WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will use his executive power Monday to increase domestic production of solar panel and parts. He will also issue a tariff exemption for imports for 24 months from several countries.
According to the White House, Biden will allow the Defense Production Act to be used to speed up the production of solar panels in the United States. This is to support the administration’s efforts toward clean energy.
According to a White House news release, this will allow the Department of Energy “rapidly increase” U.S. production of solar panel parts and power grid infrastructure like transformers, heat pump, building insulation, and other equipment.
Biden also directed that master supply agreements be used to “increase the speed and efficiency domestic clean electricity providers are able to sell their products the U.S. government,” according the release.
Biden also uses his executive authority temporarily to allow tariff-free imports of solar panels from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Thailand.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated that President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to allow the U.S. to take control of its clean energy independence. “The nation’s clean-energy supply chain has been dependent on foreign sources and hostile nations for too long.”
Gina Raimondo, Commerce Secretary, stated in a statement that imported panels are an important component of meeting the immediate needs to bring additional energy sources online and address the energy needs for the American people.
She stated that droughts in the West and Russia’s unwarranted invasion Ukraine have put increasing strains on America’s energy market. “Solar energy is essential to meet those needs. Diversifying our energy sources and responding quickly to climate change have never been more important.”
According to Reuters, the Commerce Department investigated whether solar panels from these countries were evading tariffs on Chinese goods. The Commerce Department exempted four countries.
