Solar Panel Tariffs Shaping Up To Be A Speed Bump Rather Than A Roadblock

Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced that it would impose tariffs on solar panels and cells imported into the United States. In advance of this decision, solar developers and installation companies feared substantial trade barriers could disrupt their burgeoning businesses. However, based on early evidence, the tariffs appear to be a project development speed bump rather than a roadblock.

The administration's decision on tariffs is the ultimate result of a petition argued before the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") by Suniva Inc. and SolarWorld Americas Inc., two domestic manufacturers of solar photovoltaic panels. Following proceedings at the ITC, the President agreed to impose tariffs that will stay in effect for four years, beginning in 2018, and are set at a 30 percent rate in the first year, declining 5 percent in each of three successive years to a 15 percent rate in 2021.