US solar module imports fall 27% in Q3

The largest single-quarter drop in three years comes as the American Solar Manufacturers Against Chinese Circumvention propose greater tariffs against Asian-imported modules.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA | Image: Jumilla, flickr

From pv magazine USA

U.S. solar panel imports plunged during Q3, falling 27%, the largest single-quarter drop since 2018, according to research firm Panjiva.

In addition to being down 27% compared to Q2 2021, total module shipments were also down 11%, compared to Q3 2020. Many in the industry are blaming the fall on a proposed expansion of tariffs, introduced by an anonymous group of domestic manufacturers last month.

Image: Panjiva

The proposed tariffs would apply to manufacturers in Southeast Asia beyond just China, including modules that are imported from Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Those countries account for 80% of all panel imports into the United States.

More about the U.S. solar industry at our Roundtables USA!

Implications of trade tensions, supply chain problems, severe weather,… Join us as solar experts discuss these issues on November 09 at the virtual Roundtables USA 2021. More information and free registration.

To keep reading, please visit our US website.

 

More about
Written by
  • Tim Sylvia
    Tim has been with pv magazine since May 2018. He covers project development, legal issues and renewable energy legislation, as well as contributing to the daily Morning Brief.

Comments

Paul Villella
Oct 30, 2021

Shipping itself is adding a ton to import pricing. Unless domestic production and pricing can step up to the plate, these US producers are simply ratcheting up profits while holding back domestic installations. I’m in favor of America being a producer nation just not where protectionism allows for sub par performance coupled with unjust rewards for doing so.

10 Things Worth Reading This Week (10/29/21) – SolarAcademy
Oct 29, 2021

[…] module imports in the US fell 27% in Q3, the largest single-quarter drop in three years. The fall is being attributed by some to the […]