Trina Solar Expands US Factory Amid Import Changes

• Trina Solar eyes US factory to combat trade barriers, create jobs, and boost domestic clean energy production. A strategic move in response to shifting global trade dynamics.

China's Trina Solar is considering establishing a factory in the US to produce solar cells for its panel manufacturing plant in Texas, in response to increasing trade barriers on imports from Washington. The company is evaluating a facility that could produce 5 gigawatts of cells annually, creating 1,500 local jobs. The Texan plant, set to reach full production by the end of 2024, currently uses cells from Southeast Asia but Trina aims to build up US capacity due to government incentives for domestic clean energy manufacturing.

Trina, the world's third-largest solar panel manufacturer, is among Chinese firms expanding in the US to avoid declining profits at home. US tariffs on Chinese solar equipment have led manufacturers to move to Southeast Asia, but new import controls and potential higher duties are prompting a shift back to the US. With the US lacking cell-manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies see an opportunity to meet the demand for renewables and are willing to pay higher prices for locally-made products.

Is Trina Solar planning to establish a solar cell factory in the US?

• Trina Solar is considering establishing a solar cell factory in the US to produce cells for its panel manufacturing plant in Texas.
• The company is evaluating a facility that could produce 5 gigawatts of cells annually, potentially creating 1,500 local jobs.
• The Texan plant currently uses cells from Southeast Asia, but Trina aims to build up US capacity due to government incentives for domestic clean energy manufacturing.
• US tariffs on Chinese solar equipment have led manufacturers to move to Southeast Asia, but new import controls and potential higher duties are prompting a shift back to the US.
• With the US lacking cell-manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies like Trina see an opportunity to meet the demand for renewables and are willing to pay higher prices for locally-made products.