Kaptur Calls on Trump Administration to Step Up Enforcement of Trade and Tax Laws to Protect America’s Domestic Solar Energy ManufacturersPress ReleaseHouse Select Committee on[...]

Toledo, OH - Earlier this month, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) of Northwest Ohio joined Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, in sending a bipartisan letter to the heads of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) urging their immediate action to stop unfairly traded solar products made in China and other countries from entering the United States. These imports are undercutting American companies, including First Solar-a major employer and innovative solar panel manufacturer in Northwest Ohio.

In the last year, an incorrect customs ruling has allowed growing volumes of foreign-made silicon wafers-popularly called "blue wafers" because they have a blue anti-reflective coating-to enter through US ports. These wafers are being used by foreign solar manufacturers to build solar panels while avoiding customs duties meant to be applied to imported wafers.

The letter also requests clear IRS guidance be published to prevent companies using imported wafers in their solar panels from improperly claiming advanced manufacturing production tax credits for solar panel production. Congress authorized these tax credits to support US manufacturers that produce components and solar panels here in the United States-not for companies using nearly finished foreign-made parts.

"The intentional import into the US of nearly finished solar cells made in countries that skirt our trade laws and harm American workers must stop. If these products enter our country, they should pay antidumping and countervailing duties and should not qualify for tax credits reserved for domestic manufacturers," said Congresswoman Kaptur (OH-09). "Northwest Ohio is home to First Solar, which has worked closely with the University of Toledo and leads the industry in advanced thin-film technology. I will never stop working to ensure full and fair enforcement of US trade and tax laws that protect American companies, jobs, and workers-no matter where the threat comes from."

Joining Congresswoman Kaptur and Congressman Khanna on their bipartisan letter were Republican Congressman Mike Bost (IL-10) and Republican Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10). The letter follows a site visit made by Congresswoman Kaptur and Congressman Khanna to First Solar's Perrysburg facilities in May, where they met with workers and company leaders to discuss Federal policies that support American manufacturing and protect US jobs. The letter is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the domestic solar industry in partnership with the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition (SEMA).

First Solar, founded in 1999, operates three advanced manufacturing and research facilities in Ohio, including in Perrysburg, employing over 1,600 workers. The company reports that its Ohio operations support an estimated 9,360 direct, indirect, and induced jobs statewide, generating approximately $792 Million in labor income. In addition, First Solar's operations added roughly $1.23 Billion in value to Ohio's economy and produced more than $4.25 Billion in total economic output in 2025.

# # #