SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On December 7, 2012, Commerce published the AD and CVD orders on solar cells from China in the Federal Register .^[1] On February 18, 2015, Commerce published the AD and CVD orders on solar products from China in the Federal Register .^[2]

On April 23, 2026, RNG, a producer and exporter of subject merchandise, requested, through CCRs, revocation of the solar cells and solar products Orders, in part, with respect to certain small off-grid portable CSPV panels, pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.216(b).^[3] On May 28, 2026, RNG filed a letter from the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing (the Alliance), a U.S. consortium of producers of the domestic like product and a petitioner in the original underlying investigations, in which the Alliance stated that it did not oppose the partial revocation of the solar cells and solar products Orders proposed by RNG.^[4] T1 Energy Inc., a U.S. producer of domestic like products, also filed a letter stating that it did not oppose the partial revocation of the solar cells and solar products Orders proposed by RNG.^[5]

On June 8, 2026, Commerce extended the deadline to initiate by 45 days to July 22, 2026, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.302(b).^[6]

Scope of the Solar Cells Orders

The merchandise covered by the Solar Cells Orders is crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, and modules, laminates, and panels, consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products, including, but not limited to, modules, laminates, panels and building integrated materials.

These Orders cover crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of thickness equal to or greater than 20 micrometers, having a p/n junction formed by any means, whether or not the cell has undergone other processing, including, but not limited to, cleaning, etching, coating, and/or addition of materials (including, but not limited to, metallization and conductor patterns) to collect and forward the electricity that is generated by the cell.

Merchandise under consideration may be described at the time of importation as parts for final finished products that are assembled after importation, including, but not limited to, modules, laminates, panels, building-integrated modules, building-integrated panels, or other finished goods kits. Such parts that otherwise meet the definition of merchandise under consideration are included in the scope of these Orders.

Modules, laminates, and panels produced in a third country from cells produced in China are covered by this Order; however, modules, laminates, and panels produced in China from cells produced in a third country are not covered by this Order.

Excluded from the scope of these Orders are thin film photovoltaic products produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding 10,000 mm² in surface area, that are permanently integrated into a consumer good whose function is other than power generation and that consumes the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell. Where more than one cell is permanently integrated into a consumer good, the surface area for purposes of this exclusion shall be the total combined surface area of all cells that are integrated into the consumer good.

Additionally, excluded from the scope of these Orders are panels with surface area from 3,450 mm² to 33,782 mm² with one black wire and one red wire (each of type 22 AWG or 24 AWG not more than 206 mm in length when measured from panel extrusion), and not exceeding 2.9 volts, 1.1 amps, and 3.19 watts. For the purposes of this exclusion, no panel shall contain an internal battery or external computer peripheral ports.

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are: ( printed page 47812)

(1) Off grid CSPV panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with the following characteristics:

(A) a total power output of 100 watts or less per panel;

(B) a maximum surface area of 8,000 cm² per panel;

(C) do not include a built-in inverter;

(D) must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in either an 8mm male barrel connector, or a two-port rectangular connector with two pins in square housings of different colors;

(E) must include visible parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters across each solar cell; and

(F) must be in individual retail packaging (for purposes of this provision, retail packaging typically includes graphics, the product name, its description and/or features, and foam for transport); and

(2) Off grid CSPV panels without a glass cover, with the following characteristics:

(A) a total power output of 100 watts or less per panel;

(B) a maximum surface area of 8,000 cm² per panel;

(C) do not include a built-in inverter;

(D) must include visible parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 1-4 millimeters across each solar cell; and

(E) each panel is

1. permanently integrated into a consumer good;

2. encased in a laminated material without stitching, or

3. has all of the following characteristics: (i) the panel is encased in sewn fabric with visible stitching, (ii) includes a mesh zippered storage pocket, and (iii) includes a permanently attached wire that terminates in a female USB-A connector.

In addition, the following CSPV panels are excluded from the scope of these Orders:

(1) Off-grid CSPV panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with each of the following physical characteristics, whether or not assembled into a fully completed off-grid hydropanel whose function is conversion of water vapor into liquid water:

(A) A total power output of no more than 80 watts per panel;

(B) A surface area of less than 5,000 cm² per panel;

(C) Do not include a built-in inverter;

(D) Do not have a frame around the edges of the panel;

(E) Include a clear glass back panel; and

(F) Must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in a two-port rectangular connector.

Additionally excluded from the scope of these Orders are off-grid small portable crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, with or without a glass cover, with the following characteristics: (1) a total power output of 200 watts or less per panel; (2) a maximum surface area of 16,000 cm² per panel; (3) no built-in inverter; (4) an integrated handle or a handle attached to the package for ease of carry; (5) one or more integrated kickstands for easy installation or angle adjustment; and (6) a wire of not less than 3 meters either permanently connected or attached to the package that terminates in an 8mm diameter male barrel connector.

