U.S. trade authorities provide details on exemptions to solar import tariffs
PV makers seeking exemptions to Section 201 duties must make them by March 16, but there is no guarantee that any will be granted.
Prognosis uncertain
American solar manufacturing: President Trump’s relatively measured 201 ruling surprised many. And while there are already reports of new hiring and expansions by U.S. module makers, the new tariffs will not be enough for a major revival of the sector.
Report: Chinese module imports climbed sharply in Q4
1,200%. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, that’s how high imports of Chinese modules rose in the fourth quarter last year in a desperate attempt to stockpile sufficient numbers before tariffs choked off international supplies.
SunPower continues to bleed red ink
Due largely to write-downs the high-efficiency PV maker lost a whopping $750 million during Q4 2017, as it sells off assets.
EU, China request consultation with US over solar tariffs
Following the introduction of 30% graduated tariffs on U.S. imports of solar cells and modules, the European Union and China have joined South Korea and Taiwan in filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization.
Kann, Shiao: No “manufacturing renaissance” due to solar tariffs
The latest analysis by current and former GTM Research executives argues that there is insufficient economic reason to manufacture solar in the United States.
Tesla solar deployments slide further in Q4
With only 87 MW deployed, Tesla/SolarCity may no longer be the largest distributed solar company in the United States, but its energy storage business is growing.
Solar jobs fall 4% in 2017 (w/ chart)
The hangover from the ITC-driven 2016 boom is the biggest factor in the relative decline, but a rebound is expected this year.
Mission Solar to double solar module manufacturing
The expansion to 400 MW will make Mission the fourth-largest PV module maker in the nation.
Taiwan next country to file WTO complaint over US solar tariffs
Taiwan has filed a complaint with the WTO over the Trump Administration’s decision to impose safeguard tariffs of up to 30% on crystalline silicon solar cell and module imports.
