The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has sent a plea to president Trump asking him to preserve tens of thousands of US solar jobs by not imposing high tariffs on imported solar panels, while Trump himself has indicated that he will make a decision on the Section 201 Case soon.
From technology trends breaking out at scale, China’s mind-blowing deployment, a certain trade case in the US and of course, one or two notable bankruptcies, 2017 was never short of drama. But which stories drew your attention in 2017?
US utility firm NextEra Energy has questioned the motives of the two Section 201 petitioners, Suniva and SolarWorld, and warned the foreign-owned US-based manufacturers could not hope to meet domestic demand.
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has said it would consider filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the US brings in solar import restrictions, according to Reuters.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has recommended duties and quotas in the section 201 case falling some way short of those requested by the petitioners.
The US International Trade Commission has voted 4-0 in favour of proceeding with the Suniva Section 201 trade case having seen enough evidence to convince them that imports are the major cause of injury to US solar manufacturers.
The results of our first (last) ever attempt at polling are in and they are very much predictable. But regardless of popular opinion, it's worth considering the views of those not speaking up. While the industry is largely against Section 201 trade measures, that alone is not the most likely reason the ITC might choose not to recommend hefty tariffs come November.
