The U.S. just closed another loophole for Chinese-linked solar cells

On September 11, Commerce finalized antidumping and countervailing duties on crystalline-silicon solar cells from India, Indonesia and Laos, the “Solar IV” case. The combined rate for Indian respondents is 249%, and Indonesia and Laos aren't far behind. The ITC's injury vote is scheduled for October 14; if affirmative, final orders follow in November.

This is the third major 2026 move to close third-country tariff-evasion routes into the U.S. solar market, after the Section 301 two-tier tariff regime in July and the Section 232 minimum-import-price rule taking effect December 4. The pattern is unmistakable: Washington is systematically shutting down transshipment, not just raising a headline rate.

For manufacturers building verified, non-Chinese-origin capacity in Turkey, Korea, Japan and Europe, this is a widening window, not a threat. The companies moving now, with real production and defensible supply chains, are the ones who will own the next two years of U.S. solar and storage demand. The ones betting on arbitrage routes are running out of road.