By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent
What Happened:
- Enphase requested an exemption from the ridiculous Section 201 tariffs President Trump imposed last month.
- The inverter is attached to modules abroad and imported as a combined product making it subject to 201 tariffs.
- They hired a high-powered K-Street lobbying firm to lead their, well, lobbying efforts.
Solar Wakeup’s View: Enphase has been working to turn itself around after management shakeups and hiring of management consults. While focusing on internal issues, Enphase was caught in the middle of the 201 tariff without ever thinking they would be subject to it. Now the inverter manufacturer has to fight its way out of a 30% increase in their cost, which is already well above string inverter costs.
First, they get credit for being the first non-module manufacturer to get actively involved in this fight. The fact they hail from another industry segment means the solar industry is coming to the realization that attacks on solar are attacks on all of us. 
Between this move and SEIA’s purported new direction, maybe the solar industry is finally going to fight back against those who want to destroy it.
Secondly, Enphase’s decision to enter the fray emphasizes that a global settlement on this tariff issue is becoming ever-more critical. This is not a U.S. industry, or a Chinese industry or an Indian industry; this is a global industry. Therefore, the knuckleheaded decisions of one country can send shockwaves through the industry around the globe. Meanwhile, these tariff fights between countries distract us from focusing on the essential task for spreading the solar gospel around the world and trying to stop the planet from burning to a crisp. Well, that and there’s a lot of money to be made the bigger we get. Let’s not discount that.
Lastly, Enphase has struggled in recent years to find its footing after competitor SolarEdge came into the market with a bang. I’ve always thought their response was timid. This news, coming as it does on the heels of a strong financial showing last quarter, means CEO Badri Kothandaraman is up for a good fight – and that could be good news for the company’s shareholders.
More: Another U.S. Solar Company Seeks Exemption From Trump’s Tariff (Bloomberg)