"Anti-China Fervor Casts A Dark Cloud Over Solar And U.S. Climate Goals"

"In Congress, there is sudden bipartisan momentum to reinstitute tariffs on Chinese components. The U.S. solar industry is alarmed."

"As lawmakers work to isolate China by pressuring U.S. companies to abandon suppliers there, the fervor to undercut a rival threatens to undermine the transition to green energy at home.

Solar companies have become the latest clean tech sector to find itself in the crosshairs as Democrats, in particular, grow anxious that taking anything other than a hard line against China will cost them voter support. Momentum in Congress is escalating to reimpose steep trade tariffs that were suspended by President Biden last summer, a White House effort to give the industry time to move supply chains onshore.

The outcome of this unfolding political drama could have major consequences — not just for solar energy companies, but also for homeowners hoping to add solar panels to their roofs, motorists wanting to charge electric vehicles with clean power and utilities trying to reduce their carbon footprints."

Evan Halper and Maxine Joselow report for the Washington Post April 27, 2023.

Source: Washington Post, 04/28/2023