Shares of Indian Solar Firms Plummet After US Tariffs
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, Feb 25 (NationPress) The stock prices of Indian solar and renewable energy firms took a significant hit in early trading on Wednesday following the announcement of preliminary countervailing tariffs by the US Commerce Department, which are set at approximately 125.87% on solar cell and panel imports from India.
Shares of Waaree Energies plummeted by as much as 14.6% to Rs 2,580.50, reaching the lower circuit limit, before bouncing back to Rs 2,724, a decrease of 9.90%. Meanwhile, Premier Energies experienced a 4.57% drop, trading at Rs 741.55, after an earlier slide to an intra-day low of Rs 666.90.
Other companies also faced declines: Vikram Solar fell by nearly 7%, Waaree Renewable Technologies dropped over 6%, Solex Energy saw a decline of about 5%, Saatvik Green Energy decreased by nearly 3%, and Borosil Renewables lost just over 1%.
As per a fact sheet from the US Commerce Department, these countervailing subsidies are a response to what is perceived as unfair subsidies provided by exporting countries.
The subsidy rates were established at 125.87% for India, 104.38% for Indonesia, and 80.67% for Laos, following a petition from the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, which includes major players like Hanwha Qcells, First Solar, and Mission Solar.
The Commerce Department is expected to issue another decision in March regarding whether exporters from these three nations sold their products in the US at prices below production costs, which could lead to additional anti-dumping duties.
Last year, solar panel imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos were valued at around $4.5 billion, representing approximately two-thirds of the total US solar imports projected for 2025, as reported by the US department.
Additionally, the White House clarified last week that India would be subject to a temporary 10% tariff starting February 24. The Trump administration suggested the possibility of invoking further tariff authorities in the upcoming weeks.
During a recent press conference, Trump hinted that other statutes, including Sections 232 and 301, remain available and could facilitate further actions.
aar/na