US Imposes Preliminary Duties on Solar Imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced preliminary countervailing duties on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells – commonly known as solar cells – and panels from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The move, announced on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, is a response to allegations of unfair trade practices and government subsidies that benefit producers in these countries [Reuters].
Investigation and Findings
The Department of Commerce initiated investigations in August 2025 into potential antidumping and countervailing duty concerns regarding crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from the three nations [trade.gov]. The investigations revealed alleged dumping margins and subsidy rates, prompting the imposition of preliminary duties.
Alleged Dumping Margins
- India: 123.04%
- Indonesia: 94.36%
- Laos: 123.12% – 190.12%
Alleged Subsidy Rates
- India: Above de minimis*
- Indonesia: Above de minimis*
- Laos: Above de minimis*
*de minimis = less than one percent for developed countries, less than two percent for developing countries.
Import Statistics
Recent import data from the U.S. Census Bureau, accessed through S&P Global Trade Atlas, shows significant import volumes and values:
India
| Year | Volume (Watts) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 232,420,657 | $83,865,782 |
| 2023 | 2,048,966,887 | $760,758,424 |
| 2024 | 2,297,306,441 | $792,648,250 |
Indonesia
| Year | Volume (Watts) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 499,111,415 | $177,534,244 |
| 2023 | 521,853,649 | $171,941,991 |
| 2024 | 1,803,822,463 | $415,198,361 |
Laos
| Year | Volume (Watts) | Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | $0 |
| 2023 | 44,629 | $6,694 |
| 2024 | 1,908,207,876 | $335,737,293 |
Specific Duty Rates
Preliminary countervailing duty rates were announced for specific exporters and producers:
India
- Mundra Solar: 125.87%
- All Others: 125.87%
Indonesia
- Blue Sky Solar: 143.3%
- PT REC Solar Indonesia PTE: 85.99%
- All Others: 104.38%
*PT REC Solar Indonesia PTE has no relation to REC Group, operating in Singapore.
Laos
- Solarspace, Vietnam Sunergy (VSUN): 80.67%
- All Others: 80.67%
Background and Petition
The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade petitioned the government in July 2025 for this investigation, alleging that manufacturers had relocated operations to India, Indonesia, and Laos to circumvent tariffs on imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam [Solar Power World]. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) subsequently determined that the U.S. Industry had been materially injured by imports from these countries.
Next Steps
The ITC is scheduled to issue its preliminary determination on September 2, 2025. Preliminary antidumping duty amounts are expected to be announced in April [trade.gov]. The duties will be enforced by Customs, with cash deposits beginning to be collected.
The U.S. Commerce Department reviewed Indian solar panel import data from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, and data from the 2024 calendar year for Indonesia and Laos to reach these conclusions [Solar Power World].