Pennsylvania solar projects held up by federal probe, group says

• Rachel McDevitt
  BioRecent Stories

  

  I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.
  
  My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.
  
  I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.
  
  I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

Rachel McDevitt / StateImpact Pennsylvania

This solar field in Lurgan Township, Franklin County provides power to Penn State. Panels are seen here on Nov. 24, 2020.

A solar industry trade group is warning the threat of tariffs on imported panels is already starting to affect businesses in the commonwealth and across the country.

The U.S. Commerce Department is trying to find out if China is avoiding tariffs on solar panels by setting up factories in four countries in Southeast Asia.

Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam supply the U.S. with the bulk of its solar materials. If those countries fall subject to tariffs, industry groups say that will hurt efforts to increase solar power here.

The Solar Energy Industries Association surveyed more than 700 companies across the country since the investigation was announced in March.

In Pennsylvania, it found 79 percent of responding companies have had panel shipments delayed or canceled. The supply chain for about half of the state’s utility-scale solar projects is disrupted.

SEIA said 330 megawatts worth of projects have been delayed or canceled in the commonwealth.

Pennsylvania has a total generation capacity of more than 48,000 MW. It takes 1 MW to power about 200 homes.

SEAI said added taxes could cost the industry up to 100,000 jobs nationwide.

It also claimed tariffs will cause solar capacity to fall short of Biden’s goal to get the country to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035.

The Biden Administration did not respond to a request for comment.

Some Pennsylvania communities have been grappling with whether they want to welcome large solar projects.

While a few have gone up with no debate, others have drawn a dividing line between neighbors.

Supervisors in Mount Joy Township, near Gettysburg, voted last year to deny a key permit to a planned 75 MW project. In Lebanon County, North Annville Township Supervisors voted this month to not allow a similarly-sized project there.

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About StateImpact Pennsylvania

StateImpact Pennsylvania is a collaboration among WITF, WHYY, and the Allegheny Front. Reporters Reid Frazier, Rachel McDevitt and Susan Phillips cover the commonwealth’s energy economy. Read their reports on this site, and hear them on public radio stations across Pennsylvania.

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