U.S. International Trade Commission Allows New Participant in Solar Trade Case
Estimated reading time: 2–5 minutes
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has made a decision regarding its investigation into certain solar products. The case focuses on TOPCon solar cells and related items. The ITC has decided not to review an important initial decision. This decision was to let IC Star Solar (USA) LLC, also known as Imperial Star, join the investigation.
The investigation began on March 30th, 2026. It is based on a complaint by First Solar, Inc. First Solar is based in Phoenix, Arizona. They claim there are violations of the Tariff Act of 1930. This involves the import of TOPCon solar items. First Solar says these products infringe on a U.S. patent they own.
The Commission’s investigation names different groups as respondents. These groups include companies from the U.S., China, Canada, Germany, and other countries. They are involved in making and selling the solar products in question.
First Solar had already agreed that IC Star Solar (USA) LLC could join the investigation, as long as it did not delay the process. They believe more time is needed for everything to go smoothly. The Office of Unfair Import Investigations agreed with this, too.
The addition of IC Star Solar (USA) LLC was decided on June 25, 2026. No one opposed this decision. The ITC vote to keep this decision was made on July 27, 2026. This case shows the ITC’s role in handling trade disputes in the U.S. It also highlights the complex nature of international trade in solar products.
The authority for this decision comes from the Tariff Act of 1930. It highlights how laws from the past continue to affect today’s trade issues.
Legal Disclaimer
This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.
