Local Solar for All Welcomes President Biden’s Decision to Waive Solar Tariffs for Two Years and Spur Domestic Solar Manufacturing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Local Solar for All, a coalition dedicated to expanding access to local solar and battery-generated power, applauded President Biden’s decision to employ the Defense Production Act to reinstate rapid solar deployment and save solar jobs as the Department of Commerce’s inquiry into alleged tariff circumvention on solar products imported from four Asian countries continues. In March, the Commerce Department opened the investigation into solar component imports, which stalled more than 300 solar projects in the country and threatened to furlough nearly 100,000 clean energy workers at a crucial time when the industry was working to expand domestic clean energy production.

Members of Local Solar for All issued the following statement.

“We thank President Biden for taking executive action to address the dwindling supply of solar panels, which poses a significant threat to the future of distributed generation in our country. President Biden’s decision to waive solar tariffs for two years, even as the Department of Commerce’s inquiry continues, is a clear sign of support for expanding the clean energy sector. It will put local solar deployments and installations back on track, eliminate job uncertainty for solar workers, and most importantly, pave the path for consumers to access renewable solar energy that will ultimately lower power costs for American families and businesses.

“Local Solar for All and its members – representing rooftop and community solar and storage – applaud President Biden’s efforts to support the transition to clean energy at this critical juncture. The war in Ukraine and the subsequent rise in global fossil fuel prices have heightened the need for energy independence in recent months. Transitioning to clean, renewable energy like local solar and batteries is a national priority to fight climate change, create jobs and achieve energy independence. As solar companies reactivate their projects, we have a better chance to meet the Biden administration’s goal to cut carbon pollution in half by 2030.

“The work is not done, however. We stand in agreement with President Biden that more must be done in the form of adopting predictable clean energy tax incentives and increasing domestic manufacturing of solar panels. Local Solar for All members support Sen. Jon Ossoff’s Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act (SEMA) that aims to expand domestic solar manufacturing to help decrease the cost of solar deployment and make it a more accessible energy option for more Americans. Once enacted, SEMA will spur job growth in the clean energy sector and help propel the U.S. as a competitor in the global solar market.

Local Solar for All thanks President Biden for taking action at a critical moment to ensure solar deployment can continue to meet national goals to expand locally-generated solar and other forms of clean, renewable energy.”