flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Biden China policy may spur more increased U.S. PV manufacturing capacity

Codes and Standards

Biden China policy may spur more increased U.S. PV manufacturing capacity

Senate bill proposes advanced solar manufacturing production credit.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | June 29, 2021

The Biden administration is reportedly considering banning imports of a critical solar panel material—polysilicon—from China’s Xinjiang region.

About half the world’s polysilicon supply comes from Xinjiang, where the Chinese government has been accused of rounding up hundreds of thousands of ethnic Uyghur Muslims as part of what the State Department has called a “genocide.” The administration is also reportedly considering a narrower ban focused on polysilicon made with forced labor from specific manufacturers.

The potential moves would crack down on human rights abuses, but could drive up PV prices and hurt the administration’s ambitious climate change goals. The import restriction would be similar to ones the Trump administration placed on cotton, tomatoes, and other products exported from Xinjiang.

Biden’s action, along with a bill sponsored by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff for an advanced solar manufacturing production credit for domestic solar manufacturers, could spur the development of additional domestic manufacturing capacity.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Mar 28, 2019

Swinerton forms new mass timber business group

Will pursue new projects being developed with mass timber.

Codes and Standards | Mar 27, 2019

Shortage of skilled construction workers resulting in missed deadlines

Some 40% of contractors have turned down project offers.

Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2019

ICC release 2019 guidelines for safe use of repurposed shipping containers

Provides in-depth, technical overview on how to design, review, and approve shipping containers as building elements.

Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2019

Tool helps cities develop framework for life-cycle energy policies and track progress

Identifies policies, funding sources to address building energy use.

Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2019

New York City contractors adding 5% to 10% to construction costs due to trade war

Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other materials swell budgets.

Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2019

Codes organizations to develop new guidelines on shipping containers as building components

Intl. Code Council and Modular Building Institute combine forces.

Codes and Standards | Mar 19, 2019

Plan for transformation of Lower Manhattan streetscapes unveiled

Pedestrian-friendly “Slow Streets” pilot starts on Earth Day 2019.

Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2019

Newly developed building materials could have big impact on sustainability

Transparent wood, self-cooling walls, bricks that filter air pollutants among the technological breakthroughs.

Codes and Standards | Mar 14, 2019

U.S. and Canada differ on how to evaluate field performance of windows, curtain walls

Variations include laboratory test method for determining rate of air leakage.

Codes and Standards | Mar 13, 2019

Climate change can’t be stabilized without addressing urban sprawl

Even if power goes green, transportation will still be a major emissions source.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021