Trump's tariff troubles: Solar tariffs clouding the industry's future

Over the last eight years, an influx of cheap imported panels has driven down the cost of solar projects by 85 per cent, according to Lazard

Across North Carolina, textile factories and tobacco farms have disappeared, giving way to fields of solar panels. However, for those venturing into solar farming, the future of this vibrant industry is now cloudy.

After US President Donald Trump’s announcement Monday about steep tariffs imposed on imported solar panels, which could raise the cost of solar power in the years ahead,  slowing adoption of the technology and costing jobs.

The two solar companies that had sought the tariffs, Suniva and Solar World Americas, argue that low-cost imports have decimated American manufacturing of solar cells and modules in recent years.