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At Unicorn Solar, we see the board tariffs and industry tariffs as a thinning process causing several companies to merge, sell, or go out of business. Experience tells me that when the going is rough, you have to double down and work harder in your specific part of our team. Additionally, the team comes together and finds ways to expedite the completion of activities efficiently and effectively.
Instead of inaction, make decisions based on the available information to work with. When Power G asked me what I thought would happen with Congress following Trump, I gave it a 60% to 40% chance that they would follow their leader. Essentially, what I am saying is that we cannot let political actions hinder our actions. This is our industry, we need to keep the ball moving forward.
In reality, solar energy is an excellent industry that offers exceptional benefits to all its participants. We must assess the landscape and move accordingly. We invite anyone who has questions to please contact us. We are committed to educating our colleagues as well as learning from everyone.
Solar manufacturing leaders called the tariffs a victory, but said legislation under consideration in Congress could counter the beneficial effects for building out a U.S. industry.
Coco Zhang, vice president of environmental, social and governance research at ING, said after the Commerce decision that domestic solar panel production has grown to a level on par with demand with help from the tax credits.
However, numbers “are based on a major assumption — that manufacturers produce at full capacity. Their real capacity is likely far lower,” she said, adding that imports could continue to make up half of panel supplies.
Solar imports from Laos and Indonesia also are increasing to get around the tariffs, she said. “We are almost looking at a cat-and-mouse game, where solar trades find new paths as U.S. tariff policy evolves,” said Zhang.
The tariffs arrive amid multiple pressures on the solar industry, which is expected to dominate new installations to the US grid this year. Along with potential congressional rollbacks of various tax incentives, the Department of Energy is weighing eliminating funding for its solar office, according to circulating documents.
The residential solar industry experienced its first annual decline in seven years in 2024 as lingering high interest rates and cuts to net-metering policies in states like California stymied growth. Policy shifts have affected large companies and small companies similarly.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has spoken favorably of the industry, saying at an appropriations hearing this month that solar is “an industry source with a future.” He told the Nuclear Energy Institute conference Tuesday, however, that he would like to “more rapidly sunset the technologies that have been around and have been living on decades of subsidies.”
In closing, I recall the challenges that solar has faced over the last 20 years, and there is always a solution. The Unicorn Team loves this industry and is committed to helping you in any way we can. Visit us at the RE+ booth F15652.
Reprinted, edited, and written by Robert W. Benedict III
What can you do if you require modules
Unicorn Solar invites you to contact us to determine how low your module pricing can be for Tier 1 modules and batteries. They plan to visit a few other countries now involved with setting up factories. These additional countries have only the 10% tariff that was imposed on all countries worldwide. Unicorn Solar understands the value of solar developers, investors, EPCs, and installers getting modules at pricing that keeps their projects alive with healthy returns.
Video clips of the factory visit.
If you want to see video clips and photographs of some of the factories, Unicorn Solar will upload them to their website within a few days. Please get in touch with us directly; we will gladly share them with you. Here is the first video from Robert's trip: Inside Unicorn’s Factories featuring Robert’s trip to Asia
Watch the video in a factory here: Quality you can trust!
Robert's trip to Asia - Episode 1
Inside Unicorn’s Factories featuring Robert’s Trip to Asia - Episode 2
Unicorn Solar is exhibiting at RE+ Booth F15652.
Please note that if you are attending RE+ next month, please visit us at booth F15652. We would love to meet you and help you save money. The Unicorn executives have 20 and 19 years of experience in the solar industry, and we should be able to assist you with any needs, wants, or requirements you have.
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