In the most anticipated decision for the U.S. solar industry since the Investment Tax Credit vote in 2015, the industry now braces to see what sanctions the USITC will recommend to President Trump on November 13.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted unanimously that there has been significant injury in Suniva/SolarWorld’s Section 201 trade petition, moving the case on to the new phase when the USITC will recommend what sanctions it believes should be imposed.

The 4-0 decision allows the imposition of tariffs on module imports but exempts Canada from whatever tariffs are implemented.

Suniva hailed the decision as a victory for the module manufacturing segment of the industry.

“Suniva is gratified that the USITC has found that a surge of imports into the U.S. has decimated the American CSPV cell and module manufacturing industry,” the company said in a written statement. “We brought this action because the U.S. solar manufacturing industry finds itself at the precipice of extinction at the hands of foreign market overcapacity.”

“The USITC has agreed, and now it will be in President Trump’s hands to decide whether America will continue to have the capability to manufacture this energy source,” the company said. “President Trump can remedy this injury with relief that ensures U.S. energy dominance that includes a healthy U.S. solar ecosystem and prevents China and its proxies from owning the sun.”

Installers, along with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), expressed disappointment in the outcome.

“The ITC’s decision is disappointing for nearly 9,000 U.S. solar companies and the 260,000 Americans they employ,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “Foreign-owned companies that brought business failures on themselves are attempting to exploit American trade laws to gain a bailout for their bad investments.” [click for full article]