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On Aug. 16, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which includes new and revised tax incentives for clean energy projects. This alert provides a summary of the IRA’s impact on tax credits for energy storage technologies, which were extended and significantly expanded. Additional alerts will provide summaries of the IRA focused on credits for other clean energy technologies.Continue Reading Inflation Reduction Act Creates New Tax Credit Opportunities for Energy Storage Projects

On Dec. 2, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) released its preliminary determinations over the ongoing investigation into whether solar cells and modules imported from certain Southeast Asian countries were circumventing U.S. duties on solar modules manufactured in the People’s Republic of China.

These findings arrive in the wake of a two-year moratorium on tariffs on solar cells and modules imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as a result of Presidential Proclamation 10414.

The investigation, which began in March 2022, was prompted by allegations made by U.S.-based solar manufacturers against their Chinese competitors, claiming that the accused companies were evading tariffs by selling their products through the four Southeast nations.   

The DOC released its preliminary determinations after a thorough investigation into eight companies based in the four Southeast Asian countries. The DOC preliminarily concluded that four of the eight companies were bypassing U.S. tariffs by exporting Chinese-made solar modules that were only sent to Southeast Asia for minor processing before shipment. The table below summarizes the DOC’s preliminary findings.Continue Reading Commerce Department Releases Preliminary Findings on Chinese Solar Manufacturers’ Alleged Circumvention

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) created many new and revised tax incentives to develop clean energy projects. Among many of these incentives, Congress included a requirement that taxpayers meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PWA) standards in the construction of a project to foster growth in good-paying jobs in the energy section. Taxpayers that do not meet these standards will be entitled to a tax benefit, but generally this results in an 80% haircut to the tax credit or deduction.Continue Reading IRS Issues Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Guidance — Starts 60-Day Clock

On Sept. 16, 2022, the Department of Commerce (DOC) issued its final rule effectuating a two-year moratorium on tariffs on certain solar cells and modules exported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

As discussed in McGuireWoods’ June 7, 2022, alert, “President Biden Orders Tariff Exemption for Solar Panels,” President Biden’s Proclamation 10414 issued on June 6, 2022, declared an emergency and authorized the Secretary of Commerce to allow the importation of solar cells and modules exported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam for up to two years.
Continue Reading Department of Commerce Issues Final Rule Imposing Tariff Moratorium for Solar Panels

On Aug. 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which includes new and revised tax incentives for clean energy projects. The IRA extends and significantly modifies the federal tax credits available for wind energy projects. This alert provides a summary for the wind industry. Additional alerts will provide summaries of the IRA focused on other clean energy technologies.
Continue Reading Inflation Reduction Act Extends and Modifies Tax Credits for Wind Projects

On July 27, 2022, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) introduced the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which proposes new and revised tax incentives for clean energy. The bill incorporates many, but not all, of the original proposals from last year’s Build Back Better Act. 
Continue Reading U.S. Senate Introduces the Inflation Reduction Act

On July 27, 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the release of the state’s third offshore wind solicitation. With this request for proposals (RFP), New York looks to secure at least 2,000 MW of additional offshore wind power generation — expanding on New York’s already approximately 4,300 MW generation portfolio and further positioning the state to meet its goal of at least 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035.
Continue Reading Gov. Kathy Hochul Releases New York’s Third Competitive Offshore Wind RFP Solicitation

Did you miss our July 14, 2022 webinar?

McGuireWoods is organizing a series of webinars and events for utilities, private equity, independent sponsors, energy developers and other market participants pursuing energy investments in the North American offshore wind sector.

Continue Reading Webinar Replay: Offshore Wind Market Update and Supply-Chain Investment Opportunities

Yesterday, June 6, 2022, President Biden ordered various emergency measures to combat a shortage of solar modules and related components in the United States, including declaring a tariff exemption of up to two years on certain solar cells and modules exported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Continue Reading President Biden Orders Tariff Exemption for Solar Panels

On March 28, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced it is investigating whether imports of solar panels assembled in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are circumventing duties intended to limit imports of solar cells and panels from China, in violation of anti-dumping rules. The announcement of an investigation is already impacting current and future solar developments using crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (CSPV).
Continue Reading U.S. Department of Commerce Investigation of Solar Panel Imports Puts Solar Projects at Risk