A coalition of U.S. solar manufacturers, including First Solar, Convalt Energy, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Silicon, and Swift Solar, has petitioned the federal government to impose tariffs on imports of solar cells and modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The companies allege that these countries are flooding the U.S. market with cheap products that are subsidized by their governments, which is hurting the domestic industry.
The petition has divided the U.S. solar industry, with manufacturers such as First Solar supporting tariffs and the Solar Energy Industries Association opposing them. The Solar Energy Industries Association argues that tariffs would raise prices, reduce installations, and hurt jobs.
The ITC and Commerce Department investigations will take about 12 months to conclude. The soonest tariffs could be imposed is after the Commerce Department makes a preliminary determination, which will take about four to six months.
The petition is the latest in a series of trade disputes between the U.S. and China over solar energy. In 2018, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on solar cells and modules imported from China. Those tariffs were later reduced, but they remain in place.
The Biden administration has not yet taken a position on the petition. However, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said that the administration would not rule out imposing tariffs on subsidized clean energy exports from China.
The outcome of the petition will have a significant impact on the U.S. solar industry. If tariffs are imposed, it will make it more expensive for U.S. companies to import solar cells and modules. This could lead to higher prices for solar panels and systems, which could slow the adoption of solar energy in the U.S.
However, if tariffs are not imposed, it will allow U.S. companies to continue to import cheap solar cells and modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This could help to keep prices low and accelerate the adoption of solar energy in the U.S.
