U.S. Tariffs Drive Up Solar Costs, Threatening Clean Energy Progress

Solar energy is becoming more expensive in the U.S., not solely because of increased demand. Trump-era tariffs on Chinese-made solar components, such as glass and cells, have significantly raised prices. Although the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act has funneled billions into domestic solar manufacturing, U.S. producers still struggle to match China’s scale, resulting in higher costs for both imported and domestic panels. Coupled with elevated interest rates, these factors are making solar installations less affordable, particularly for homeowners and small installers. Industry experts warn that these cost increases could slow the adoption of solar energy, undermining efforts to expand clean energy access and combat climate change. Read more.