Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Except as set forth below, and to the extent additional factual information disclosed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report relates to such risk factors (including, without limitation, the matters discussed in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” ), there were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, in our 2023 Annual Report .
Changes in the global trade environment, including the imposition of import tariffs, could adversely affect the amount or timing of our revenues, results of operations or cash flows.
Escalating trade tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, have led to increased tariffs and trade restrictions, including tariffs applicable to certain materials and components for our products or for products used in solar energy projects more broadly, such as module supply and availability. More specifically, in March 2018, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and has imposed additional tariffs on steel and aluminum imports pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. To the extent we continue to use overseas suppliers of steel and aluminum, these tariffs could result in interruptions in the supply chain and impact costs and our gross margins. In addition, the threat of potential tariffs can create uncertainty among our customers and slow down the rate of existing projects and projects in our orderbook.
For example, in January 2018, the U.S. adopted a tariff on imported solar modules and cells pursuant to Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974. The tariff was initially set at 30%, with a gradual reduction over four years to 15%. While this tariff does not apply directly to the components we import, it may indirectly affect us by impacting the financial viability of solar energy projects, which could in turn reduce demand for our products. On February 4, 2022, President Biden extended the safeguard tariff for an additional four years, starting at a rate of 14.75% and reducing that rate each year to 14% in 2026, and directed the U.S. Trade Representative to conclude agreements with Canada and Mexico on trade in solar products. On July 7, 2022, the U.S. and Canada entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding in which the U.S. agreed to suspend application of the safeguard tariff to Canadian crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported as of February 1, 2022. While this tariff does not apply directly to the components we import, it may indirectly affect us by impacting the financial viability of solar energy projects, which could in turn reduce demand for our products. Furthermore, in July 2018, the U.S. adopted a 10% tariff on a long list of products imported from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, including, inverters and power optimizers, which became effective on September 24, 2018. In June 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative increased the rate of such tariffs from 10% to 25%. While these tariffs are not directly applicable to our products, they could impact the solar energy projects in which our products are used, which could lead to unexpected delays or decreased demand for our products.
51
In June 2022, the U.S. President authorized the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to provide a 24-month AD/CVD tariff exemption for imported solar panels from certain Southeast Asian countries. The USDOC previously issued regulations implementing the AD/CVD moratorium in the event that it found circumvention with respect to such Southeast Asian countries. In August 2023, the USDOC issued final affirmative circumvention rulings, finding that solar panels completed in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam using parts and components produced in China circumvent the pre-existing AD/CVD orders on China.
On April 24, 2024, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, an ad hoc coalition of domestic producers of CSPV cells and modules, filed a petition with the USDOC and the USITC seeking the imposition of AD/CVD tariffs on imports of CSPV cells and modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The USITC made a preliminary affirmative determination on June 7, 2024, and the USDOC made its preliminary affirmative determination on October 1, 2024. The preliminary tariff rates varying from below 1% to almost 300%, depending on the relevant company.
While we do not sell solar modules, the degree of our exposure is dependent on, among other things, the impact of the AD/CVD orders on the projects that are also intended to use our products, with such impact being largely out of our control. We have seen a number of projects in our order book delayed as a result of the USDOC investigation, and effective enforcement of the AD/CVD orders could negatively impact our results of operations.
More broadly, legislation has been proposed that would make it easier for domestic companies to obtain affirmative determinations in antidumping and countervailing duties investigations. The proposed USICA/America COMPETES Act, if enacted, could result in future successful petitions that limit imports from Asia and other regions.
Additionally, in October 2023, a coalition of U.S. aluminum extruders and a labor union filed AD/CVD cases on aluminum extrusions from fifteen countries. The USDOC has initiated investigations based on the petitions. Certain components in our trackers, including certain clamps, U-joints, and bearing housings are made using extruded aluminum. Our operating results could be adversely impacted if the USDOC imposes duties on such imports. In April 2024, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, an ad hoc coalition of domestic producers of CSPV cells and modules, filed a petition with the USDOC and the USITC seeking the imposition of AD/CVD tariffs on imports of CSPV cells and modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The USITC made a preliminary affirmative determination on June 7, 2024, and the USDOC is expected to make its preliminary determination in November of 2024. We have been told by our customers that the uncertainty around the implementation of these tariffs has and could continue to result in delays in plans for their projects, which in turn has an impact on the timing of our project delivery.
Additionally, in October 2023, a coalition of U.S. aluminum extruders and a labor union filed AD/CVD cases on aluminum extrusions from fifteen countries. The USDOC has initiated investigations based on the petitions. Certain components in our trackers, including certain clamps, U-joints, and bearing housings are made using extruded aluminum. In September 2024, the USDOC released its final determination from their investigations against aluminum extrusions from multiple countries. On October 30, 2024, the USITC voted to find no injury in its pending AD/CVD investigation, meaning that the USDOC’s AD/CVD orders will not go into effect. The coalition of petitioners may still appeal the USITC’s decision, and we will continue to monitor developments in the appeal process. If the USITC’s decision is overturned on appeal, the imposition of AD/CVD orders could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
52
Tariffs and the possibility of additional tariffs and duties in the future like those described above have created uncertainty in the industry. If the price of solar systems in the U.S. increases, the use of solar systems could become less economically feasible and could reduce our gross margins or reduce the demand of solar systems manufactured and sold, which in turn may decrease demand for our products. Additionally, existing or future tariffs may negatively affect key customers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. Such outcomes could adversely affect the amount or timing of our revenues, results of operations or cash flows, and continuing uncertainty could cause sales volatility, price fluctuations or supply shortages or cause our customers to advance or delay their purchase of our products. It is difficult to predict what further trade-related actions governments may take, which may include additional or increased tariffs and trade restrictions, and we may be unable to quickly and effectively react to such actions.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.