The discussion surrounding these so-called blue wafers is part of an ongoing US initiative to address what domestic solar panel manufacturers claim are efforts to circumvent tariffs. Approximately 80% of the global solar supply comes from Chinese companies, many of which have relocated manufacturing to other countries to access the US market.
The letter, endorsed by Republican Representatives Mike Bost and Pat Harrigan, along with Democratic Representatives Ro Khanna and Marcy Kaptur, calls on Customs and Border Protection and the Internal Revenue Service to take measures against the importation of blue wafers, which are thin slices of ultra-pure silicon that have gone through essential processing steps enabling them to generate electricity.
The lawmakers indicated that some firms are bringing in these products to sidestep US duties on solar cells, completing the final processing within the United States, and then claiming federal tax credits designed to bolster domestic solar manufacturing.
“This duty evasion and tax fraud is undermining US energy manufacturers and placing them at a significant competitive disadvantage,” the letter noted.
The United States has aimed to limit the influx of inexpensive solar cells produced by Chinese manufacturers through tariffs and tax policies intended to support local producers. Solar cells manufactured in China and eight other Asian nations are subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
The Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition, comprising members like First Solar and Hanwha’s Qcells, commended the letter.
“SEMA Coalition members have invested billions of dollars and created numerous high-quality American manufacturing jobs to develop a domestic solar cell industry,” stated Rob Gardner, vice president of congressional and regulatory affairs for the SEMA Coalition.
