Clean energy groups push to avoid tariffs in solar panel case
Suniva filed the petition under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, a “really extreme remedy” according to Clark Packard, a trade lawyer and policy analyst with the conservative think tank R Street Institute, which supports free-market clean energy policies.
The company is requesting relief with an initial tariff on all imported solar cells of 40 cents per watt that would decline slightly over the next four years, along with a minimum price on imported solar modules of 78 cents per watt in case prices of imports decline further.
Packard said that anti-dumping petitions were made during the Obama administration alleging unfair trade practices by certain countries, but this is the first solar industry case that is asking for a tariff on all imports.
“What they’re asking for is a tariff that would basically double the price of solar products,” Packard said.