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are off-grid crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels in rigid form with a glass cover, with each of the following physical characteristics, whether or not assembled into a fully completed off-grid hydropanel whose function is conversion of water vapor into liquid water:

(A) A total power output of no more than 180 watts per panel at 155 degrees Celsius;

(B) A surface area of less than 16,000 cm² per panel;

(C) Include a keep-out area of approximately 1,200 cm² around the edges of the panel that does not contain solar cells;

(D) Do not include a built-in inverter;

(E) Do not have a frame around the edges of the panel;

(F) Include a clear glass back panel;

(G) Must include a permanently connected wire that terminates in a two-port rounded rectangular, sealed connector;

(H) Include a thermistor installed into the permanently connected wire before the two-port connector; and

(I) Include exposed positive and negative terminals at opposite ends of the panel, not enclosed in a junction box.

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are off-grid CSPV panels in rigid form, with or without a glass cover, permanently attached to an aluminum extrusion that is an integral component of an automation device that controls natural light, whether or not assembled into a fully completed automation device that controls natural light, with the following characteristics:

(1) A total power output of 20 watts or less per panel; (2) A maximum surface area of 1,000 cm² per panel; (3) Does not include a built-in inverter for powering third party devices.

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are off-grid CSPV panels for dedicated powering of a single low-voltage device (60Vdc or less) that:

(A) Have a glass cover;

(B) Have an aluminum frame around the edges of each panel;

(C) Have a total power output of 140 watts or less per panel;

(D) Are of an elongated rectangular shape such that the long side is at least 3.5 times the length of the short side;

(E) Have a surface area of less than 8,200 cm² per panel;

(F) Connect to device with 12-16 American Wire Gauge wires between 1200 mm and 1310 mm in length; and

(G) Do not include a built-in inverter.

Merchandise covered by these Orders is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff System of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 8501.71.0000, 8501.72.1000, 8501.72.2000, 8501.72.3000, 8501.72.9000, 8501.80.1000, 8501.80.2000, 8501.80.3000, 8501.80.9000, 8507.20.8010, 8507.20.8031, 8507.20.8041, 8507.20.8061, 8507.20.8091, 8541.42.0010, and 8541.43.0010. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of the Orders are dispositive.

Scope of the Solar Products Orders

The merchandise covered by the Solar Products Orders is modules, laminates and/or panels consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products, including building integrated materials. For purposes of these Orders, subject merchandise includes modules, laminates and/or panels assembled in China consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells produced in a customs territory other than China.

Subject merchandise includes modules, laminates and/or panels assembled in China consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of thickness equal to or greater than 20 micrometers, having a p/n junction formed by any means, whether or not the cell has undergone other processing, including, but not limited to, cleaning, etching, coating, and/or addition of addition of materials (including, but not limited to, metallization and conductor patterns) to collect and forward the electricity that is generated by the cell.

Excluded from the scope of these Orders are thin film photovoltaic products produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are modules, laminates and/or panels assembled in China, consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding 10,000 mm² in surface ( printed page 47813) area, that are permanently integrated into a consumer good whose function is other than power generation and that consumes the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Where more than one module, laminate and/or panel is permanently integrated into a consumer good, the surface area for purposes of this exclusion shall be the total combined surface area of all modules, laminates and/or panels that are integrated into the consumer good.

Further, also excluded from the scope of these Orders are any products covered by the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, laminates and/or panels, from China.

Additionally, excluded from the scope of these Orders are solar panels that are: (1) less than 300,000 mm² in surface area; (2) less than 27.1 watts in power; (3) coated across their entire surface with a polyurethane doming resin; and (4) joined to a battery charging and maintaining unit (which is an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) box that incorporates a light emitting diode (LED)) by coated wires that include a connector to permit the incorporation of an extension cable. The battery charging and maintaining unit utilizes high-frequency triangular pulse waveforms designed to maintain and extend the life of batteries through the reduction of lead sulfate crystals. The above-described battery charging and maintaining unit is currently available under the registered trademark “SolarPulse.”

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are off-grid crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels without a glass cover with the following characteristics: (1) total power output of 500 watts or less per panel; (2) maximum surface area of 8,000 cm^[2] per panel; (3) unit does not include a built-in inverter; (4) unit has visible parallel grid collector metallic wire lines every 2-40 millimeters across each solar panel (depending on model); (5) solar cells are encased in laminated frosted PET material without stitching; ^[7] (6) the panel is encased in polyester fabric with visible stitching which includes a Velcro-type storage pocket and unit closure, or encased within a Neoprene clamshell (depending on model); and (7) includes LED indicator.

