Bila Solar collaborated with Origami Solar to add U.S.-made steel frames and cells to its 550W dual-glass modules, bolstering domestic content and supply chain resilience ahead of a 2026 rollout. The new steel-framed 550W module series will be presented at the upcoming RE+ trade show in Las Vegas from September 9-12.
Debuting at RE+, Bila's new 550W module series will present an innovative U.S.-made steel module frame that is a comparatively stronger alternative to aluminum-framed panels.
Bila Solar will present Origami Solar's U.S.-made steel frames as an alternative for its 550W dual-glass module series, which also includes a U.S.-manufactured solar cell. This combination gives customers higher domestic content, stronger eligibility for tax incentives, as well as better supply chain security.
The company’s new U.S.-made, steel-framed modules are manufactured to help developers weather market volatility by mitigating the impact of shifting tariffs with unpredictable price swings. In the wake of rising import prices, up 0.4% in July alone, and the rapid reshuffling of global solar supply chains, these new modules deliver the financial stability projects need, making them more attractive to investors and lenders.
Origami Solar aimed to highlight the value that a solar frame can provide to module manufacturers, developers, as well as solar asset owners. Bila's steel-framed modules provide customers with industry-leading module strength, innovative and proven anti-corrosion coatings, and a dramatically lower carbon footprint.
Executive Statement
According to Mick McDaniel, Vice President and General Manager of Bila Solar, this partnership unites the future of renewable energy with America's core manufacturing industry, furthering the goal of onshoring the U.S. solar supply chain and solving a real-world problem for customers. Their mission has always been to build a resilient domestic solar ecosystem. By integrating Origami's innovative and remarkably stronger steel frames and pairing them with U.S.-manufactured solar cells, they offer a stronger, more reliable module and with increased domestic content to facilitate access to the 10% domestic content bonus adder.
