For 90 Days Anyway…
Trade wars will not increase the cost of solar systems in the next 90 days. Postponing tariffs between the US and China will allow homeowners to purchase solar without being impacted by the 15% tariff increase after January 1, 2018. This tariff would have directly impacted the cost of solar inverters.
This tariff reprieve does not affect the 30% solar panel tariff (section 201) on modules comprised of cells not manufactured in the US that took effect in February 2018.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a temporary trade wars truce at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aries on December 1, 2018, for 90 days. During this time, officials from both countries will continue to negotiate unresolved issues regarding technology transfer, intellectual property and agriculture.
If after 90 days, the US and China are unable to reach an agreement, the 10% tariffs will increase to 25% and this will impact many items, including solar installations.