According to preliminary survey results released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) on April 5, 2022, three-quarters of surveyed solar companies say that panel deliveries have been canceled or delayed since the Department of Commerce announced on March 28, 2022, that it was initiating a circumvention case against imports of solar goods from four Southeast Asian countries.[1] The Commerce investigation was prompted by a February 2022 petition from California-based solar panel assembler Auxin Solar. In the petition, Auxin Solar claims that manufacturers in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam use parts made in China that otherwise would be subject to a tariff. The investigation may take up to a year, and suppliers have indicated that they may stop shipments from those countries until a final ruling is issued as the ruling could result in retroactive import duties.

The SEIA survey compiled responses from more than 200 solar companies, which ranged from manufacturers to utility-scale installers. Half of the respondents said that 80% or more of their 2022 project pipeline is at risk of delay or cancellation. In addition, two-thirds of survey respondents said that at least half of their workforce is at risk of being laid off, while another third said their entire workforce is at risk. SEIA is now calling for the Department of Commerce to issue a negative preliminary decision on the case.

[1] https://www.seia.org/news/survey-solar-deployment-hammered-meritless-trade-case-us-climate-goals-jeopardy