Trump administration imposes tariffs on imported solar cells and modules at 30% and certain washing machines up to 50%:
This new determination sets tariffs on imported solar cells and modules at 30 percent with a gradual decrease of that tariff over the subsequent four years. In years two, three, and four, the tariff will be imposed at 25 percent, 20 percent, and 15 percent, respectively, of the value of the import. The first 2.5 gigawatts of imported solar cells imported are exempt from the tariff (but it seems that a similar provision was not made for solar modules). Though the executive branch has broad authority to impose whatever tariff it wants after the ITC finds that an industry has been harmed by imports, this tariff decision closely matches the middle-ground recommendation made by two of the four-person ITC's commissioners. Those commissioners recommended a 30-percent tariff on modules and a 30-percent tariff on imported solar cells in excess of 1GW, with declining rates after the first year.
Whirlpool shares rise after Trump tariff on washing machine imports
The new tax is expected to hit Trump's desk on Tuesday. The administration is imposing 20% tariffs on the first 1.2 million machines imported each year, and 50% on those after that. There will also be a 50% tariff on washing machine parts.
Naturally South Korea and China are upset and plan to argue their case at the WTO. From the articles I read this morning there should be a boost to US manufacturing but the gains may all be offset by the losses with people not wanting to pay more for solar. I think regardless of price people will do solar for solar's sake, but there is sure to be some impact on sales and installation jobs.
Guess I should have bought that 30% off washing machine at the Sears going out of business sale.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday January 24 2018, @05:47PM (4 children)
Whatever happened to the solar financing model where you get the panels for free or cheap and get utility savings sucked away for X years?
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 5, Informative) by archfeld on Wednesday January 24 2018, @06:01PM (1 child)
Still in place and still getting a Federal and State kickback. Thank-you very kindly. My power bill went to down to an average $38 a month. The break even point is not a short term thing but the timing worked out very well for me. I'm in a new house with leased owner maintained solar cells on the roof. My house and pool are ALMOST totally solar powered and I plan to be in this house long/terminal time. This system does NOT have a battery storage capability currently which is significantly more expensive.
For the NSA : Explosives, guns, assassination, conspiracy, primers, detonators, initiators, main charge, nuclear charge
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday January 24 2018, @09:07PM
Offtopic:
Your list of NSA words should include Biological, Chemical and Weapons.
To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.
(Score: 2) by tibman on Wednesday January 24 2018, @06:23PM
I haven't seen that in my area. But the local power company is trying something similar. You "rent" a solar panel that they install in their solar farm. They charge you for the initial install and a monthly maintenance fee and you get a credit for the solar panel output. https://lge-ku.com/solar-share/residential [lge-ku.com]
SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by frojack on Wednesday January 24 2018, @06:51PM
Some of these were state programs. And who knows the status of the federal tax write off after the last tax reform bill. Is that still available?
The country does have stake in increasing solar, so these tax breaks for consumer installations are not totally out of line.
Having the benefit thereof flow directly over seas always seemed sort of counter productive. I think the US probably gets beat up by the WTO, but may prevail simply on the basis that consumer solar was partially government funded, and the tariff simply offsetting the subsidy.
The best solution for the US Long-Term would be to have a robust domestic manufacturing base in this technology that could compete with China and Korea, with a built in market. One look at google maps satellite view shows that this country has enough roof tops, homes as well as commercial, that we should be able handle almost all daytime electrical needs even without storage.
Maybe instead of an import tax they should have restricted the government tax breaks to US manufactured solar panels. That keeps it out of WTO jurisdiction.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.