Bill Overview
Title: Protecting American Solar Jobs and Lowering Costs Act
Description: This bill repeals (1) the tariff-rate quota on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells; and (2) the increase in duties on imports of certain CSPV cells and other CSPV products, including modules. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Energy to carry out a program to support and incentivize manufacturing of solar energy components in the United States.
Sponsors: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: people involved with or benefited from the solar energy industry
Estimated Size: 25000000
- The repeal of tariffs on CPSV cells and modules could significantly impact global solar industry participants as the United States is a major market.
- The solar energy sector includes manufacturers, distributers, service providers, businesses, and consumers involved in solar energy production and use.
- Reduction in tariffs may lower costs for solar installations, potentially increasing adoption and benefiting end-users worldwide.
- The solar industry employs millions globally which indicates a substantial indirect impact.
- The Department of Energy program to support US manufacturing will bring a more specific focus to US manufacturers and workers in the solar industry.
Reasoning
- The policy being assessed involves repealing tariffs on solar products while incentivizing domestic solar manufacturing, which suggests that the population directly engaged in the solar industry or utilizing solar energy could see the largest impacts.
- The primary target beneficiaries include domestic solar manufacturers, workers, and companies aiming to reduce costs with local production, as well as consumers interested in solar energy for cost savings and environmental benefits.
- Given the size of the initial budget, the policy is likely to have considerable direct impacts on the jobs and cost perspectives in the solar sector, but indirect impacts like overall energy price changes will be slower, necessitating more gradual changes in wider societal wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Solar panel installation technician (California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Repealing tariffs will lower costs for solar panels, likely increasing demand for installations.
- Increased demand can lead to more stable work opportunities and potentially higher wages.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Renewable energy policy analyst (Massachusetts)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The removal of tariffs could be a double-edged sword; while it lowers costs, it may challenge domestic manufacturers.
- The Department of Energy incentives should help balance these dynamics by boosting US-based jobs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Owner of a small solar panel manufacturing business (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The repeal of tariffs might increase competition from overseas, threatening local businesses like mine.
- Energy Department programs could offer necessary support to keep us competitive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 1 |
Project manager for commercial solar projects (New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lower panel costs post-tariff could increase our execution capabilities and project numbers.
- If US-made panels improve via government programs, local sourcing can become standard.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Environmental activist and educator (Ohio)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased affordability of solar can lead to broader societal adoption, reducing carbon footprint.
- Educational efforts on local manufacturing successes can drive greater community support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired, interested in home solar installations (Arizona)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The potential reduction in solar installation costs would make solar energy more accessible for retirees.
- Improved domestic manufacturing could bring more reliable products to market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Renewable energy consultant (Colorado)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tariff suspensions lower entry barriers for solar, enhancing return on investment for businesses.
- Government support for US manufacturing can strengthen regional supply chains.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Hotel owner (Hawaii)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lower upfront costs could accelerate our transition to solar, offering long-term savings and marketing benefits.
- Programs supporting US-made solar components can be an appealing selling point.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Residential solar sales representative (Florida)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Repealing tariffs can reduce prices, making solar an easier sell to homeowners.
- Hopes the department's program leads to better financing options for clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Auto manufacturer interested in solar integration (Michigan)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing solar component costs makes energy transitions feasible for industrial applications.
- Supportive domestic policies can create a ripple effect across related sectors, including ours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1250000000, High: $1750000000)
Year 2: $1500000000 (Low: $1250000000, High: $1750000000)
Year 3: $1500000000 (Low: $1250000000, High: $1750000000)
Year 5: $1500000000 (Low: $1250000000, High: $1750000000)
Year 10: $1500000000 (Low: $1250000000, High: $1750000000)
Year 100: $1500000000 (Low: $1250000000, High: $1750000000)
Key Considerations
- Tariff repeal may initially benefit foreign manufacturers more than US ones, until domestic capacity builds.
- Establishing a competitive domestic manufacturing sector will require overcoming significant barriers to entry.
- Local employment effects depend on successful attraction of manufacturing firms to setup in the US.
- Handling competitiveness with existing foreign-established supply chains is critical.