Keeling Curve

Primary Project Category:

Secondary Project Category:

Project Summary / Description:

The founders of Origami Solar have a long history of developing PV solar mounting solutions, with several products manufactured and sold in the US and abroad. As such, the founders are particularly aware of and focused on finding niches within the industry where significant opportunities exist for major product improvements. The PV module frame has been made from extruded aluminum for over 50 years, with no significant improvements to its environmental impact or cost. Meanwhile, the PV industry has lowered the installed cost per Watt of PV modules by over 90%. 
In 2018, the Origami Solar team saw a huge opportunity to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while also reducing cost by changing the PV module frame material from aluminum to steel. Origami Solar completed initial engineering and patent submittals in June 2019. In June 2020, Origami Solar submitted for international patents. By August 2020, Origami Solar, Inc. was formed. Origami Solar closed our first funding round January 2021 and hired a world-class team of solar and intellectual property experts.
Customers who switch from an aluminum frame to Origami Solar‚ steel frame can expect to reduce GHG emissions from frame manufacturing by 80-90% and reduce the installed cost of their modules by up to $0.03/W.

Regions of Operations:

Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

The US solar industry has grown dramatically over the past 20 years, and now employs 230,000 Americans, more than the entire fossil fuel industry. This growth has been the direct result of the cost of solar generated energy dropping as the cost of materials and installation has dropped. Since 2000, the cost of solar panels has reduced by over 90%, driving the number of installations up by 40% year on year since 2000. The cost of a solar panel is inextricably linked to the level of employment making and installing solar systems. In addition, employment in the solar industry has been very diverse. According to the National Solar Jobs Census 2020 (https://www.seia.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/National-Solar-Jobs-Census-2020-FINAL.pdf), solar employment continues to lead the way in diversity. Here are some salient statistics from the census.
Women in solar grew from 26% to 30% of the workforce. 
Since 2015, solar industry employment has increased by 
o 39% for women,
o 92% for Hispanic or Latino workers, 
o 18% for Asian workers, 
o 73% for Black or African American workers, 
o 19% for veterans, and
o workers who are members of labor unions now stands at 10.3%.

Origami Solar technology will reduce the cost of PV modules, leading directly to increased manufacturing, development, installations and maintenance. This increase will result in more hiring of historically under-represented groups.

Sub-Categories: