The Department of Commerce recently released a statement following President Joe Biden’s recent proclamation on solar cells and modules.

In a June 6 news release, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo released a statement about the president's emergency declaration regarding the temporary duty-free importation of solar cells and modules from Southeast Asia in order to avoid disruptions to the electric power system.

“The Department of Commerce remains committed to protecting our economic and national security against unprecedented challenges," Raimondo said in the release. "As droughts cripple the west and Russia’s unwarranted invasion of Ukraine have placed increasing strains on America’s energy market, preventing disruptions to the electric power system, diversifying our energy sources and responding to the climate crisis have never been more urgent, and solar energy is an essential component of meeting those needs."

The decision to permit duty-free solar imports will help to invest in expanding domestic solar manufacturing and strengthening supply chains to protect long-term energy security in the U.S., according to the release. Doing so will allow imported solar panels to remain an important component for addressing the immediate demands of putting additional energy sources online and addressing the energy needs of the American people.

"Pursuant to the president’s proclamation, the Department of Commerce will issue regulations to temporarily permit, for up to 24 months, duty-free access to solar cells and modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. We will continue to rigorously enforce U.S. trade laws, hold our trading partners accountable and defend U.S. industries and workers from unfair imports," added Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Enforcement and Compliance Lisa Wang, according to the release.