U.S. Solar Manufacturers Seek Tariffs on Panel Imports from Indonesia, India, and Laos

A group of U.S. solar panel manufacturers has formally requested the Department of Commerce to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar panel imports originating from Indonesia, India, and Laos, according to documents published on the agency’s website.

This move represents the latest in a series of efforts by the relatively small U.S. solar manufacturing sector to secure trade protections, safeguard billions of dollars in domestic investment, and maintain competitiveness against lower-cost products predominantly made by Chinese companies operating overseas.

The petition was submitted by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, whose members include First Solar, Qcells (a unit of Hanwha), Talon PV, and Mission Solar.

The alliance previously succeeded in securing tariffs on solar imports from Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand—measures that were finalized earlier this year. As a result, some global producers have since relocated their manufacturing operations to Indonesia and Laos. The group also accuses Indian manufacturers of flooding the U.S. market with underpriced products, thereby undermining local production.

“We have always said, vigorous enforcement of our trade laws is critical to the success of this industry,” said Tim Brightbill, lead attorney for the petitioners, in a statement.