# 2026-18942: Laos solar panels taxed over unfair government subsidies

2026-18942, Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules From the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part, is a Federal Register notice from Commerce Department, International Trade Administration published 2026-09-16, effective 2026-09-16; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-23).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18942
- As of: 2026-09-23
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-18942
- Title: Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules From the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Commerce Department; International Trade Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 58638
- Published: 2026-09-16
- Effective: 2026-09-16
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-09-23

## In one line

Laos solar panels taxed over unfair government subsidies

## Summary

The U.S. Department of Commerce found that solar cell makers in Laos are getting unfair government help, so they’re adding extra taxes on these products starting September 16, 2026. This means U.S. solar businesses get a fairer chance, and importers will pay more when bringing these solar cells into the country. The changes cover products made or assembled in Laos during 2024.

## Abstract

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules (solar cells), from the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos). The period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

## Effects PRIA read

- Very High Countervailing Duty Rates: cost, high. Commerce found countervailable subsidies for solar cells from Laos and set estimated ad valorem subsidy rates of 82.03% for Solarspace Technology (Laos) Sole Co. Ltd., 153.67% for Vietnam Sunergy Joint Stock Company (VSUN) (based on facts available with adverse inferences), and 82.03% for all other…
- Retroactive Suspension for VSUN and Others: cost, high. Commerce found critical circumstances for VSUN and all other producers/exporters (but not Solarspace Laos) and will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of unliquidated entries of subject merchandise from VSUN and all others that were entered, or withdrawn from w…
- Solarspace Laos Exempt From Retroactive Rule: mixed, medium. Commerce determined that critical circumstances do not exist for Solarspace Technology (Laos) Sole Co. Ltd., so the retroactive suspension of liquidation to November 28, 2025 does not apply to entries of subject merchandise from Solarspace Laos. Suspension of liquidation requirements described for…
- Narrow Product Scope and Many Exclusions: cost, medium. The investigation covers crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells (cells ≥20 micrometers and associated modules/laminates/panels) with many specific exclusions for defined small/off‑grid panels, consumer goods with integrated cells, and other narrowly described products. The notice lists relev…

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## Sources
- [2026-18942 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/16/2026-18942/crystalline-silicon-photovoltaic-cells-whether-or-not-assembled-into-modules-from-the-lao-peoples)
- [2026-18942 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-16/pdf/2026-18942.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18942 (as of 2026-09-23).