About the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE)

The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy is a fast-growing coalition of American solar companies that believe free trade and industry competition are critical to making solar electricity affordable for everyone. CASE is united in its commitment to support the continued growth and development of the solar industry in America.

Global competition is making affordable solar energy a reality in America and around the world. The coalition is committed to growing a domestic solar industry, promoting innovation, and making solar an affordable option for all Americans. CASE opposes protectionist trade actions that are damaging to the American solar industry and, which could lead to thousands of job losses and place billions of dollars of current and future solar investments at risk. These actions are not in the best interests of the U.S. solar industry.

Protectionism drives up the price of solar electricity and negatively impacts more than 5,000 American solar companies, mostly small businesses, and more than 100,000 American jobs. In addition, the potential counteraction from countries being targeted, such as China, against American solar exports would also hurt America’s global leadership in selling solar equipment and raw materials to countries around the world. Finally, U.S.utilities have signed contracts for about 17 gigawatts of solar capacity, much of that using high-quality, cost-competitive solar cells and panels imported from all countries, including China. Selfish anti-trade actions places these contracts, along with state Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), at serious risk.

In a solar trade war, everyone loses. Protectionism is bad for the America solar industry, the economy, and the environment. We urge policymakers to find a resolution to SolarWorld’s short-sighted trade action so as to ensure continued investment and growth throughout the entire U.S. solar industry.