Additionally excluded from the scope of these Orders are off-grid small portable crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, with or without a glass cover, with the following characteristics: (1) a total power output of 200 watts or less per panel; (2) a maximum surface area of 16,000 cm² per panel; (3) no built-in inverter; (4) an integrated handle or a handle attached to the package for ease of carry; (5) one or more integrated kickstands for easy installation or angle adjustment; and (6) a wire of not less than 3 meters either permanently connected or attached to the package that terminates in an 8 mm diameter male barrel connector.

Also excluded from the scope of these Orders are off-grid CSPV panels in rigid form, with or without a glass cover, permanently attached to an aluminum extrusion that is an integral component of an automation device that controls natural light, whether or not assembled into a fully completed automation device that controls natural light, with the following characteristics: (1) a total power output of 20 watts or less per panel; (2) a maximum surface area of 1,000 cm² per panel; (3) does not include a built-in inverter for powering third party devices.

Merchandise covered by these Orders is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 8501.61.0000, 8507.20.8030, 8507.20.8040, 8507.20.8060, 8507.20.8090, 8541.40.6015, 8541.40.6020, 8541.40.6030, 8541.40.6035, and 8501.31.8000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of the Orders is dispositive.

Proposed Partial Revocation of the Orders

The products subject to the proposed revocation are off-grid small crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels, with or without a glass cover, with the following characteristics:

(A) A total power output of 200 watts or less per panel;

(B) A maximum surface area of 16,000 cm² per panel;

(C) A wire either permanently connected or attached to the package terminates in waterproof connector with a cylindrical positive electrode and a rectangular negative electrode with the positive and negative electrodes having an interlocking structure;

(D) Do not include a built-in inverter; and

(E) Must be in individual retail packaging (for purposes of this provision, retail packaging typically includes graphics, the product name, its description and/or features).

Initiation of CCRs and Consideration of Revocation of the Orders, in Part

Pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the Act, when Commerce receives information concerning, or a request from an interested party ^[8] I for a review of affirmative final determinations by Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission that resulted in an AD or CVD order, which shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review of an order, Commerce shall conduct a changed circumstances review of the order.^[9] In accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(d), Commerce determines that the information submitted by RNG and the letters of no opposition to partial revocation of each of the Orders with respect to the products described by RNG constitute a sufficient basis to conduct CCRs of the Orders.^[10]

Section 782(h)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.222(g)(1)(i) provide that Commerce may revoke an order (in whole or in part) if it determines that producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product have expressed a lack of interest in the order, in whole or in part. In its administrative practice, Commerce has interpreted “substantially all” to mean producers accounting for at least 85 percent of the total U.S. production of the domestic like product covered by the order.^[11] A consortium of U.S. producers, the Alliance, and one domestic producer, T1 Energy, stated that they do not object to the partial revocation of the Orders proposed by RNG.^[12] However, because neither the Alliance nor T1 indicated whether they account for substantially all of the U.S. production of the domestic like product covered by the Orders, we are not combining this notice of initiation with an expedited preliminary determination, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii).^[13] Rather, Commerce ( printed page 47814) will provide interested parties with an opportunity to address the issue of domestic industry support with respect to the partial revocation of the Orders, as explained below. After examining comments and other factual information, if any, concerning domestic industry support, we will issue the preliminary results of these CCRs.

Request for Public Input

Interested parties are invited to provide comments and factual information concerning the requested partial revocation of these Orders, including comments on industry support and the proposed partial revocation language. Comments and factual information may be submitted to Commerce no later than 14 days after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register . Rebuttal comments and rebuttal factual information may be filed with Commerce no later than seven days after the comments or factual information are filed.^[14]

All submissions must be filed electronically using Enforcement Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS).^[15] Each submission must be filed on all of the records for each of the four proceedings subject to these CCRs. An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due dates set forth in this notice.

Preliminary and Final Results of Changed Circumstances Reviews

Commerce intends to publish in the Federal Register a notice of the preliminary results of these CCRs in accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4) and (c)(3)(i). Commerce will set forth its preliminary factual and legal conclusions in that notice. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4)(ii), interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the preliminary results. Unless extended, Commerce will issue the final results of these CCRs in accordance with the time limits set forth in 19 CFR 351.216(e).

Notification to Interested Parties

This initiation notice is published in accordance with section 751(b)(1) of the Act, 19 CFR 351.216(b) and 19 CFR 351.222.

91 FR 47811