"Trump’s Solar Tariffs Cause a Scramble in the Industry"

"SunPower is the nation’s No. 2 commercial solar-power company, employing thousands of workers directly and indirectly. But it makes most of its solar panels abroad, and with the tariffs recently imposed by President Trump costing it as much as $2 million a week, SunPower is fighting for an exemption.

One of its rivals, SolarWorld, which produces panels domestically, has twice filed for bankruptcy in the past year. Buffeted by foreign competition, it was behind the original push for the tariffs.

Now the two American companies are merging.

It’s all part of the disruption, distortion and uncertainty from an escalating trade offensive aimed primarily at China. In barely three months, the tariffs — the first shot fired by Mr. Trump in that campaign — are fundamentally reshaping the solar industry and its prospects."

Ivan Penn reports for the New York Times May 3, 2018.

SEE ALSO:

"Share of Third-Party-Owned Systems at Record-Low Levels in US Residential Solar" (Greentech Media)

"2017 Was Weird For Solar. What’s Coming This Year and Beyond?" (Greentech Media)

"Clean Energy Sector Swings Republican With U.S. Campaign Donations" (Reuters)

"Installation Costs So Much That It’s Better To Use Expensive Solar Panels" (Ars Technica)

"Solar Power Tax Incentives Fall Almost 50% As Installations Increase 300%" (PV Magazine)