Solar Manufacturers Urge U.S. to Expand Tariffs, Sparking Debate Over Costs and Renewable Energy Deployment.

A coalition of seven leading U.S. solar manufacturers has asked the Commerce Department to expand tariffs on four Southeast Asian nations. This move puts the Biden administration at the center of a dispute over whether to impose additional tariffs to protect domestic manufacturing or allow U.K. companies to benefit from underpriced foreign solar panel and cell imports. The move could make solar projects more expensive at a time when the industry is dealing with high electricity demand and supply chain challenges. Solar installers argue that any new tariffs could slow down the deployment of essential renewable power.