Jason Brexer, a father of five, living in Mountain View, Ca,. has a monthly energy bill of $800/mo. He had planned on finally installing a solar energy system on their home this summer. That is, until the U.S. imposed 100% tariffs on China. His reaction to the announcement of 100% tariffs on China imports was, ‘Well, I guess prices will skyrocket now so we’re in a wait and see mode.’
Mr. Brexer is not alone. Thousands of homeowners across California fear that they will no longer be able to afford a solar energy system because of tariff price increases. But this fear is based on the false assumption that solar panels, or at least the components to build solar panels, come from China, and that the new 100%+ tariffs will make going solar far too expensive.
The reality is, in recent years the majority of imported solar panels have originated from Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia, and not China. All four of these countries are at a current tariff rate of 10%. In 2024, these four countries collectively accounted for a significant portion of U.S. solar panel imports:
- Vietnam: 19.3 GW
- Thailand: 12.9 GW
- Malaysia: 7.6 GW
- Cambodia: 4.6 GW
These figures highlight a strategic shift in manufacturing locations, as many Chinese solar companies have established production facilities in Southeast Asia to circumvent U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese-made solar products.
Direct imports from China have significantly decreased due to these tariffs. In 2024, the U.S. imported only 68.3 MW of solar panels directly from China, a minimal fraction compared to imports from other countries.
There are also solar panel manufacturers in the United States that do not rely on products from China—either partially or entirely. These companies often focus on producing solar panels domestically and sourcing raw materials outside of China to avoid tariffs, supply chain issues, and geopolitical concerns. Companies like First Solar operate manufacturing facilities within the U.S., and others, such as Canadian Solar, have announced plans to establish factories in states like Texas.
Therefore, while China remains a significant player in the global solar industry, the solar panels imported into the United States are predominantly manufactured in other countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. That said, there are some components that will still come from China and be subject to a 100% + tariff. These components may only add 2-3% to the total overall material costs, at this point.
So go ahead, Mr. Brexer. Add solar to your Mountain View home. Solar + storage is still affordable, you’ll still save money, and reduce your cabon footprint. We don’t service that area, but would gladly recommend a strategic partner in your area that can get you a quote.
