Trump signs Section 232 tariffs, placing minimum import price on polysilicon imports

The government has set new tariffs and price floors on imported solar materials, aimed at building up U.S. solar manufacturing. Starting December 4, 2026, a 15% tariff will apply to polysilicon (the raw material used to make solar panels) and related products, along with minimum prices for polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells, and finished solar modules. The move follows a national security review that found the U.S. relies too heavily on imported solar components, especially wafers and cells.

For homeowners thinking about solar panels, this points toward higher prices ahead. Industry estimates suggest module costs could rise by roughly $0.10 to $0.14 per watt depending on how much of the panel is made domestically versus imported, with the price of a fully imported module potentially jumping from about $0.24 to $0.38 per watt. Those increases would flow through to the cost of a home solar installation, though the changes don't take effect until December 2026, giving some lead time before pricing shifts.

Solar manufacturers with U.S. factories, including First Solar, Hanwha Q Cells, and T1 Energy, welcomed the move, saying it protects investments and jobs in domestic production. Some industry voices expect the policy to push more investment into U.S.-made wafers, a part of the supply chain that's been especially reliant on imports. For now, the practical takeaway for anyone considering solar is that equipment costs may climb in the next year or so as this policy takes hold, even though the details of how it plays out for specific installers and regions are still unfolding.