Affirmative preliminary injury determination advances critical trade enforcement to strengthen U.S. solar manufacturing
Washington, D.C. (February 24, 2026) – The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, today welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from India, Indonesia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).
The preliminary determinations mean that preliminary duties will be imposed, and cash deposits collected, to offset the amount of the government subsidies provided to producers in these three countries.
Department of Commerce Fact Sheet
These duties will be collected immediately after Commerce issues an order to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Unfair trade has caused imports from Indonesia to increase more than 500% in 2025, to $2.5 billion of cells and modules. Imports from Laos also increased more than 500% last year, to $1.5 billion.
“Today’s finding is an important step toward restoring fair competition in the U.S. solar market,” said Tim Brightbill, co-chair of Wiley Rein’s International Trade Practice and lead attorney for the Alliance. “American manufacturers are investing billions of dollars to rebuild domestic capacity and create good-paying jobs. Those investments cannot succeed if unfairly traded imports are allowed to distort the market.”
Key Upcoming Dates
- Commerce Preliminary AD Determination: April 21, 2026
- Final AD and CVD Determinations (Commerce): September 3, 2026
- Final Injury Determination (ITC): October 19, 2026
- Issuance of AD/CVD Orders: October 26, 2026
Since filing its petitions on July 17, 2025, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing and Trade has advanced these petitions through the key early stages of the U.S. trade remedy process. Following the filing, the U.S. Department of Commerce formally initiated antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos, triggering detailed questionnaires, subsidy analysis, and pricing reviews.
Shortly thereafter, the U.S. International Trade Commission conducted its preliminary phase investigation and voted affirmatively, finding a reasonable indication that the domestic industry is materially injured by the subject imports. That vote cleared the path for Commerce’s ongoing investigations into dumping margins and subsidization levels. Since initiation, the record has expanded substantially, including participation from foreign producers, U.S. importers, and domestic manufacturers, underscoring both the scale of the imports at issue and the high stakes for the rapidly rebuilding U.S. solar manufacturing base.
The Alliance looks forward to continuing to work with Commerce and the ITC throughout the remainder of this investigation to ensure that U.S. trade laws are fully enforced and that American solar manufacturing receives the level playing field it deserves.
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The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade is a coalition of four member and supporter companies calling for the enforcement of U.S. trade laws against foreign entities engaging in illegal practices to protect American jobs, ensure fair market prices, and secure a strong American solar manufacturing industry for generations to come. For more information visit: aasmt.org
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