Vivint Solar responds to solar panel tariff

(Salt Lake City, UT) — One of America’s largest solar companies is disappointed that the Trump administration is imposing a tariff on imported solar panels.

Utah-based Vivint Solar released a statement yesterday in reaction to a 30 percent import tariff on solar panels made overseas.

“As one of the largest residential solar companies in the U.S., we are disappointed in the decision made by the Trump administration to set a tariff on imported solar panels,” said Vivint Solar CEO David Bywater in a statement.

The President framed the tariff as a move to help U.S. manufacturers become more competitive against importers from China and other countries.

Solar companies say the higher cost of the panels will lead to increased prices that will be passed on to consumers.

Vivint stocks rose Tuesday after the President’s announcement. Vivint rose 6.3 percent to $3.78 at 9:50 a.m. in New York, after earlier climbing as much as 9.9 percent.