Just the initiation of the probe in March and the threat of potential retroactive tariffs has caused widespread project cancellations and delays. The White House has faced pressure from both parties to take action to stem fallout from the probe, which Commerce officials have described as a “quasi-judicial” process that leaves little room for the secretary or president to directly weigh in.
Faced with an onslaught of public pressure on the issue, the White House held a meeting last month with several Democratic senators who oppose the inquiry, and officials promised action soon to ease the uncertainty for the solar industry.
Biden’s announcements Monday are a “much-needed reprieve from this industry-crushing probe,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and chief executive officer of the Solar Energy Industries Association, which has opposed the Commerce inquiry.
“The president is providing improved business certainty today while harnessing the power of the Defense Production Act for tomorrow,” she said in a statement. “Today’s actions protect existing solar jobs, will lead to increased employment in the solar industry and foster a robust solar manufacturing base here at home.”
In addition, the White House announced the development of master supply agreements for domestically manufactured solar systems to increase the speed and efficiency with which domestic clean electricity providers can sell their products to the U.S. government and so-called super preferences to apply domestic content standards for federal procurement of solar systems.
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