US President Joe Biden wants the US to produce more solar energy in the coming years. To make this possible, Biden wants to take measures to dramatically increase solar panel production in the United States. It also does not charge import duties on cheap boards from Southeast Asia at this time. News service reports that Reuters†
According to the IEA, the United States is one of the few countries where solar energy production is slowing. The reason for this is that cheap boards from Asia are often used in the United States.
Several years ago, the United States decided to impose import duties on solar panels from China because it was competing with American panel manufacturers. The government also recently threatened to impose tariffs on paintings from various Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand. China is suspected of having its plates made in those countries in order to circumvent tariffs on US imports.
The tariffs benefit American panel manufacturers. But for US solar garden developers, fees are actually an issue. After all, Asian panels have become much more expensive due to fees. So many projects were stopped.
To start producing solar energy again, Biden has now decided not to impose tariffs on panels from Southeast Asian countries for the next two years. Customs duties on Chinese products will remain in effect.
The president is also coming up with plans to ensure that more solar panels are manufactured in the United States. Total production capacity should reach 22.5 gigawatts within two years. This measure aims to make the country’s energy transition less dependent on foreign countries.
