Three prominent **US solar panel manufacturers** have formally requested **US trade officials** to initiate an investigation into **solar cell imports from South Korea**. They allege that producers, including Hanwha’s Qcells, are strategically utilizing these imports to **circumvent long-standing US tariffs on Chinese solar products**, according to a recent petition reviewed by Reuters.
The **anti-circumvention petition** was submitted to the **Department of Commerce** on June 18. It was filed by a group identifying as American Manufacturers for Energy Resilience, representing Canadian Solar, SEG, and Heliene – all of whom operate **solar panel manufacturing facilities in the United States**.
This coalition is seeking a comprehensive **anti-circumvention probe** focusing specifically on **solar cell imports originating from South Korea**. Solar cells are the fundamental building blocks for modules, or panels, which are crucial for converting sunlight into usable electricity.
Under existing **US trade law**, tariffs can be legally extended to encompass goods re-routed through third countries, particularly when the processing performed in those countries is deemed minor.
The petitioners explicitly accuse Qcells of intentionally relocating its production operations from China to South Korea with the primary aim of **avoiding US solar tariffs**.
Requests for comment from an attorney representing the American Manufacturers for Energy Resilience did not receive an immediate response.
Qcells, a major player in the **US clean energy sector**, currently operates two advanced **solar factories in Georgia**. The company has articulated a strategic goal to **manufacture all essential components** for its silicon-based **solar panels domestically on US soil**.
Notably, Qcells has invested billions in its **US manufacturing operations** and has historically been a vocal proponent behind recent **US trade petitions** that targeted **solar imports** from various countries in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, some of those very imports supplied factories owned by Canadian Solar, SEG, and Heliene, the current petitioners.
Marta Stoepker, a spokesperson for Qcells, issued an emailed statement asserting, “Qcells has spearheaded efforts to **reshore solar manufacturing in the United States**, and our decade-long track record demonstrates our commitment to robust trade enforcement, not to evading it.” She added, “We have thoroughly reviewed this filing and are confident that the evidence will unequivocally demonstrate its claims are entirely without merit.” (Reuters)
