A U.S. trade panel on Friday found solar panel imports are hurting domestic businesses that operate in the industry, a decision that could lead to tariffs on the clean-energy parts that one group says could cost Colorado 2,000 jobs annually.
The International Trade Commission said it has determined — in a 4-0 vote — that the imports are coming into the U.S. “in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat of serious injury, to the domestic industry.”
The panel will now determine how to remedy the issue — potentially through tariffs that would go before President Donald Trump for approval.
The decision comes a day after Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper joined three other governors in urging the commission not to support tariffs on the imported panels, saying the levies might eliminate 88,000 across the country.
Bloomberg reports solar developers have already halted construction as the looming threat of the tariffs — requested in April after a bankrupt panel manufacturer filed a trade complaint — has already driven up prices and caused supply issues. Trump can ultimately decide whether to impose the tariffs, according to the news service, after they go before the trade commission.
The commission will send its findings to Trump to make a decision.
The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates Colorado would lose 2,000 solar jobs if the tariffs are granted.
Colorado’s solar power sector has grown quickly as the state works to drastically cut back carbon emissions In 2016, Colorado’s solar power capacity increased by 70 percent over the previous 12 months.
Clean-energy groups immediately denounced the trade commission’s findings.
“This misguided petition by a bankrupt, Chinese-owned company has the potential to stop Colorado’s and the nation’s solar industry dead in its tracks,” said Paul Spencer, CEO and founder of the Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective.
Rebecca Cantwell, executive director of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, said local industry officials are disappointed.
“We will work hard as the case goes forward to protect Colorado’s more than 6,000 solar jobs and the vibrant, growing solar industry in our state,” she said. “We worry that tariffs will increase the price of solar panels and halt the growing affordability and popularity of solar energy. We are working hard with partners around the nation to ensure solar continues to be accessible to more and more Coloradans.”
The Washington, D.C.-based Solar Foundation said the decision “brings yet more uncertainty to an industry that has created real value for the United States.”
