Uncertainty Grips Solar as Industry Awaits Trump's Tariff Ruling
- Tariffs will ‘have a deeply slowing impact,’ developer says
- U.S. solar industry says duties would double prices, cost jobs
The sun reflects off of solar modules at the Southern California Edison (SCE) solar array in Porterville, California, U.S., on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. The photovoltaic array, which consists of 29,426 solar panels, will be capable of producing 6.7 Megawatts (MW) of renewable energy when it goes online on Feb. 24.
Photographer: Ken James/BloombergU.S. solar developers are bracing for months of uncertainty after a federal trade agency ruled that imported panels are crippling American manufacturers, giving President Donald Trump until January to decide whether to impose tariffs.
The $29 billion industry had largely expected the 4-0 decision Friday from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Even before the vote, developers were halting construction and hoarding supplies, anticipating that tariffs could sharply increase prices for imported components.