ACI Materials Will Launch Solar Silver Paste in 2026
The company plans to restore domestic production of critical solar materials to support U.S. cell manufacturing.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Materials Science
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ACI Materials will begin the domestic production of solar silver paste for the United States market by early Q4 2026. This initiative aims to bolster local manufacturing capacity and provide suppliers with alternatives to international trade restrictions.
Why it matters
Domestic production addresses the loss of U.S. silver paste manufacturing capacity and mitigates risks associated with import tariffs. By localizing supply chains, manufacturers can reduce their reliance on global solar manufacturing dominance centered in China.
The firm operates using desk-sized machines that utilize cavitation to form and collapse vacuum bubbles for production. Each unit outputs 10 metric tonnes of silver material annually, with a portfolio of 31 patents across five families.
The players
ACI Materials
This company develops specialized silver materials for the solar industry and holds 31 issued patents.
Capital K
This investment firm provided the capital necessary for ACI Materials to expand its domestic production capacity.
Dana Hankey
As a representative of ACI Materials, she is scheduled to speak regarding industry advancements at a major solar technology conference.
The details
ACI Materials utilizes modular equipment to establish production sites near solar manufacturers, aiming to cut paste consumption by 30% compared to existing alternatives. Following the initial product launch, the company plans to expand its development efforts to include products for TOPCon and perovskite tandem cells.
Timeline
ACI Materials will launch its PERC solar cell silver paste in early Q4 2026.
Dana Hankey will discuss the company's progress at the PV CellTech USA conference in October 2026.
The Big Picture
This development follows the ongoing shift toward domestic solar manufacturing to circumvent trade restrictions. ACI Materials' localized production model directly follows the trend of onshoring critical supply chain components.
The availability of domestic silver paste could lead to more stable pricing and supply for U.S. solar panel manufacturers. This shift may reduce the cost of solar energy production by lowering reliance on imported components subject to tariffs.
The takeaway
Restoring domestic material production capacity can insulate the U.S. solar market from the volatility of international trade policies. Manufacturers should monitor how these modular production methods impact long-term supply chain resilience.
Further reading
For more information on innovations in the industry, visit the Materials Science section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PV Tech.
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