What percentage of solar PV shipments are imported?

In 2019, 94% of total solar PV shipments were imports. Anti-dumping tariffs imposed on solar products from China and Taiwan in 2012 and 2014 led some solar PV manufacturers located in these countries to outsource their production to countries not covered by the anti-dumping duties.

What are solar PV module shipments?

Solar PV module shipments include imports, exports, and modules produced and sold domestically, but they exclude modules shipped for resale. These shipments have steadily increased since 2006, driven by significant price declines and policy incentives that encourage solar PV installation.

Why did PV shipments decline in 2017 and 2018?

U.S. PV shipments declined in 2017 and 2018 due to policy reforms and import tariffs going into effect. The cost of PV modules has declined significantly since 2006, helping drive the growth of solar module shipments.

What is the cost of a solar PV module?

The average cost of a solar PV module, as indicated by shipments, decreased from $3.50 per peak watt in 2006 to $0.40 per peak watt in 2019.

How many kilowatts is a single solar PV module?

In 2019, U.S. shipments of single solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, also referred to as solar panels, reached a record-high of 16.4 million kilowatts (kW).

What happened to solar PV modules in 2018?

In 2018, solar PV module shipments recorded the fewest shipments since 2014, largely as a result of new tariffs. Effective February 7, 2018, the U.S. government placed tariffs on imported solar cells and modules, starting at a 30% tariff rate and decreasing five percentage points each subsequent year for four years.