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US Anti-Dumping Probe Puts Indian Solar Exports at Risk

The US Commerce Department has initiated an anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigation into solar panel imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos, raising alarm among Indian exporters. If additional tariffs are imposed, India’s solar shipments to the US — valued at nearly Rs7,000 crore — could face severe setbacks, making exports economically unviable.

This development follows the US decision to levy 50% tariffs on Indian imports (excluding pharma and electronics). In FY24, Indian companies such as Waaree, Adani Enterprises, and Vikram Solar collectively exported around 4.4 GW of solar modules to the US, which accounted for over 95% of India’s total solar exports. The probe, therefore, poses a significant exposure risk for the domestic solar industry.

The petition, filed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade with support from major US solar firms, alleges dumping margins of 213.96% for India, 89.65% for Indonesia, and up to 249.09% for Laos, alongside claims of countervailable subsidies. If upheld, these allegations could lead to steep tariffs, jeopardizing India’s growing solar export market.

Industry experts caution that the imposition of duties could “completely jeopardize the industry,” stressing the need for a robust legal defence. They also point out that India’s support mechanisms, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and duty structures, are aligned with its climate goals and renewable manufacturing strategy. The dispute highlights broader global tensions between clean energy industrial policies and trade remedy frameworks under WTO rules.