Solar Tariffs: What Washington Homeowners Need to Know

New tariffs are set to increase the cost of solar installs in Washington.

On August 4, President Trump introduced new tariffs on imported solar materials, including solar panels, cells, and raw polysilicon. The tariffs will take effect on December 4, and price increases may be felt by Washington homeowners as early as Q1 of 2027.

If you’re considering solar in Washington, here’s what you need to know about President Trump’s latest solar tariffs.

 

Trump’s New Solar Tariffs Explained

Starting December 4, 2026, covered imported solar materials will face an additional 15% tariff and be required to satisfy a Minimum Import Price (MIP). The MIP will function as a price floor, preventing products from entering the U.S. market at an artificially cheap price.

While the 15% tariff is fixed, the MIP can be adjusted over time to reflect market conditions. Here are the MIPs for solar materials as of early September 2026:

 

Product	Minimum import price	Exempt from 15% tariff
Polysilicon	$21/kg	Yes
Ingots & wafers	$100/kg	No
Solar cells	$0.22/watt	No
Solar modules/panels	$0.38/watt	No

 

Why these materials? Polysilicon is the key input for silicon-based solar panels, as well as computer chips. Ingots and wafers are two materials used to make solar panels, and solar cells turn silicon wafers into electricity generators. A solar module, or panel, is the finished product that combines photovoltaic cells in a frame with protective glass and wiring.

President Trump proclaimed this latest round of solar tariffs under Section 232, a provision of U.S. trade law that allows the president to restrict imports when the government determines the imports threaten U.S. national security. Unlike previous tariffs that have been overturned by the courts, these latest tariffs have strong legal footing under Section 232.

 

How Will Section 232 Tariffs Impact the U.S. Solar Market?

Two things are expected to happen to the U.S. solar market as a result of these new tariffs: 1) investment in U.S. solar manufacturing will grow, and 2) the cost of installing solar will also grow.

Manufacturers already set up to produce their own solar panel components such as wafers and solar cells will face less competition from foreign imports. However, manufacturers still reliant on imported solar materials will pay more, increasing downstream costs for installers and the customers they serve.

Why can’t these manufacturers simply make the switch to solar materials made in the U.S.? The problem is supply. The U.S. lacks the capacity to produce polysilicon, ingots, and wafers to meet the current domestic demand.

This may change over time, but for now, installers like Solterra Solar that use U.S.-made panels are going to feel the effects.

 

How Will Section 232 Tariffs Impact the Cost of Solar in Washington?

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when and by how much prices will rise for local manufacturers, installers, and homeowners considering solar.

Since the Trump administration announced the new solar tariff in early August, companies have rushed to acquire solar panels and materials at pre-tariff rates. But with every company vying for the same limited inventory, tariff impacts can only be delayed for so long. Solterra Solar may ask you to put down your deposit earlier in the process to help secure your system at a pre-tariff price.

One local supplier predicts Washington homeowners could see prices increase as early as Q1 of 2027, potentially paying as much as 45-55 cents per watt more for their residential system.

 

An Overview: Solar Tariffs in the U.S.

Tariffs continue to dominate headlines, with unpredictable rollouts and rollbacks breeding uncertainty for U.S. businesses and consumers. Solar tariffs are no exception. Let’s take a step back to understand the big picture of solar tariffs in the U.S. in 2026.

 

Which solar tariffs are old news?

Section 201, an older safeguard tariff on imported crystalline-silicon solar cells and modules, expired in February 2026. The new Section 232 tariff is a broadening of Section 201.

 

Which solar tariffs are in effect now?

It is no secret that China is dominating the solar and battery race. Section 301 features 50% tariffs specifically targeting Chinese solar inputs and products, including polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules. Rates have increased substantially in recent years.

The U.S. also has antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) in place for China, Taiwan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Laos. Antidumping is an extra tax added when a foreign company sells a product in the U.S. for less than its fair market value or production cost. A countervailing duty is an extra tax added when a foreign government gives unfair financial help, like tax breaks or cheap land, to its local makers.

 

How will Section 301 and Section 232 work together?

Certain U.S. treaty partners (including the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) will receive a capped combined rate of 15%, while the UK faces a flat 10% tariff. The cap applies to the sum of the Section 232 duty and the applicable HTSUS Column 1 duty.

For countries like China, these new Section 232 duties stack on top of existing Section 301 and antidumping/countervailing duties, potentially pushing total rates past 65% or more. Since Section 232 is a global tariff, it could help mitigate the problem of Chinese manufacturers setting up shop in new countries to avoid U.S. tariffs.

 

Do Solar Tariffs Benefit the U.S.?

Tariff supporters see Section 232 as an effective tool to protect and grow the U.S. solar manufacturing industry. It especially helps incentivize investment in the trickier, more expensive stages of the supply chain.

Critics say that with these tariffs comes higher upfront procurement costs for manufacturers, which will be felt downstream by suppliers, installers, and homeowners switching to solar. They worry that even if U.S. manufacturing grows, it won’t catch up with domestic demand quickly enough, deincentivizing solar installation projects at a time when energy prices are rising rapidly.

Whether the tariffs have the intended effect or not, one thing is clear: prices are about to go up for Washington homeowners switching to solar.

 

Go Solar Before Tariffs Raise Prices

Want to lock in lower solar prices before tariffs take effect? Get a free quote today. We’ll connect you with a solar design consultant who can answer all your questions, no commitment required.

P.S. Solar tariffs aren’t the only reason to sign your solar contract before 2027. Early next year, Western Washington utilities are expected to announce changes to 1:1 net metering (our state’s most powerful solar incentive). These changes could seriously impact energy savings for homeowners switching to solar. Get a free quote today to maximize your future solar savings.

 

 

 

Author Bio:

Sarah Taylor (she/her) is the marketing director for Solterra Solar. With nearly a decade of experience helping mission-driven organizations connect with their audiences, she blends utility, empathy, and artistry to craft content that drives measurable business growth and positive change in local communities. When she isn’t poring over words with hot tea in hand, you can find her exploring the PNW’s unrivaled wild spaces or gently persuading her indoor cat, Lemon, to embrace life as an adventure cat.