At GPEC, we’re working hard to stimulate foreign-direct investment and protect the Valley’s flourishing renewable energy industry.  We’re filing a formal letter of protest to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Council (ITC) against the tariffs recently imposed on Chinese-manufactured solar supplies. We also plan to testify before the ITC at an official hearing of this investigation.

Our solar industry is important. In Arizona, approximately 9,128 direct jobs are associated with renewable energy companies and utility-scale projects. And in addition to Suntech, a China-based solar company with operations in Phoenix, there are another dozen Chinese companies that have identified Greater Phoenix as a potential location for solar projects.

“We have no doubt the tariff will not only cause solar companies to alter their business models, but also make future Chinese investment in Arizona nearly impossible,” GPEC President and CEO Barry Broome said. For details on how solar tariffs will affect the Valley’s solar industry, visit www.gpec.org/tariff.