Kaptur Commends Biden Administration’s Continued Efforts to Support Domestic Solar ManufacturingPress ReleaseTradeJobs and the EconomyEnergy

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development released the following statement on the Biden Administration's announcement of several actions intended to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing and protect manufacturers and workers from China's unfair trade practices. Congresswoman Kaptur has tirelessly pushed for federal support to re-shore domestic solar manufacturing supply chains, including robust enforcement of trade policies to combat China's economic warfare against domestic solar manufacturers. Today's announcement includes more than $70 Million to re-shore solar wafer and cell manufacturing, with $21 Million going to First Solar in Perrysburg, Ohio. Additionally, the Administration announced the reinstatement of tariffs on bifacial solar panels, a commitment to vigorously monitor import patterns to curb China's long-standing practice of flooding the US market with below cost of production solar modules, and the intent to issue final domestic content bonus credit guidance that incentivizes solar wafer production.

"I am pleased to see the Administration continue its efforts to support and protect home-grown solar manufacturers and workers in Northwest Ohio. By funding research and development, answering our calls for robust trade policies to combat China's economic warfare tactics, and incentivizing US solar manufacturing we ensure that US companies including Perrysburg's First Solar will advance as world leaders solar," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "The actions announced today are important steps in what must become a sustained, long-term commitment to re-shore domestic solar manufacturing. I urge the Biden Administration to work closely with stakeholders to develop and implement trade monitoring programs and domestic content requirements that deliver on the Administration's commitment to curb China's unfair trade practices and incentivize domestic wafer production. These actions must be taken promptly - there is no time to waste. Domestic solar manufacturers have struggled for too long. It is time to reward their perseverance and bring this vital industry back to America."

"The world's most differentiated photovoltaic semiconductor was developed and is manufactured in Ohio, and the state will soon be home to the largest thin film solar research and development footprint outside of China," said Samantha Sloan, VP of Global Policy for First Solar. "Ohio is a global hub for thin film technology and innovation, and the Department of Energy's decision to grant $21 million in R&D funding for two crucial thin film R&D initiatives will enable efforts to keep the state at the forefront of efforts to deliver the next generation of solar technology."

"Following up on the President's clearly stated intention Tuesday to promote and protect American manufacturing of the entire solar supply chain, we are also encouraged to see the Treasury Department recognize the centrality of 'the IRA's goals of incentivizing U.S. solar manufacturing, including solar wafer production' as they work to develop the long term guidance for this credit. Swiftly and successfully converting this intent to domestic content guidance is critical to investments in major facilities supporting thousands of jobs, so we look forward to working with the administration to expeditiously produce workable guidance as soon as possible," said Mike Carr, Executive Director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition. "It is critical we move forward hand in hand with the Biden administration to maximize the impact of the tools within the IRA for American energy security and manufacturing jobs while continuing to drive down energy costs for Americans. We also must thank the authors of the IRA provisions for their letter to Treasury making clear their intention that US wafer and polysilicon production be incentivized by the domestic content bonus - their advocacy was, and will continue to be, crucial to make sure Americans realize the full benefits of this historic legislation. Our members are ready to build an American solar supply chain now, and we look forward to working with the Treasury Department to press forward with the speed needed to meet the moment."

You can find a statement Congresswoman Kaptur made earlier this week on other Biden Administration tariff announcements and information on past actions taken here.

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