See-Through Solar Panels Get Fast-Track in SC Trade Zone
Published Date: 8/7/2026
Notice
Summary
Translucent Solar, LLC wants to make solar panels in Summerville, South Carolina, using some imported parts with special duty rules inside Foreign-Trade Zone 21. This move could save money on import taxes and speed up production. Public comments are open until September 16, 2026, so folks can share their thoughts before the plan moves forward.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
FTZ use may lower import taxes
If you operate the Translucent Solar facility in Summerville, South Carolina (FTZ 21), using the Foreign-Trade Zone could save money on import taxes and speed production. The company filed its notification on July 31, 2026 and the public comment period closes September 16, 2026.
Finished solar modules are duty-free
The proposed finished product — solar photovoltaic modules made at the Summerville facility — is listed as duty-free when admitted to the zone. That means the finished modules themselves would not incur import duties under the FTZ admission described in the notice.
Component duties range from 0% to 5%
The notice lists foreign-status inputs such as low-iron patterned ARC solar glass, low-iron rear glass, and G12/G12R monocrystalline heterojunction cells. The duty rates for these components are stated to range from duty-free (0%) up to 5%.
Trade remedies require privileged foreign status
The notice states certain materials may be subject to section 301 duties depending on country of origin, and that those items must be admitted to the FTZ in privileged foreign (PF) status under 19 CFR 146.41. It also states crystalline photovoltaic cells imported from India are subject to an antidumping/countervailing duty (AD/CVD) order/investigation and likewise must be admitted in PF status.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15937, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 18, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Western Digital Technologies, Inc.; (Semiconductor Die); San Jose and Fremont California
2026-15804, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 12; Authorization of Production Activity; Avant Technology, Inc.; (Solid-State Drives and Memory Modules); Pharr, Texas
2026-15564, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 202, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Industrial Parts Depot, LLC; (Engine Parts and Components); Carson, California
2026-15422, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 153, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Aptera Motors Corp; (Solar Electric Vehicles); Carlsbad, California
Aptera Motors in Carlsbad, California wants to make solar electric vehicles using some imported parts with special trade benefits. This means they can save on import taxes (ranging from 0% to 5.5%) for parts like batteries, airbags, and body panels. The plan was officially submitted on July 23, 2026, and if approved, it could help Aptera build greener cars more affordably and faster.
2026-14967, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 45; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; SSI Shredding Systems, Inc.; (Industrial Shredders and Compactors); Wilsonville and Portland, Oregon
SSI Shredding Systems in Oregon got the green light to start limited production of industrial shredders and compactors in their Foreign-Trade Zone facilities. They must pay duties on steel and aluminum parts unless special trade rules apply. This change kicks in now and helps SSI grow while following trade rules.
2026-14969, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 38; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; GE Gas Turbines (Greenville) LLC; (Gas Turbines); Greenville, SC
GE Gas Turbines in Greenville, SC, got the green light to do some limited production in their Foreign-Trade Zone 38 facility. They can now make gas turbines with some rules about paying duties on certain metal parts. This update kicks in right away and helps GE manage costs while keeping trade fair.
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