to new materials, digital technologies and emerging applications. This session brings together innovators from across the PV value chain to showcase the technologies with the potential to improve performance, reduce costs and unlock new markets.
Speakers
Dana Hankey
Jason May
Richard Rast
Networking Lunch
The Next Generation of Cell Technologies: Which Architectures Will Define the 2030s?
What will define the next generation of solar cell technology through the 2030s? This session will explore the evolution from PERC to n-type architectures and the technology roadmap ahead, with presentations covering next-generation TOPCon, back contact and emerging contact technologies. Drawing on research institute expertise, speakers will examine technology pathways, performance and manufacturing potential, alongside IP ownership and licensing considerations that could shape which architectures progress towards commercialisation.
Speakers
Radovan Kopecek
Paul Stradins
Coffee Break
Building the Next Generation of PV Factories: Lessons Learned from the Manufacturing Front Line
As the global manufacturing landscape evolves, success increasingly depends on making the right technology, equipment and process decisions from the outset. This afternoon is dedicated to sharing practical manufacturing expertise, lessons learned and real-world experiences from across the industry.
What does a state-of-the-art cell manufacturing line look like today? How should manufacturers evaluate technology choices, line configuration and automation strategies when planning new capacity? This session explores the critical decisions involved in designing efficient, scalable and future-ready production facilities, drawing on experience from research institutes, manufacturing consultants and cell producers.
Speakers
Markus Beck
Teresa Barnes
Sebastian Nold
The Manufacturing Exchange: Audience Led Discussion
Technical delegates often have questions they are reluctant to ask publicly. Throughout the conference, attendees will be invited to submit anonymous manufacturing questions via a dedicated Slido platform. Questions will be displayed live in the networking area, with delegates able to vote for the issues they most want addressed. The highest-priority topics will form the basis of this unique closing session.
This discussion is designed to provide honest, practical advice from some of the industry’s leading manufacturing experts, creating an open forum for addressing real-world challenges that rarely feature in traditional conference presentations.
Speakers
Teresa Barnes
Markus Beck
Sebastian Nold
Closing Market Outlook: What’s next for Global PV Manufacturing
Bringing together the key themes from the conference, this closing presentation will examine the latest manufacturing trends, capacity outlook, technology developments and investment activity shaping the global PV industry based on data from PV Tech Market Research.