What China’s subsidy pull-back means for U.S. solar (part 1)
A flood of cheap solar panels is likely to partially offset the effect of the Section 201 duties. It may also mean the revival of projects with marginal economics and could lead to module supply contracts being renegotiated.
Hanwha Q Cells to build America’s largest solar module factory in Georgia
The South Korean group plans to commence construction of a facility with an annual capacity of at least 1.6 GW near the border of Georgia and Tennessee by the end of this year, with completion slated for 2019.
Trump’s trade wars
Trade has become a major issue for the U.S. solar industry under the Trump Administration. But while the market navigates tariffs and higher prices, the U.S. economy may be a greater casualty.
Republicans request utility-scale solar panel tariff exemption
A group of eight Republican senators has sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative and other federal agencies calling for utility-scale solar panels to be exempt from the Section 201 tariffs.
Solar panel imports down 50% in the first two months of 2018
The EIA’s monthly solar module import report shows that after a ramp up in in mid-2017, volumes of imported PV modules crashed in January and February.
Majority of Americans oppose Section 201 solar panel tariffs
A new poll by the University of Maryland finds that 58% of Americans surveyed do not agree the imposition of tariffs on imported solar panels. However, Trump voters back the measure.
Congress fights Trump’s solar tariffs
Representative Jacky Rosen (D) of Nevada introduced the ‘Protecting American Solar Jobs Act’ on April 19th. The bill would repeal the tariffs imposed under the Section 201 ruling.
SQN to sell off Suniva’s cell tools
Tools that Suniva used to manufacture solar cells will now be sold off, limiting the possibility for the company to re-emerge as a cell maker.
SunPower to buy SolarWorld Americas
The two biggest names in the solar trade fight will now be one company. SunPower will again be a U.S. manufacturer, and SolarWorld will begin producing P-Series modules.
SEIA reports 18 companies reducing solar deployment, workforce in 2018
The national solar trade organization has listed cancelled investments and hiring as well as job losses in its comments supporting requests for exclusion from Section 201 tariffs.
