SEMA urges solar policy reform, citing China dependency

11 Apr 2024 CW Team

After US Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen's visit to China, the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition urged immediate White House and Treasury action regarding the issues confronting domestic solar manufacturing. The coalition expressed worries about the accumulation of below-cost imported solar modules and requested an update to the domestic content bonus credit rules of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

SEMA highlighted that the existing credit system allows modules mainly made in China to be treated as if they were produced in the US with minimal domestic processing. According to them, this policy undermines local manufacturers and increases US reliance on Chinese solar products.

Mike Carr, Executive Director of SEMA Coalition, stated, "We?re heartened that Secretary Yellen acknowledged the unlevel playing field from which Chinese-headquartered solar manufacturers are currently benefiting and the fragility inherent in the U.S.?s dependence on China for solar. But it?s time to act. The White House must act aggressively to re-balance the playing field and end the destructive race to the bottom we are currently in with importers."

The Coalition advocates for policies supporting the expansion of a sustainable domestic solar manufacturing supply chain, with an emphasis on including U.S.-produced solar grade polysilicon and solar wafer in the Domestic Content Bonus calculation.

Carr added, "The government is facilitating a dependence on China that we wouldn?t allow in any other sector; we must ensure our stability and security as we transition to clean energy."

A report commissioned by SEMA and authored by Guidehouse Insights highlighted the opportunity and policy recommendations for onshoring the solar manufacturing industry to strengthen US energy security and address the challenges posed by the current dominance of foreign interests in the industry.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..