News
IT’S OFFICIAL: SOLAR PANEL PRICES MIGHT GO UP SOON!
On May 23th, 2017, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) decided to move forward with Suniva’s case to determine if US solar manufacturers deserve protection from their Chinese competitors. The decision will come out by September 22nd and be sent to the US President by November 13th. The petition submitted by Suniva recommends to set a minimum import price on PV modules and cells for 4 years, starting in year one at $0.78/w for modules and $0.78/w for cells, which would more than double current module prices, thus making imported modules into the U.S. the most expensive in the world.
THE CASE
On April 26th, 2017, Suniva, a US solar manufacturer that filed for bankruptcy a few months ago, submitted a petition to the ITC requesting for global safeguard relief from imports of crystalline silicon solar PV cells and modules, stating that the main cause for its bankruptcy was the extremely low prices of the imported PV solar cells and modules.
WHAT IF SUNIVA’S PETITION IS APPROVED?
If the petition is approved, more tariffs will be imposed on solar imports, making solar panel prices to go up, on the order of 20% or more.
WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID THIS PRICE HIKE?
Lock down your agreement now and don’t wait until it’s too late. Solar panel prices now are lower than ever before, waiting until after the potential September 22nd price hike risks higher overall solar costs, and lower return and savings.
For more information related to this case, visit:
Reuters: “U.S. may put emergency tariffs on solar imports”
Beaumont Solar Company: “Suniva tariff 201 petition and what it means to customers”
Solar Industry: “SEIA vows to lead fight against Suniva trade petition”
PV Magazine: “BREAKING: Suniva petition could start new global solar trade war”
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