Follow India Renewable Energy News on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights

U.S. Solar Panel Makers Push for Tariffs on India, Indonesia, and Laos in Trade Dispute

Leading U.S. solar manufacturers—First Solar, Qcells, Talon PV, and Mission Solar—have filed a formal petition with the U.S. Commerce Department demanding new tariffs on solar panel imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The companies, under the banner of the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, accuse these countries of “dumping” panels—selling them below fair market value—and benefiting from unlawful government subsidies. According to the alliance, these practices allow foreign manufacturers to undercut U.S. prices by 40-60%.

The move follows previous successful petitions that led to anti-dumping tariffs on solar imports from Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. With those countries now restricted, manufacturers reportedly shifted production to India, Indonesia, and Laos, resulting in a 78% surge in U.S. solar imports from these three nations in Q1 2024.

Alliance lawyer Tim Brightbill emphasized that the new countries had become alternative “dumping grounds,” undermining U.S. solar manufacturing and domestic job creation. If the Commerce Department accepts the petition, it could initiate a new phase of investigation and potential duties, further intensifying global solar trade tensions. The outcome could significantly affect Indian solar exports and disrupt international supply chains, even as the U.S. seeks to bolster local clean energy industries.