A feature in Bloomberg summarizes the impact of a tariff Trump imposed on imported solar panels in January.
“President Donald Trump wanted more U.S. solar manufacturing — and now he’s getting it”, Eckhouse and Martin write.
“The duties could increase production capacity in the U.S. by at least 3.4 gigawatts, compared with 1.8 gigawatts at the end of last year, and would add to even more capacity already planned”
The article notes the announcement by Hanwha Q Cells Korea that it will build a factory in Georgia, JinkoSolar Holding Co. of China planning one in Florida, and U.S. companies SunPower Corp. and First Solar Inc. planning a boost in production in Oregon and Ohio.
“While the Trump administration will claim this as a win, America’s victory is modest,” said Hugh Bromley, a New York-based analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
“The profits will flow offshore, and the highly-automated production lines will bring few jobs.”
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