On May 17, 2012, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its affirmative preliminary determination, announcing duties (tariffs) for Chinese imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Duties range from 31 to 249 percent. These duties apply retroactively, back to mid-February. Excluded are thin film photovoltaics and modules produced in the PRC from cells produced in another country other than China. Commerce is currently scheduled to make its final determination in early October 2012.
Expect third tier Chinese suppliers to move their product to other geographies. And the tariffs will temporarily push out the time to grid parity and stall solar adoption in the U.S., hurting consumers, installers, and large field operators.