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dexters · 01-24-2018, 11:31 AM

President Donald Trump Imposes 30% Tariffs on Solar Panels | Time

The article forgets about the American worker. I guess Time feels it is an OK sacrifice to make in the cause of cheap solar. I think it is a good idea.

"Trump’s solar decision comes almost nine months after Suniva Inc., a bankrupt U.S. module manufacturer with a Chinese majority owner, sought import duties on solar cells and panels. It asserted that it had suffered “ serious injury” from a flood of cheap panels produced in Asia. A month later, the U.S. unit of German manufacturer SolarWorld AG signed on as a co-petitioner, adding heft to Suniva’s cause."

MTK46 · 01-24-2018, 11:46 AM

I only buy USA panels like this one I installed & also my son bought one for his 5th wheel.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-175-Watt-...72.m2749.l2649

GaryS1953 · 01-24-2018, 03:14 PM

Even though we can get American assembled solar panels now the price will still go up. Supply and demand will dictate.

nothermark · 01-24-2018, 03:27 PM

The reason Chinese panels are cheaper is the cost of cleaning up the effluent from production. Every country that makes a significant number of panels requires cleanup except China. Sooner or later that stuff ends up here in our water and food supplies. I'd flat ban them until they set up cleanup.

ByeTheWay · 01-24-2018, 03:31 PM

I don't mind paying extra for U.S. made products. Cheap is often the most expensive in the long run.

monitormix · 01-26-2018, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTK46

I only buy USA panels like this one I installed & also my son bought one for his 5th wheel.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-175-Watt-...72.m2749.l2649

Are these 12v panels? And did they ship with MC4 connections? Are you happy with them? Was looking at the Grape Solar 180w USA made panels.

MTK46 · 01-26-2018, 09:29 AM

Yes they had the MC4 connectors. They work very well and can't beat the price. Very well made.
12 v panels

**CountryFit** · 01-26-2018, 02:33 PM

every panel for civilian usage in the market nowadays comes with mc4 connectors. has anyone seen one without? i haven't.

look around, shop for quality and price. 2 months ago i bought 11 sunpower (yes, american made!) 250w panels at $165/pc, equivalent to $0.66/w.

good days will be gone fast. act now if you know you are gonna do it this year!

cruzbill · 01-29-2018, 03:20 PM

The tariffs can be forestalled or cancelled by action of the World Trade Organization. A country with imposed tariffs (China in this case) can petition the WTC to cancel or modify the tariff. The US has yet to prevail when a tariff has been protested. Don't get to shook up yet........

cruzbill · 01-29-2018, 03:23 PM

The 175w panels on ebay use solar cells imported from China. These cells will also be subject to any tariff imposed.

ALLOY · 01-29-2018, 08:18 PM

I think it is too late....

When I bought panels in November the supply was getting thin due to rumblings over the tariff. The price had already increased (read $$ grab) but I had a quote from Oct. that said the price will be held for 60 days.

cruzbill · 01-30-2018, 11:24 AM

Any price increase now due to tariffs are premature. Tariff doesn't kick in until 2.5Gw (that's gigawatts) have been imported. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-envir...ouse-itc-trump

cruzbill · 01-30-2018, 11:27 AM

More info:

https://www.greentechmedia.com/artic...iff#gs.b5H0HfY

harryn · 01-31-2018, 09:50 AM

We would not be in this position in the first place if the tax payer funded subsidies had only been allowed for the portion that was US made.

It was (and is) crooked to make US citizens pay to subsidize products made in other countries.