U.S. solar module assembly prices stabilize as trade cases and ownership shifts shake supply chains

This is mostly industry news, but it touches on why solar panel costs and tax credit rules keep shifting. Prices for U.S.-made solar panel assembly have held steady at around $0.30 per watt through May, June, and early July, after dipping to $0.295/W in April from $0.31/W earlier in the year.

Behind the scenes, big Chinese-owned panel makers have been selling off or restructuring their U.S. factories. This is a response to federal rules under the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that restrict tax credits for projects using panels tied too closely to foreign companies flagged as security concerns. Companies including Trina Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, and LONGi have sold or reduced their stakes in U.S. plants so panels made there can still qualify for the federal solar tax credit. Some analysts note that even with new U.S. owners, parts of the supply chain, like equipment and raw materials, may still trace back overseas, so how these rules get applied long-term is still unsettled.

Separately, a trade group has asked U.S. officials to investigate whether solar cells processed in South Korea are actually just relabeled Chinese products, which could lead to new tariffs. A decision on whether to open that investigation is expected July 9, 2026, with preliminary rulings later in the year.

For homeowners, none of this changes today's costs directly, but it's a reminder that panel pricing and tax credit eligibility can shift as trade and ownership rules evolve.