WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) issued a final affirmative injury determination in the antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation on solar cells and modules from southeast Asia.

Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), on the decision:

“Today’s decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission is concerning for American solar manufacturers and the broader U.S. solar industry. The USITC’s final affirmative injury determination adds an additional layer of tariffs that will raise costs for the solar products American companies need to build projects and grow domestic manufacturing.

“Today, U.S. solar cell manufacturing is growing for the first time in years, but it is still not at the scale needed to meet demand. This determination especially harms U.S. solar module producers that depend on access to imported solar cells as we ramp up domestic cell manufacturing capacity.  Imposing additional tariffs on cell imports at this stage risks stalling progress and undermining the very industry they are meant to support.

“This is yet another hurdle for U.S. solar module manufacturing, which has grown sixfold in the last two years and has seen perhaps the most successful industrial onshoring effort in our nation’s history. After today’s decision, it is more important than ever for Congress to support American solar manufacturing. Tax credits for domestic production must be preserved and strengthened as lawmakers consider the budget reconciliation bill. These policies are the key to building a resilient, competitive solar manufacturing base here at home.

“SEIA will continue to advocate for policies that bolster the domestic manufacturing sector and ensure the solar and storage industry has what it needs to deliver affordable, reliable energy to American families and businesses.”